#rivervale_lodge

Frank is doing that most atypical of duties, getting the mail. The mailbox is not that close to the lodge. Discourage mortal intrusion on the place. As he sorts through them... he notices the usual, bills Kerri will want to sort out, some junk mail, ugh political fliers... and what's this? A letter from Missouri!

From one Siv King

The satyr boy races up, "Need those carried in, He-chief?"

He was told about Jack flap, even saw the boy asleep. Apparently bunk beds are to be worked on

but he has not yet talked to the boy AS himself.

Jack looks nervous.

swallowing. he is still skittish and scared but TRYING to be brave and help

There's a bit of glamour in the envelope. Siv wrote stuff in chimerical ink along with the mortal side.

"Yes, thank you, Jack. I am called Frank. Or Mountain." He offers his hand.

The boy looks at the immsense blue hand, tugs at his formerly busted ear out of nervousness, then shakes the hand "Yes, Mr. Frank Mountain. It's nice to meet you. " A nod "I can carry envelopes. Those aren't even heavy. I can carry em faster than most.. Cuz. legs"

Frank gives him all but Siv's letter.

And to prove his speed, the boy races ahead to the lodge carrying all but Siv's letter in. He is quick. That birthright

Frank strides calmly after him.

He regards the letter again.

Unopened, the only thing odd about it is..well, it's all hand written, and in cursive?

Normally Siv goes for blocky letters

hoofbeats, and the boy returns "I forgot to ask where you wanted them put, Mr Ore Mountain?"

"On my desk, there by the window, please." He taps the envelope on his fingers.

"right away , Sir. I am good at this" And zoom the boy is gone in again

tends to slam the door, but that's from enthusiasm

Frank follows him in, shutting the door gently.

And It's just him and Jack Flap it seems. The boy stares around the lodge like he still can't believe he lives in a land of giants. He sometimes flinches if adults make sudden moves... a habit that makes more than one troll want to find someone to punch.

Frank is careful and gentle, as a rule.

"Jack, it is good to meet you. Would you like a cup of cocoa and to sit and talk?"

"Uhm sure?" The boy says, "You're the He-Chief I'll do what you want"

Frank goes to the kitchen and makes 2 mugs.

Returning, he sets them up at the table. "Join me?"

"Yes, Sir." he gets into a stool that he can climb so he can reach the table. He's a bouncy little guy

"You won't be sorry you took me in, your Frankness," Jackflap gushes, "Connor gets the top or bottom bunk, his choice, and I've learned my lesson about eating too much, almost made myself sick the other day but the food here is reallly good..."

"And I only peed on the tree so it would be my friend because water, but I guess I don't need to do that? And they prefer water water anyway which makes sense now that I think about it, but I really want to learn to garden and stuff"

"We can help with that. " Frank agrees.

"Thanks. Back where I lived there weren't so many trees until the nice areas and they frowned at you if you went there, you know? here there's all sorts. Sure is colder though"

Frank nods. "I understand the folks you were with.... not so nice?"

"no sir" he shrinks a little "They... I did bad things for them."

"Did you want to do those things?"

"no!" he says too loudly then realizes he's too loud and then says in a whisper 'no. I.. if I didn't they would hurt me"

"And they said it made it easier for what was robbing. Lessl ikely they'd fight so less likely they'd get hurt.. only sometimes they hurt em anyway and I'd say 'you said it this would help them' and they'd say 'shut up, little shit' and... I couldn't do anything because when I tried to be brave it always made it worse"

Frank nods slowly, gravely. "Jack. I think you have been very brave. I do not think you are a bad person. And I am glad you are here, now."

"Everyone says I was brave but I don't-" he stops, then just nods "Thank you, Frankenmountain I just... I'm just glad I'm not there"

"You are welcome to stay. Make this a home."

"Thank you," A swallow and then, Frank is getting hugged..which is dangerous for the boy as he had to lean from one stool to Frank and might fall if he's not careful or if he lets go of the hug!

Frank takes the hug, and won't let him fall.

The tension seems to go out of the boy, and he smiles "You want me to get you more hot coco?"

"I'm fine. You have more if you like."

"Thanks, but I'm good. Your cups are like ginormous to me" He takes a breath and leaps to the stool to reclaim his drink to demonstrate and sips "Ah, still hot. I got told I'm gonna have chores here that don't hurt nobody. I'll learn em good, you'll see"

"We can use your help in the gardens."

"I'll learn good" he swears "I may have to practice more because I'm stupid, but I'll learn"

"How do you feel about school?"

"Well, Connor goes to school sometime, a special school since he can't hid his furry parts like I can, so I figure I can go with him. Apparently they don't sing a lot like in TV though, that's for high school"