#rivervale_lodge

The dogs bark to announce the entry of someone.

Well, they must be announcing the arrival, because there is little chance of finding Brekke indoors at this time of year. She is tending her gardens, and looks up as the dogs bark to see who approaches.

Jack works happily with Brekke. He seems to LOVE gardening

Brekke has found herself enjoying the boy's assistance.

"Look, the leaves have gotten really big on this one...are they supposed to? Is that for the photo..photosyn.. argh the big word ..how do you say it again?"

He wants to get it RIGHT.

"Pho-to-syn-the-sis," she enunciates for him. "I would suggest you make a song of it, but I do not know if there is a word that rhymes with photosynthesis."

She looks again to see who the dogs were barking about...or perhaps she just imagined their barking?

"Chieftain?" A not too familiar voice then "Oh you're out here.. of course you are. Glorious day" Myrtle Anne approaches

"photosynthesis.." Jack says then pauses as he tries to think what DOES rhyme

"It is, yes." Brekke brushes the dirt from her hands. "Welcome, Myrtle Anne. All is well?"

"Everything's fine, but you said you wanted to talk to me some time later, thought I'd take you up on it, but I can come back later" She says , then her eyes look on the garden "Oh that's a nice spread."

"Indeed, please stay. And thank you," she adds at the compliment to the garden. Yes, a bit of pride there. "Myrtle Anne, this is Jack. I don't recall if you two have met."

"What rhymes with photosynthesis?" He is definitely focused, then he looks up "Oh, Hello."

"I've seen him once or twice but we've never been introduced" M.A. nods to the boy "Nice to meet you formally, Jack..." She clears her throat , "Yo whoa, since you is" She says "it's terrible English but it rhymes"

Brekke looks both amused and dubious at this.

Jack grins "That works..cuz I have terrible English too!" he says "And If you know other Jacks, my full name is Jack Flap"

"Jack lives with us at the Lodge, and he has been a wonderful help with the gardens. He seems to be a born gardener."

Jack puffs up and looks like he might float away

"Myrtle Anne, I think I may have given you the wrong impression. I did not mean to summon you for a talk. I meant it as an invitation that you should visit the Lodge as you wish."

"Oh! I thought it was.. well, I thought it was a very polite security check. Odd, Anne Marie said I really OUGHT TO..." A suspicious look , but not at Brekke "WHat is she up to? Mmm" She admires the garden "You like gardening , Jack? I'm an herbalist myself"

"you make pot?" He says unsure.

"Not until I check state laws" She says "And even then, I am very particular who has access. It's like some othr things, it require maturity and fore knowledge."

Brekke does not seem at all scandalized by this bend of the conversation. "How long have you been practicing your craft?"

"Oh, actually, I was gardening at his age, herbalism came in later... when I was fully sained and aware. My fosters were an interesting couple. Wonderful satyr fellow and his boggan wife. "

"Ah." Brekke nods. "Are they with us, still, or are they on their next story?"

She sighs "I'm very selfish. They went on their next story before I wanted them to. "

Connor poke up from where he was looking at a collection of bugs from some overturned earth. "Mrs. Flowers! How did your stinky dirt work out?"

Brekke grins. "Hello, Connor. You have met Myrtle Anne?"

"She's one of my number one customers. Did you get a Buddy's Buddy? It's okay if not, because I'll still be your Buddy."

"The Fertiliizer is quite fine, thanks for your recommendation, young man" She holds out a hand "Paw bump"

He beams and taps her hand with his own.

"Ah, good. You are gardening. That is good."

She grins then turns "Connor here assisted me with some fertlizer. Well, he and a rather stoic fellow"

"Yes, that would be Jaymes, my brother-in-law."

"I need to ask the Hearth for more homes for my Lilly friends." He remarks, rubbing his hands off on his slacks, leaving smudges of rich dark earth across them.

Jack gasps "Look... it's growing" He says "Connoer, the Jelly Bean stalk.. it's growing"

"And actually, I am only dabblilnbg at this stage. Trying to decide where to live here.." M.A. admits to the Chief

"Really?" He squeaks! "I knew it would all along!" He crowds over to take a peak. "Is there going to be a giant at the top?" A gasp. "Are WE the giants?"

"Mm. Well, we worked together to find Jaymes a home for himself and his family. We could help you as well, perhaps." Brekke looks over where Jack indicates. "The Hearth told me of this. Good job."

"i THINK " Jack says unsure "The trolls are the giants. But GOOD ones. So.. I don'tg know, maybe the stalk will lead up to a land of jacks?"

The 'stalk' is just starting really...

Myrtlle Anne looks over things "Chieftain, this is a lovely garden indeed. You've got a bit of everything here. Vegetables, flowers...and herbs, of course. Though nature hasn't shown all them yet" an amused look "Am I right that the 'jelly bean' stalk is the work of the boys?"

"Yes. Jack made the suggestion, and the Hearth encouraged him to see if it would work. We found a plot of land that seemed suitable and...well, it looks as though we may have little need of purchasing jelly beans in the future, if the crop is good." She sounds very impressed.

Connor is crouched and giving the sprout a sniff. "It doesn't SMELL like Jelly, I don't think. Or Beans?"

"The plant often smells different from the fruit it produces. This will require patience."

"Myrtle Anne, if you have need of herbs for your work until your own are grown, I would be interested in making a trade with you."

"And I appreciate the idea of setting up. But I'm not sure.. best PRICe is that apartment complext but I want a plot of my own eventually in fact I need.." She stops "Oh pardon?:" Curious

Jack sniffs the plant, "Connor, you got the best sniffer so you need to do the sniffing now and then. I'll have to just.. uhm do normal stuff since my kith doesn't help with growing plants"

"Well, it sounds as though you may eventually need a shop. But if we may benefit from your craft, then you may use some of our herbs...and perhaps we could find a plot of land for you to work here on Lodge property, much as Jack has his own spot. He may even be willing to assist you."