#rivervale_lodge

"Best Birthday ever" Lauge announces

"Yeah!" his brother beams

"Shhh, easy guys, some folks are still asleep" Tig says guiding in the grump

"She'll be right" A muddled American Australian accent..the Pooka's mein is now revived some.

"Right here on the couch, sir" Tig sets him down.

"thanks, mate. " The Emu pooka stares at the balefire "Hello, Sheila"

"Soak it in, and enjoy. I'll let the others know we have a guest for a bit" Tig says

"Working hard eh? No bludgers in the walls I see " The fellow settles down

The kids get him a meal and some drinks... and are eager to help but it's late, and they too must go to bed

**************************

Kerri tries to make sure that the various Lodge residents don't make too much noise in the morning as the new arrival sleeps in.

Tucker sleeps hard, sometimes tossing in his sleep muttering things like "no no.. not the drop bears.. no"

Siv whispers to Kerri "Well, Lauge and LucJan had a blast.. and they managed a right of rescue.. with Tig's help. They're probably on a troll high right now"

A nod and a grin. "The best possible outcome, I think. One might even credit Da'an."

A sigh as the pooka has nightmares. "I hope he'll be all right."

"Yeah" Siv says then frowns "I know it's hard to tell with pooka, but what's..ah, what's wrong with him? "

"Well...sounds like some kind of conflict trauma. Beyond that, I'm not sure. Do you know what a 'drop bear' is?"

"No idea" Siv says "But then I haven't been to Australia" A pause "Hey, I haven't been to Australia." Interest sparks in her eyes

"Oh, boy. I know that look. Shall I pack you a lunch, or are you going to rely on the kindness of strangers putting shrimp on the barbie?"

"PRAWN, dammit" the pooka sits up and blinks "Huh what huh?"

Siv looks at her "hold that thought. I think our guest is awake"

"someone nick me bag?" He starts to shuffle around looking for his things. Which, Kerri has already put up and cleaned. The fellow did have a backpack, worn and weathered.

"You're safe, and your things are here. You're at Rivervale Lodge in County of Bergen, Apples. I'm Kerri, and this is Siv."

"What's this? Two lovely lasses tending on me? Well, I am bumfuzzled. Didn't think blokes like me made it to heaven, yet here you are, halo and all" He holds out a hand to Kerri "Be a dove and hand me that pack, would you, lass? I was called Bruce, then Dundee, and finally it got silly and folks just called me Tucker. Thought me glass would be prodded by little seppo fingers for the rest of me days, but those little uns sure enough caped up proper, didn't they?"

His accent is 60% Australian, 15% New Jersey, 15 % Old Jersey, 5% Nova Scotian, and 15% anybody's guess.

Kerri looks bemused, but does hand him his pack. "So... Tucker?" She tries out the name that seems most likely given all that. "Any idea when you got stuck in that zoo? How long you've been there?"

"Crickey and gadzooks, "He reaches into the bag, closes his eyes, then pulls out a cold beer, there is actually frost on the Victoria Bitter can. "That would be depending on what calender you go by? Greg Gorings, or Julie Anne's? Also, what year is it?" He pops the beer open and takes a swig "Ah, mother's milk... course mum was a bit of a boozer"

"A year that you might be glad to have missed most of. It's 2020."

The middleaged man grins "Pull the other one, that's not a year, it's an eye exam"

"SHe's not kidding, " Siv smiles "On either side. "

"Then I have been behind the bars of that zoo for..." He counts five fingers "Three bloody years"

Kerri pays more attention to the fingers than the words. She lets out a long, low whistle. "Ah. That long." Then she takes a bracing breath and offers a grin. "Well, you're back on your feet now. I see you have a beer. Would you also like something to eat?"

"I wouldn't spit in your eye about it, but I'm no bludger" He says

Siv is now googling on her phone "He's not lazy" She translates the bludger part

"Oh, you're our guest. Recently recovered, so we're happy to help. Don't worry, I'll put you to work after day one." She gives him a wink. "So, bread or meat or fruit...?" Suggestions.

And a thankful nod to Siv for the translation.

"Beggers, choosers and tourists, lovely lady" He winks admiringly at Kerri "Slap it out , grease it up, and I'll take it down. I travel on my stomach"

A grin. "Fair enough. Give me a few minutes, and I'll return with something to sustain. Siv, do you might keeping Mr. Tucker company for a bit?"

"Sure" Siv says "So, Australia huh?"

Kerri's already part way to the kitchen.

And then within.

"It's pronounced Ozzy Ozzy Oi Oi Oi" She can hear him explain as Siv no doubt tries to learn a bit more about Australia from a pooka as a source. Good luck there

Soon enough, the scent of bacon drifts out.

Squire Brogan yawns in the kitchen. He's fallen asleep on a stool. he went on the trip last night, but got up at regular hours? Or tried to

"Good grief, Brogan, you'll fall on your nose," she chides kindly.

He starts embarrassed, "oh sorry" he blinks "I ah, cleaned the counters first" He looks distressed "Pardon my liege. "

Young Brogan can be very sidhe at times, so proper, but she must say the boy has the work ethics of a troll.

She takes a look around and nods. "Looks fine, Squire, thank you. I'm just about to put a BLT together for our guest out there. I'll mind the bacon. I'll ask you to slice and toast up a bit of that hearty loaf...and then I think you might need to go take a nap. Fair enough?"

"Yes, my liege" He says and moves to the hearty loaf "he's an odd one isn't he? I guess partly it's a pooka thing"