#rivervale_lodge

"yeah, Siv and Dagmar... you should be proud of your daughter...and Jaymes deserves crowing rights for Dagmar. " He says "They not only quested hard for that mask, they got some extras and did some darn nice things"

"Is Siv ok? Whole?"

He blinks "What? Yes, of course she's okay. If they were injured badly I'd have broken Kerri's door down for them"

"Whole?"

"Whole like what? Like Whole wheat??" Vali says with confusion "She's fine"

"Vali." with great restraint "Is my daughter in one piece? With all the parts she left with??"

"Yes, arms, legs, everything" he says "What has you thinking she's not whole?"

"Both eyes?"

"of course both eyes" he says alarmed "i'd be carrying her safely frozen rear to the DeBukes for every ounce of spring and healing magics they had to restore an eye"

Frank actually sags, relieved.

"Good." A breath.

"Wait, is this about her eye patch?" Finally having time to think it over

Frank passes over the note.

He looks it over, then groans "Okay. I need to give her tips about accurate descriptions instead of misleading ones." A breath "Frank, she took the eye patch off this pirate stalker that was after her. She's got both eyes, it lets her see in the dark, and she swaps it from left to right, a LOT. She also thinks it makes her look saucy, but I think, as it messes with her depth perception a bit, she'll get bored with it eventually"

Frank listens carefully, like his life depends on it. He nods.
"Pirate stalker?"

"Yeah.. memory's a bit fuzzy..dreaming, you know? But apparently he clashes with her because he has a crush. She handled him pretty smoothly, took his eye patch, and found some info on where the mask was"

Frank......growls.

"Mask?"

"That was the goal. Tove's mother made this mask, it was left on THyle. Jaymes wanted to retreive it as a gift for his wife. Well, Dagmar found out, and wanted to go...stubborn girl. Then she got Siv to go captaining for this expedition... we went to Thyle, but it wasn't there, sold by ths scumball... then we captured the pirate who had it, only HE sold it.. .and then... it was won by providing riders for the exploding horse death race"

"Not that any horses died" He adds

A long pause. "Hmph."

"In fact, that's why we stol.eer liberated the horses. Poor animals were traumatized. We got them a new home, and Siv got this treasure for Fiona.. and we parted."

"Dagmar and Jaymes.... they are well?" Strongly stoic.

"Yes. Jaymes was a nervous wreck during the race. I thought he was going to tear the railing off the stands and start hitting people with it... but he held. Dagmar had a blast. They're both home in Tove's arms "

A longer pause. "Good."

"If... are you..." Frank stops.

"I'm fine too," he says "I'm sorry Siv didn't think her note through and scared you. If Had figured that out before I would have assured you"

Frank clears his throat. "Not your fault, Vali."

"The point of fact is, your daughters both take after you and Brekke in being very competent and heroic. I do remember something on Thyle by the way. You know they love a good boast?"

"My memories are not clear. I have notes, from our return...."

"Well, I know that when Siv stood up in the feast hall to boast, she boasted about you and Brekke"

"Hmmph."

"She's proud of you both. Thinks you hung the moon and her mom spit polishes the sun."

A tired sigh.

"Want me to refill your coffee there?"

"By the way, you do realize that any guy she settles on is going to have to be at least as good to her as you are to your wife? You set the bar pretty high. I feel sorry for Jonas and the other contenders"

"No, thank you, Vali." Calmly. "But thank you for your company. I am ... relieved to hear Siv is well, and the others."

"Any time" He says getting himself a cup of coffee even though he's not as into it as some, coffee that is, and sips, "I have news about Jessica if you like, sort of?"

Frank rubs..... well, his whole face. "Yes."

"She's doing great. Ash tells me she's working on liasons, stream lining the system, and learning to delegate while still keeping a firm hand on things"

"And?"

"She somehow managed to get a strong rehab program going ...in Tijuana, of all cities. In some casses that would lead to cartels destroying the place to keep folks hooked. But under her protection no one is touching it"

A deep breath. "Okay."

"And some of those Aslyum seekers were saved from a hate group. Did you know there were Mexicans who had hate groups against Houndurans? Wow." A sip "Anyway, she stopped a lynching"

And Vali fills Frank in on the good things he's heard about Fenix

(End Scene)