#rivervale_lodge

And looks like he is contemplating just how one COULD do such a thing.

Kerri greets Connor with a hug as he gets to the bottom of the steps. "It's okay, Connor. Please thank our neighbors for the wonderful help they gave with fixing the mess."

Lucia says "It's okay, Connor, but wow. You and Jack certainly took it to a new level."

Jack gets a hug as well as soon as he's done thanking the boggans.

He scuffs a foot shyly. "nk you." The hug helps a lot and he squeezes the Hearth back.

"Now, boys, each of you can have two pastries. Connor, avoid the ones on the green plate, they're chocolate."

Jack Hugs back then says "I'll take a chocolate to save my friend" And he does

Kerri chuckles slightly at that.

He reaches for a pastry, then offers it to Lucia instead. "You did my chores, so I sat around and that made me not hungry."

Lucia says "Already had one.. now eat yours so Jack doesn't feel bad for having one" Her wings flutter "It's cool."

"Ladies, I really am in your debt. Thank you." Kerri means it.

"But you might be like a humming-bird, they have wings and have to eat their body weight like, every hour! I feel that way a lot too." He confides.

Lucia says "Lt's not talk about a girl's weight mmm?"

His hand claps over his mouth, then he wisely fills it with pastry so he cannot speak.

"Mmmphmmmph."

"Oh like you haven't done right by everyone you know?" Anne Marie huffs "If need be I'll hit you up for some recipes but it's no trouble"

"Well, fine." Kerri succumbs to this logic and helps herself to a treat and tea.

"Oh, Myrtle Anne, the Chieftain tells me you've got a garden plot here at the Lodge now. How is it doing?"

"Oh, please, let me show you.. Jack's been helping me so much."

Jack blushes

"Oh, he's so very good at gardening," Kerri says as she finishes her tea. "Yes, show me, please. I'm not much of a gardener myself, but I do appreciate the bounty!"

"Well, Chief is a GREAT Gardener... and MA is just as good..." Jack says

Kerri blinks briefly at Connor. "Is she? That's mighty impressive."

Connor is midway through the 2nd pastry. They are awfully good.

Jack only ate one and he is happy to show. Where they're growing what. "See, this spot gets less sunlgiht, but that's okay because that type of plant..."

Myrttle Anne whispers to Kerri "he's adorable. I'd fuss at him for puffing me up? but I rather enjoy the praise"

And Anne Marie smiles at something

Kerri follows along and lets him explain, and she murmurs back to Myrtle Anne, "That's a high compliment he gave you just then. You must have impressed him a lot."

"Tish tosh. He's got a green thumb himself.. just showed him a few things and let him ask what he liked. Figure it's rare for a boy to want to learn so much so I'm not going to discourage his learning. Though I have had to say 'I really have no idea- let's see what we can find out' more than once"

"Oh, that's the best thing you could possibly say sometimes. Love of learning." Kerri affirms.

Jack rattles on. ANd while the wilder boggans lose interest, Myrtle Anne seems content to let the boy show excitment about the green.

And Conner gets a fuss over and asked about HIS hard work in 'sales with tales' as Myrttle Anne says

(End Scene)

Beltaine arrives... and everything is amazingly clean, decorated, and festive. Smells of food filter through the air. Outside, grills are set up for the meats.

Once those grills are set up, though, Kerri stays out of the way of the Meat Battles...which sounds a lot more scandalous than it is. Suffice to say, the men-folk have Opinions.

"Frank, so help me, I got this.." Olgar growls

Besides the bright blossoms in the gardens and the bright young leaves on the trees, the grounds are also decorated with ribbons and bright-colored ornaments (both real and chimerical)...and of course, there's a May Pole for those to dance who wish to do so. This particular one is definitely rated G, and themed to notions of fertility of ideas and growth of projects...but some of the wilders have quietly been empowered to make sure there's a more, ah, adult-oriented May Pole to be enjoyed later in the evening, and a bit deeper in the treeline.

Tiffany comes out in a flowing sundress. Her athletic form quite nice in it even if it's not her usual style

Dagmar does NOT wear a dress - though her viking-inspired tunic might echo one. She has her hair mostly loose, in a glorious honey mane.

There are TWO grills..........

Then stop going over to his!

Brekke, as Chieftain, is also in her formal tunic, so Dagmar might not feel alone in style. However, her hair is not loose. Frank wouldn't be able to think straight.

(True)

And Gerd walks in and snickers to Dagmar "Wait till you see Vali."

"Vali? What's up with Vali?"

Those who are new to the Lodge have certainly never seen Brekke more at ease, happily welcoming Rivervalians to the Lodge and showing off the gardens, the stables, the horses ("Star is in foal. Yes, Stormwake does seem smug."). She is clearly pleased with the hold she has charge of.

"Remember how he wanted to get Tiffany to wear a sundress? Well... she said 'you first' and.. he called her bluff"

Vali enters in, his purple sundress glorious "Joyous Beltaine all"

"Omigawd."