#rivervale_lodge

"Poofity?" A frown "I realize it wasn't a great bunk, but I thought it tasteful. Did my flicker flash just go 'poofity'?" Earl seems offended as they appear in front of the Lodge

"Well, a'times magic must be so."

"It's..." A blush "Poofity" Yup. His dignity took a hit.

Gerd comes out, "So, is this witch business?" Dressed in dark garb with a flash of dark blue for accent, Gerd's dark lipstick smile spreads just a bit. "No time for tea before hand?"

"Aye - a quest for tools, which someone has spirited off on the back of a narwhal." Sigh.

"Siv did this?" A moment of surprise, then pretty quick acceptance "Oh joy, she's ''helping'' again? huh? " Gerd makes air quotes "Sorry, she means well. "

A sigh.

"I know."

"I think she had a bit too much of the Lion" earl nods

"She means well." Zara repeats, like a mantra.

"Yes, well, I may fuss at her if I learn about the details later, or even if I don't. If she's got you too busy for tea she's cheated me of civilized converse. However, what must be must be and father time can be nearly as harsh as mother nature. The ship you'll be looking for is called Cutter. Odd name for a ship, but there you go. Tell them the Witch of the Vale and River sent you. They owe man certainly won't mind giving you passage to Nuuk."

"Now see, that sounds like a tale..."

"Do we have time for tea and to still make the ship?"

"Well, as a matter of fact" Gerd admits "I've already started the tea in hopes we did" She looks at Earl as if for permission "If I might steal your lady? You're welcome too, of course."

"Of course, I also brought some tea as a gift to you - oh, to pry this from the Steward's larder took quite a bit of charm. In truth, I think Earl is the one who ultimately pulled it off."

Earl blushes "We'd be honored."

"Oh" Gerd says in a soft delight, taking the gift, "Zara, you bring civilization wherever you go. "

"And Earl, my thanks to you as well" She leads them into the lodge. As always, Zara feels as if she has shrunk. Troll lodges are built for troll comfort. yet Zara has set up one chair that is taller for her use.

"These leaves are grown under moonlight - I thought you have a rare palate which could appreciate them."

"Hearth Kerri has been most understanding of my preference at tea, though I was difficult for her" already set, Gerd takes to serving.

"Now, the Chieftain looks at the tea with a kind of, well, the Chief doesn't complain, but she doesn't understand why tea. Such a coffee sort you know?"

"Aye, trolls seem more coffee inclined..."

"Exactly"

"or in the case of Uncle Emmit, A shot of whiskey" Earl mutters

"In coffee."

"Still not sure Coffee's the point" he says "But yes, in coffee"

Gerd has learned how to pour very well. It's not just a matter of not spilling. It's who gets served first, what order it goes from there when there is more than two. Which side of the person you are on as you pour. Gerd has been studying, has been practicing "Now, the trip to Newfoundland was with Siv in fact. We went to see the piece of steel that had once been in the World Trade Center."

"Oh" Earl says "I saw the musical based on that"

"Oh, aye. Terribly loud..."

"Charming, but loud."

"Yes, the glamour is from the generous nature of the people lingering though, and that inspired. It was.. a collectively wonderful moment where mortals , kinian, and kithain showed the soul of hospitality. The ruler there is a Daireann by the way, but the commonors of Newfoundland mostly do what they will and then in case of trouble break glass. " She allows Zara the first sip to make sure it is satisfactory

A sip and a nod.

"I have liked the Darieann I've met. Prone to boast, but good hearted."

"Yes, well, I have met one that was a bit dark for my tastes" Gerd says "But anyway, while there, Siv and I had a brief adventure of our own, facing an attack by Fishmen Chimera.. ah, have you ever read Lovecraft's stories?"

Earl raises a brow.

"Right, I figured you must but had to be sure" She says

A smile.

"Well, it was disgusting. And smelled terrible. I shan't get into the violence of it"

Earl nods

"But one ship was getting swamped" She continues "They fought bravely but were in deep trouble. Well, right of rescue .. we went to their aid. I launched several into the air.. saving the Captain of the Cutter. That, to be simple about it, was how the debt accrued. "

She nods. "And he is fae?"

"He is, though some of his crew are not. " She answers "you might like the Captain, Zara. he is an Eshu, but more reserved than some of the kith, less ..glaringly flaymboyant? A touch rough hewn, but Rick treats ladies with respect and will not have them hassled on his ship."

"Noted."

"Now, that story was shorter than I need to detain you, please, how goes Earth Runes? What news of these tools?"

A sip

A soft huff.

"if it can be said," Gerd adds almost apologetically "sometimes Rivervale feels like the center of the universe, other times very isolated."

"They were lost things."

"And found again? How wonderful. Lost things and witches go together like cups and tea." A sip

Earl looks uncomfortable for a moment at that