#rivervale_lodge

"He's at the hospital?" Sylvi asks with concern.

"He's a DOCTOR, duh" Dirk says, but the irritation isn't for her, not really

"Symon and I try, but sometimes he's got like.. Seelie Ish leanings. "

"Well, yeah...because he's a good doctor." Sylvi nods. "How about Anne Marie?"

"She IS Seelie" Annoyed "For sure...and a boggan, and EVERY Body's hurting and needing something so she's going nuts. HEll, all the boggans in the barony are hurling themselves into this. Lucia and her folks... Romana and she's not even sained yet. Can collecting, fund raising, dropping off food. And Anne Marie's thew worst"

Sylvi tries to restrain a grin at Dirk's obvious love for his foster mom. "Must be frustrating."

"You got NO idea. At least your mom helps other changelings mostly, but Anne Marie's like 'oh no...some mortals are in deep shit. Get my scuba suit"

A bit of a giggle. "Now there's an image."

"You could be glad she's such a bad ass that she's taking on the big challenges," Etsie points out "Both of them, in fact. Maybe thy're stupid, but they're going down fighting."

Dirk glares death at the older woman "I don't want them 'going down' at all, you dumb bitch" And he storms out of the lodge slamming the door behind him.

Etsie went pale for a sec, but when the cap leaves she says "Okay. I seem to have a knack for pissing off wilders around here"

Sylvi even quailed a bit at his outburst, but edged toward defending Etsie if it became necessary.

A deep breath. "Yeah. He'll defend them to the end. Sore spot."

"Oh my. Well, mum's the word. He'd prefer it that way I'm sure. " Then she smiles "you go ahead and study or go off and do wilder things, honey. I can meet and greet folks here for a bit if you want?"

"Well..." She looks at her school work with distaste. "I could use a break and get outside, patrol a bit. You sure you're good here?"

"I'm sure. Hot coffee, warm balefire. COmfy chair. " She makes a scouts honor gesture

"Okay. I'll just put this scroll on the mantle where the Chieftain will find it." Which she does. "Okay..." She packs up her books and papers and sets her backpack aside. "I'll be back in a while. See ya, Etsie!"

"Safe patrol, Queen of Style"

Sylvi laughs, tips her a salute, and out she goes on patrol, making sure to grab her spear from where it stands near the door before she goes.

Etsie , true to her word, keeps at least one eye open while she sits ready to greet folks.

(End Scene)

***************

Later, the Chieftain discovers Etsie drowsing by the 'Fire, and also discovers the scroll on the mantle. Curious, she breaks the seal and reads.

And it's in Norweigan, painstakingly done.. the writing not as fluid.. but done with effort and love

Dear mother.
Well, now you've done it. I was learning to use formal titles with fancy loops and flourishes, and proper placement of your rank and everything. Then you wanted me to write back in Norweigan and I don't know that many words.

So you're stuck with mother!

Of course I want to know about Norway. It's special to you, and that would be enough. It is also in my blood, and heritage as you say. Clem tells me it was one of the first areas you took the Wave-Maiden near. I do like the sayings you shared! Are they really first from Norway ?

The note continues, it is not brief

Please tell the Count if you see him that I am well and thank him for his kind words. Carnival is very different here. Fun, but confusing.

And there is a heart drawn at the bottom corner.

Brekke reads. Then she gets a coffee, takes her chair, and reads again. And again.

Parts of it make her smile. Other parts are...troubling.

After a fourth read, she goes to Frank's writing table, takes some paper and pen, and returns to her seat. A pause before she begins to write.

She writes slowly, with long pauses for thought.

It is not a very long letter this time. She's more interested in getting it to her quickly. And so she finishes, seals it, and... considers how best to deliver it.

As if on que, Olgar comes in

"Ah. Rover." She nods a greeting to him.

The Rover looks smug "Damn right. "

An expression of interest. "Something has gone well."

"Damn Right" He says again but then adds "Feeling pretty good about it too. How goes, Chieftain?"

"Well..." She nods towards the napping Etsie. "The Lodge continues to provide comfort. And the Balefire seems energetic today. I think this is a good sign." She is holding a sealed scroll.

(Frank is on a longer over the road haul.....)

"Olgar, when will you be returning to the trods? I have a message I would have sent to EarthRunes. I could ask another to go if your duties do not allow."

"To see Siv? SUre, what the heck." he nods "It ready already?"

Connor creeps up and lurks, listening, just behind the adults. He shifts his weight and twiddles his fingers.

"It is." A nod, and she hands the scroll over. "My thanks."

Trolls tend to be good at alertness. "Hello, Connor."

He takes it, Then looks at Connor "Not camping tonight I see"

"A trip? To see Siv?" His eyes are big and pleading with the question he doesn't ask.