#rivervale_lodge

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Chimerical ravens singing like nightengales is odd... them singing in Norwegian, all trhe more so

The Chieftain is not complaining. She hums along, old tunes she has remembered from her childhood.

While Rivervale's banner flies proud.. other banners some of more modern design others of more ancient look are under them and proud. No one is sure who put them up

and a knock at the door

After a moment, Brekke opens the door to look out. She seems to be in an optimistic mood.

Anne Marie and Myrtle Anne greet her, with a cake! It is of the Norweigan flag...with fancy scriblings that say "Enige og tro inntil Dovre faller/Einige og tru til Dovre fell"

"Happy Norway Day" They chime

"I'm still not sure that's what it's called," M.A. says to Anne Marie after that.

Anne Marie fusses back "She knows what we mean."

Brekke blinks at them, then chuckles. "Thank you! That is wonderful. It is called Constitution Day, but Norway Day will do well. Come in!" She ushers them inside.

They come in, "Constitution day, I knew Norway day sounded too pat" Myrtle Anne says.

"Oh shush, she also said it was fine," Anne Marie says "We couldn't help but notice a lot of flags and other hints..."

"Hints?" M.A. says "We have ravens singing in the language. Lovely though"

"Sooo... " Anne Marie says ignoring her friend as friends can do "We made you a cake"

"Mm, the land is unusually enthusiastic this year. It is good. Come and sit. I can fetch drinks? It is early for cake, but..." She looks tempted.

"Well, " Anne Marie says "i'm sure you'd forgive our poor timing just this once" giving the good troll an out.

"Done," the Chieftain says decisively. "Coffee, tea, or something else for you?" she asks, refilling her own mug.

"Oh, I think Coffee for me, " MA. says.

"Coffee, bit heavier on the cream and sugar , and thank you" Anne Marie says

Brekke prepares (smaller sized) mugs and brings them to the boggans, then goes briefly into the kitchen, returning with plates, forks, and a cake server.

She offers the server to AnneMarie. "You know best how it should be cut."

Anne Marie takes it and carves out some pieces, "I should make yours a bit larger I think, Chieftain. Troll sized?"

"Well, perhaps a bit larger...but not so much so. Must leave enough for others," she says good-naturedly as she takes a seat.

"Myrtle Anne, are your herbs growing well?"

"Oh yes." Myrtle anne says "I hope to your liking , thank you for use of part of your garden. I admit 'garden state' or not I did not expect the soil to be so fertile here. "

"Well, this spot has been well-nurtured for decades, now," Brekke points out, and there is an air of pride there.

Anne marie has made a slice for everyone, and they are passed out. It certainly suits Brekke, not so big she feels she is cheating others of the lodge, but not some minor mouthful that leaves one feeling cheated either.

"You didn't tell me I'd get an assistant but he's working out wonderfully too," M.A. says

Brekke takes a bite of what is certain to be a delicious treat. "Mm. Very good." She nods about the cake, and then about Jack, "Yes? I thought he would. He is very enthusiastic about gardening."

"Apparently you taught him. " Amused look from M.A., "He has declared, with utter certainty that 'cities suck'"

Anne Marie laughs "I'm pretty sure the Chieftain never used those exact words in her tutoring"

Brekke chuckles. "Not those precise words, no." She pauses to enjoy another bite. "I lived for a time in San Francisco. I prefer this."

"oh? Now I didn't know about that, " Anne Marie says "Too crowded?"

"Mm. Crowded. Noisy. Polluted. Paved."

"I realize this is true of us all, but you, Chieftain, have a very old soul" Anne Marie says "And I mean that as a compliment. Though I myself enjoy banter and chatter and meeting and greeting. The more people I know the more I can help"

"That's boggan code for 'we get more chances to meddle'" MA. smiles

Another chuckle from Brekke. "Yes, well...it is odd. A community the size of Rivervale...it is large enough to have many to speak with, but not so large as a city. In cities...it is strange, but in cities, the greater number of people seems to mean less communication. At least, that is my experience."

"Well, I will admit, where it's thickest around here I have the most trouble," Anne Marie says "Take that recent situation with Adam, that poor shelter is overwhelmed. Thank goodness for Didi"

A blink. "Yes? How is she?"

"Your husband appears to have put her up," A sip "And I suspect he's going to turn to me to see if I can give her a job" Anne Marie says "he hasn't said as much, but I am a social worker, and helping folks IS what I do. I could be wrong. mind you. I took the liberty of finding files on her. Poor woman."

"Mm, I would like to hear more, please." She sips her coffee and listens attentively.

"Oh where to start? abusive family, an escape to an abusive partner... drug use from misdiagnose by a sloppy doctor...and a loss of everything... homeless for over ten years. It's amazing she's as well adjusted as she is."

Brekke sighs, then nods. "I was able to muse her. She has the capacity to dream. That must have helped."

"Forgive, hwo did you muse her? I'm asking for reasons beyond curiousity"

A blink. "She was...hm...I suppose it was not so much musing. She had already been enchanted. She was looking at the stars through enchanted eyes...and I told her stories of the constellations."

"That's.. interesting." Anne Marie says "And it sounds very much like musing to me. Enchantment might have made it easier, but it was yoru stories that inspired"

A nod. "If that interest could be built upon...."

"I wonder if the scholarship she turned down is astronomy related? " Anne Marie says

"Turned DOWN?" Myrtlle Anne says