#rivervale_lodge

"You are," Brekke confirms to Torin, automatically.

Brenda nods, then nods to Adam "Good. Then I guess you can have your room instead of the balefire"

"Might want to shower when we get home." Mr . Thomas says

Torin snorts "Well, guess I'm outranked.. Granddaughter AND Chief. Fine fine. I 'll stay"

"Kyle, I know you can get your family home safely, but I am glad to add escort if you wish," Brekke offers.

A huff. ("Good.")

"Actually, Chieftain, I think we'd welcome that. " Kyle says "It's so crazy tonight, Adam maybe okay, but I could use the reassurance"

Brekke nods. "Gladly. Dagmar, please keep watch over the Bale." The Chieftain pauses by the flickering light and extends a hand to it...an air of apology in the gesture.

The flames are indignant, not at her, but that anyone ANYONE would dare! However, it is mollified by the connection as the Chief shares the outrage but also feels confident that it is safe, and will be under Dagmar's care.

A nod. "I'll guard home, Chief."

"I don't want to go."

Brenda looks ready to cry

"I mean...back to the house."

A blink. "Adam...come speak with me a moment." She gestures him back out to the training ring.

Brenda clearly knew EXACTLY what Adam meant, and yeah.. tears are welling.

Kyle takes his wife and holds her, then shoots the Chief a hapless helpless look

"Sit, rest, we will not be long," she says to his parents.

They sit...

The Kings are a quiet bunch. They seem to have some kind of grunt-and-eyebrow coded language.

...but apparently they were gone for long. Kerri makes sure everybody has whatever food and drink they prefer.

"Kerri, I took two of the cookies..."

"Okay, thank you. Both for Torin?"

"One for Torin, one for Jack... they got.. like, blasted?"

Kerri nods. "I'm glad you knew where to find them. You did well."

"I didn't exactly. I tried unleashing, since Primal heals... but, like.. that didn't work, but I did manage to accidentally willow whisper the kitchen door.. so..."

"End result worked out?" A shrug.

Kerri blinks, then chuckles. "Well, a round-about way, but it worked, yes."

"I need to practice more. I need to be able to heal, too, I think."

"Useful, right?"

"Very," Kerri agrees. "Well, both the Chieftain and I can give you more guidance in the primal art, at least. And Sylvi might be able to teach you some Spring, eventually."

"Oh man, Sylvi is so good at magic."

A proud grin. "She has practiced a lot. Almost as much as you have practiced combat."

"No slouch in a fight, either. I mean, you'd do the mom thing, but if she hadn't turned up against those werewolves..."

Gerd storms in "Okay I did the run just like people told me to go back with taht knight and see the wizard off.. but Where the hell is.. is my brother all right??"

"Connor's in the bath." A pause. "He could probably really use a sleepover tonight?"

Kerri nods at Dagmar's suggestion. "He'd be reassured by you, I think, Gerd. Let me go up and check that he hasn't turned into a prune..."

Sylvi comes downstairs as her mother goes up, and she does an inventory of the people in the room. "Hey...anybody know where Jack is?"

"Sure sure.. I'll stay here tonight too. Don't need the fire, but ..."

Dag checks... he WAS sleeping by Torin...

Torin gestures... "He was sleeping.. then woke up... and then... well.." Torin gestures to the satyr who is now staying by the fire with a stick in his hand ready to defend it.

"Oh! Oh, sorry, Jack, didn't see you there. Good, okay."

"...Lily?"

"I'm not asleep" The boy says jerking fully awake "I'll protect the fire"

"Lily went home... apparently she's the only one" Torin says

"You did a lot today, Jack. You were very brave."

"I tried to call different folks but it was the worst night. Everyone was out just for a moment, or doing stuff ..." Jack Flap says "I'm sorry I didn't .. do it right. Adam DID Call.. even if he didn't sound like Adam."

Upstairs, Kerri knocks on the bathroom door. "Connor? You haven't melted away, have you?"

A soft splish splash sound. “Only us bubbles.” Softly.

"You did exactly right. And I'm a Gwydion, if I was lying, I'd make the This face."

And Dagmar demonstrates the lie-eye twitch, to exaggerated comic effect.