#rivervale_lodge

"No." She shakes her head, then looks to Kerri. "Adopting another child is not something we wish to do."

"That's what I thought," she says. "And I totally understand...but when I suggested that, he...well, satyr, but he got very upset. He took it as a rejection of him as a person, and ran off. I don't think he's going far, but..." she sighs.

"Oak went with him...and I don't think he would have left Jack if Jack had gotten himself in trouble."

Frank nods, and looks at Oak.

"The boy is well?"

At that time, the door opens ,and in comes Edelweiss, and Gerd, over Gerd's shoulder, a sleeping and shivering jack. They look a bit wet, maybe it rained someoutside.. and while spring is coming, the rain water is still a bit on the chilled side

"Oh, for goodness...." Kerri gets up and goes to get a blanket from the linen closet to wrap the boy in. "Where was he?"

That unmistakable Hearth combo of scolding concern and compassion.

Oak woofs. Apparently sister has it

"That answers that question....." Frank stands and offers to take the blanket wrapped boy.

Gerd hands him over. "He was crying near the lake, talk about the worst place to stay warm at. I dont' think this WIllows kid knows how Apples weather works yet . He might get a cold. Oak barked at Edelwiess, she barked back, th en he came back here I guess? And I was pulled by her to..well, find Jack."

Edelwiess walks over to the perfecly dry and toasty Oak, and then, quite deliberately, SHAKES, splattering him

Kerri gets another blanket for Gerd, then a towel for Edelweiss, and...."Oh, not in the hall! I just...oh, Edie...."

Happy wag. Sure, she'll get a scolding, but the look on her brother's fuzzy mug now? Worth it.

Oak huffs, but looks concerned at the boy

Meanwhile, Brekke has stood and fetched the cot for the fireside. "Let him rest here, Frank. Gerd, you have done well. Did he seem wounded?"

"No, I looked him over pretty carefully, I'm no healer but I didn't see a mark on him, he's just cold and dirty, though some of the dirt got washed off on the way here" She snuggles into the blanket she was given "Thanks, Hearth."

Frank sets him on the cot, and unwraps enough that he can get the boy out of wet clothes.

The boy is indeed unwounded. Jack shivers once more htan seems to settle as the wet clothes are taken off him and now it's just blanket and fire light. Ah

"I won't bother with his pajamas yet. I doubt he'll mind." Kerri gathers up the dirty, wet clothes and takes them away to be washed. "Edie, come let me get those paws clean, girl."

Brekke sighs and frowns as she looks at the boy...troubled, not disapproving.

Edie is a good girl and does just that.

"Edie was wonderful" Gerd says proud of her favorite animal

Frank finishes up and re-wraps Jack, then stands to join Brekke.

"I am glad," Brekke says to Gerd. "Did Jack say anything to you about why he was upset?"

In the kitchen, Kerri makes sure Edie is dried off and as clean as can be managed short of a bath. She also gets a biscuit reward.

And a laundry is started that contains Jack's clothes.

Gerd winces "That he was a little shit after all because no one wants one" A sigh "I'm sorry, Chief, you can't let him guilt trip you into this, but I think he's hurting so... as you guys probably know, you can't wave it off either. " A thoughtful look "Rivervale is a good place for heroes, but sometimes it feels like the younger generation is more like a collection of broken toys." She touches her belly self conciously

Edie takes it when offered, delicately like a lady, then wags.

"There is nothing broken about our young ones. They have lived through experiences that have given them strengths." Brekke says this simply, knowing it to be fact. But then another look at Jack, and a nod. "I had not wanted to push him too soon, but I think it is now time. We must seek his parents more directly. We can do nothing to resolve this until we know who and where they are."

"Vali wants in on it, " Gerd says "He wants those thallian dead, and ..well, I got no love for them. You should let him help if you weren't already planning to."

"I think we must count on Vali, yes." She is keeping her voice low so as not to disturb the boy too much. "And...hmm..." She looks at the crayon picture that had been on the refrigerator, but is now in a matte setting and pinned to a wall near the shelves where the childlings' art supplies are kept. "I may be able to do something with that. Perhaps not right now," she adds, indicating the resting boy.

"Once we know the status of his family, we will be better able to care for him." Frank agrees.

"Look, it's not my biz, and you shoudln't adopt a kid because of guilt but... if you don't find his family, or they're dead, what will you do with him? He doesn't seem to trust the wayburtons or other saytrs."

"Gerd, one step at a time. I do not know the answer to that now because I do not know what conditions will be then. However, I do know that we will work to make sure he is safe and supported, and hopefully happy."

Gerd nods "I kind of hope he can stick around for selfish reasons. Little brother likes him. And Connor doesn't have many play friends. Lily and he hide and seek sojmetime, and Lydia is all right, but sometimes boys need boys to pal around with"

Jack stirs as he smells food. And Gerd shushes.

"Agreed," Brekke nods.

Oak, bless him, moves to the boy and licks him making him laugh. Jack looks up looks sheepish then says "Can we uhm have dinner?"

Frank nods. "Why don't you wear that blanket up, get dressed, and come join us?

Brekke's cautious expression switches to something more bemused, and she nods. "Yes, but first go upstairs, wash, and put clean clothes on."

And a bit more amusement as she and Frank speak together.

And the boy grins at them "It's like a Norse Chorus. Okay" And he clambers up the stairs to do that.

Gerd smirks then says "I better go help the Hearth"

"Thank you, Gerd."

And..well, dinner will be nice, even if questions hang over it

(End scene)

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On the weekend, mid-morning, Adam walks up to the Lodge front door and knocks.

WOOF

"Oak? That you?"