#rivervale_lodge

"Well, he's only just woken up, so I haven't had much chance to speak with him yet. I think you've known him better already. But yes...as with any pooka, he'll take a bit more effort to understand." She has the knack of getting the bacon just crisp without being burnt....yes, exactly right.

Brogan is putting just the right slice on the loaf and starting the toast.

She looks over at him and nods approvingly.

"You find him odd, beyond pooka-ness?"

"I guess maybe it's the form his pookaness takes." A nose wrinkle "He seems to talk about lots of wars, mortal battles.. has tags listed at 1932... but even with balefire help he shouldn't be that old.. he looks near fifty down to forty something. I don't much care for the idea he's getting sympathy on stolen glory"

"Hmm." Kerri considers that. "Well, there certainly are pooka who have uncanny youth for their actual ages," she reminds him.

"You think he's like Squire Connor?" Brogan says, respecting Connor's tile because well, he wants others to respect his

"I don't know, but I'd prefer to consider that possibility than to presume unearned honors before we know for sure. Still...keep your eyes and ears open, if you like, and learn as much as you can." The bacon is ready, she's got the other fixings out. "Toast ready?"

"Yes, my liege" and he shows it "I put a light sear, I know opinions vary on the taste effect, but I like the look of it "

"Good choice." She takes the bread and finishes constructing the sandwich.

And Brogan nods "So.. uhm.. a nap? THat's.. your order? "

"I might even suggest that a hammock would be in order. There's not much summer left, after all."

He smiles at that in spite of himself "I live to serve."

"Good man. Go." And she brings the sandwich into the main room.

"All set." She offers the plate to Tucker.

"I forgot to ask, is there a title I should be using to address you?"

"Watch out for this one," Siv warns her with a smile "he flirts heavy with various generations"

"Oh, I had that sense right off," she assures Siv.

"Ah now lasses, you're both spring maidens to this old bird," He winks "but me blood warm's still." Tucker takes the food "Mmm... that's a great bit of nosh there. And don't worry about titles, long time since anyone called me sarge. Never made it to Officer. Col. Sanders had it in for us"

"Fair enough. Full disclosure: I'm Hearth Kerri here, Dame Kerri amongst the nobles, and this is Lady Captain Siv when she cares to flaunt it." A wink to Siv.

"So, three-to-five years is a very long time to be away from wherever you called home before. Is there anybody we should notify about your whereabouts?"

At the introductions, and names, the man brightens, but it dims at the mention of notifying anyone "nah.. Queen's busy" A melancholy look at the fire, then Tucker rallies a smile "Hearth? Like it. Warm and welcoming is it? And a Lady Captain? The waters rarely look so inviting. " a chuckle and he looks at the balefire "This bit of lunch will set me well, thank you. Soon as I shake more of the cold off my wings, I'll make room for the next ripper coming through." He tries the food and mmmms "Okay, what cooking show am I secretly on? I mean, it's a bleeding sandwich and tastes like there's five stars over the door?"

Kerri chuckles and nods. "Thank you, Tucker, I do my best. And you'll do me a favor and stay for your full three-days, please. Otherwise I might get insulted, and you wouldn't want that, I hope. We can manage a room for you, I think." A look to Siv, the unspoken suggestion that she should set up a room for a guest.

Siv nods "I know just the spot" She says "Oh, and Tucker...in addition to being the best cook in the Duchy? Hearth Kerri's husband? HUGE... immense, big axe"

"I figured there was a reason she was smiling, Luv," The Pooka grins at Siv, then winks at Kerri

"Oh, Siv, I was rather looking forward to seeing Tucker's face when he met Olgar."

Siv says "Protective troll nature" Apolgizing SORT of, but she snerks at the pooka's commentary

A chuckle at the pooka. "You're a wise man, Tucker."

"Ha, not so wise, just experienced enough to make mistakes in brand new ways" Tucker nods "Don't you mind my flighty ways, though damn me, your husband is a lucky duck in this pond of yours. Beauty, Brains, an appreciation for the finer things in live... and then there's all that good stuff about you yourself" He says to Kerri

Another snerk from Siv, and she heads to go prepare that guest room

Kerri rolls her eyes good naturedly. "Now, you should know a bit more about the Lodge here. Bergen is run by a Gwydion, Count Hemlock Autumnsbane, and this freehold is held by another Gwydion, Baroness Brekke Shacklebreaker, though she prefers to go by Chieftain. She's this Lodge's Storm, and her husband, Sir Franklyn ap Liam, is the Lodge's Mountain." Getting all the courts and their various associations out of the way...and watching for his reactions to any of it.

"Hearth, Storm, Mountain..." He memorizes then says "Wait a minute... hair band, 1983!"

"Loved you on Keyboard" he assures

He does not seem distressed by the Gwydion mention, though the troll side of things is unfamiliar to him she suspects

Amused, "Oh, no, I'm not the musical one around here." She's more interested in his reaction to Liam.

The Liam, he looked like he'd found a raisin in a cookie rather than a chocolate chip, but then decided the cookie was pretty good anyway

"Got the room ready" Siv says "This way, Mister Tucker" Siv says

The meal finished, the Pooka rises "She's quick"

"Thank you, Siv. Mister Tucker, once you get settled, there are gardens to explore if you like. If you visit the stables, please don't touch the horses unless somebody from the Lodge is there with you. Now, if you'll excuse me..." she takes the empty plate from him "...I've got some tasks to tend to."

Tucker nods "Sure, sure.. this lass will tuck me in..."

"With knives and forks" Siv promises

The pooka laughs "Thanks again for the gill stuffing" And off they go

as does the Hearth herself. Busy busy busy

(End Scene)

Lupe looks around the horses "Huh, irony" She sighs

Unenchanted, she still knows this place is more than it appears. Dreams linger.

Many of her kind make horses panic.

But she's learned how hide her rage better before animals

"Lupe?"

She turns "Hey! Sam" A smile