#rivervale_lodge

And many collisions are sure to be had!

(End Scene)

The Hamantaschen has failed. Sally Mae sighs "Truly, I have angered the God of the Hebrews this day"

Darn it. Earl asked her to learn a few more traditional Jewish foods to spoil... for Zara's sake.

"Old Testament is so much better than new" Brogan says "The God in THAT side of the book is almost Daireann. Plagues, Wrath! None of that turn the other cheek nonsense"

"Thank you, Squire" Sally Mae sighs "That so sets my mind at ease."

"I sense sarcasm" He says dryly

"It's trollish sarcasm" The wilder Kinain says "Very subtle."

He sighs "That's the worse thing about being a childling. No one fears my retribution"

"I just figured we were beneath truly offending you" She says soberly

"is this..sarcasm again?"

"Not if you don't want it to be" she points out.

"Yo uknow what, i'm going to roll with this." he eyes the fallen food "Going to try again?"

"A DeBuke never says die" She says and tries anew

The Squire helps, then asks "Do you like it better here than at the farm?"

A startled look "What?" She says

"Do you like it better here than at the farm?" The Squire says

Sally Mae says "Neither place currently really needs me."

"Annnd?" the boy says

"And... I don't..." Sally Mae says "I don't get to be with Carowyn openly on the farm."

"I don't understand the Liam love but then it's not for me to understand" The Daireann admits

"he's very lovable, thank you. " She says

"But that's not all involved. If you could ..which would you pick?" He asks

"What brought this on?" She says looking at the boy

"Nothing" one doesn't have to be a Gwydion to hear the lie in it

Sally Mae says "I have earned respect at the farm at last, and it feells GOOD. but... the farm is huge, and this place feels more...cozy. I guess it's not really that much smaller. But I suppose push come to shove, I do prefer it a bit more here... but I'm glad I have the option of both. Fair?"

"Fair" the boy says

Then "But what if you didn't?"

Sally mae gives him a look "Brogan? Is someone not getting a choice in where they stay ?"

"Oh look, I think it's almost done" he says "You handle that. I'll go sweep"

Hand on her him "Squire Brog-" but he's gone "brogan"

She hurumphs. For Hearth Kerri the boy would have frozen in place. Well, she'll work on it

And make a note that something is going on with the adorable vengeful one.

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He's a loner, a soldier. He's seen things. Done things too. But he's forgotten himself..forgotten all but the war, blurs and bits. He's forgotten that he was more than some daft old bird with shivers in the nights when the guns thunder. he's forgotten the magic, why can't he forget the loss?

"Look, Tig! It's an Emu!" Lucjan says

"I saw him first" Lauge declares

"Did not..." The boys enjoying their birthday as they debate which of them was born first

And gaze at the Emu

And the Emu stares... feeling the warmth off them.

And an old soldier rises

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