#rivervale_lodge

He hasn't really moved, but he speaks. "I picked a fight with an armed Balor Sidhe armed with a small tree I pulled out of the ground."

"Oh good lord dad, why by Ymir's frozen balls would you do such a thing without at least calling for back up?"

(Garden) Jack nods

Brekke pauses and looks at the boy. "Jack. You are well?"

(Garden) A bite of his lip "YOu killed the bad guys... so.. now you might send me back to Memphis. Because you don't want..well, you know ... you don't, do you?"

He hasn't opened his eyes or moved. "Wasn't any."

"Dad, you can YELL.. "

Brekke pauses, then she crouches down before the boy. "Jack. We are not sending you back to Memphis. You are staying here in Rivervale."

"Lord knows I've heard you bellow.. the time I sunbathed on your rig...you were loud enough"

(Garden) the boy smiles "Yeah? I..that's..that's not nothing at all is it?"

A long pause. "No."

"You are staying here," Brekke repeats. "And if you wish, you may stay at the Lodge. Or we may try to seek you other foster parents, and you may stay closely involved with the Lodge. But Jack...I must be clear with you...you are a fine child, but the Mountain and I do not seek to adopt another child." Gentle but firm.

(Garden)"I. I like it here. I want to stay at the lodge. Connor's fun. and.. I DO wish you could be my mom and He chief my dad, but I know you don't want to, not because you hate me, but because you don't love me that way and I can't make it happen. It would be like misusing the gift of pan even if I could... it wouldn't be right." A sigh "I was told you werent' the parents for me. I get it now." A swallow of regret "Wish we could be family"

"Say no all you like, dad, but you need to take better care of yourself," Siv says "Let the wilders do some of the dangerous stuff. It's our turn "

(Garden) "Jack...I do not know if it is enough...but I consider many of Rivervale to be in my 'family' even if I do not consider them my children. Does that make sense?"

(Garden) "So. ... I can maybe call you AUNT Shacklebrekker? And.. Frank could be Uncle He-Chief?" Hopeful

(Garden) "Perhaps." Brekke stands. "We will be more on it. But now...I must go inside." Before my husband and our daughter kill each other.

(Garden) "You can never have too many nephews...just saying" the boy tries for nonchallant, it comess of as Not so Challant, then he hugs her "Thank you for letting me live here. " Then he backs up and..waves

Frank doesn't respond. At least, not immediately.

(Garden) She musters a grin and a nod for the boy, then heads for the Lodge.

Siv goes on "I'm not fragile myself, and Dagmar? Dagmar could probably take a hit from a mack truck and come up swinging and mad. Sylvi's got guild, and Dirk is scary, but he's on our side. And Adam? Heck... he's got soem annoying habits but he's got guts. So it's okay to let us handle some patrols or oh I don't know, take us as backups"

A long pause. "True."

The front door opens slowly, and Brekke looks in. She sees the two of them by the balefire and pauses. "Do you need time, yet?"

"For dad to admit I'm absoultely right about everything? Couple of life times so you shouldn't wait till then. Come in mom. I just came to see if he was all right"

An eyebrow at Siv as she closes the door. "It would take me far longer."

She comes to join them by the balefire, her expression serious as she claims her usual seat.

Frank hasn't, to Brekke's eye, moved.

Brekke notes this, but says to Siv, "I did not intend for Jonas to inform you."

"Both are you are rather hard headed," She says then says "Of course you didn't. But I am glad he did and I do not want him fussed at for it. He's a good man who cares for me and knew I would want to know. And, who knows, maybe some good has come of it. "

An eyebrow as she looks from her daughter to her immobile husband. "Has it?"

"I'm not sure but I think so. " Siv says, then looks at her mom "Fiona's laws of love apply here... and has helped me sort things out"

Her mother looks up and appears to be puzzled. "How so?"

She recites "There are no laws of love, only ideals; once the wheel of love is in motion, there is no absolute rule.
Your heart will always overrule your head; accept this and find joy where you may.
Love with great risk is all the more sweet.
Love is both pleasure and pain; all in life is duality.
True love comes in many forms. Deny it not, however it appears."

"Meant more for romantic, but it bears fruit here with familial love. The reason we can all hurt each other is because we care for each other, but how much worse to be numb and dead and denied the joy of it?"

Brekke is silent a long moment, and then she looks at Frank. Another long moment. Then to her daughter. "Yes." A nod.

Siv looks at her mom as if she wishes she could open that skull open and peek "Elaborate, please?"

A blink. "Much of what you say, of what you see in this, is right. As a lifestyle, it is a dangerous path to choose...but I see what you are seeing."

"Mm I am a bit cautious as I seem to be in a wave of miscommunications lately. But for me, it fits. IT's the only way things make sense"

Brekke sighs and nods. "I understand. And yes, clarity is important." A pause and she looks to Frank. "My Heart. Do you understand Siv's meaning?"

A sound that means assent.

Brekke looks to Siv. "Your father needs some time, Siv."

Siv sighs "Yeah. I guess I'll just retreat into my world famous patience" She gives her dad a soft hug, "Love you dad." then she turns to her mom and hugs her "You two take care of yourself. And..try not to get hurt or injured in the next week. I still want to know if you do , of course, but.. just..take better care of yourselves"

"Love you, Siv." quietly.

"I make no promises. These are challenging times." She stands. "I will walk you to your launch."

"Thank you mom," She says and gets her things to go

She waves bye to her dad and heads out with her mom

"I will be back," she says to Frank. Then she follows Siv out of the Lodge.

Once out of the lodge "I hate when he seals up like that." A sigh

Brekke sighs slightly. "Yes." Then, "Thank you for coming again."

A glance back to the Lodge. "He will need time," she says again. "I...he is struggling, Siv."