#rivervale_lodge

Nadeen seems to be in a better mood, or at least, she's t rying

Piper offers her a bowl of rolls. “Do you have a favorite dessert?” Food is generally a safe topic.

Who's she asking? Or is it an open topic for everyone

Nadeen, it seems. A smile to the sidhe. “I’m partial to pumpkin but I’m pretty basic.”

"I like frozen desserts best" she says "But something specific? I'm not sure"

Jess takes a full plate, and looks like she might take a second but we'll see.

"So good" some comment

"I love the.."

Mostly a lot of satisfied sounds.

“Try the pumpkin with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? If they have some? Oh, maybe next year ee can try a sorbetto... or for Yule? Do you have Plans yet for winter?”

Piper reaches to squeeze Siv’s hand to one side.

Nadeen says "I'll be going to a fete tomorrow, with Sylvi and others to Silverwolf. "

Siv gives a squeeze back

and seems torn by something beyond just eating one handed

“It’s cold enough here, brrr.” Clearly not a fan of the idea of going further North. A fork of pie offered to Siv!

“ I’m hoping to head back home to Cali- that is, to visit my parents, in December for a bit. Where the weather is PROPER.”

"Where in California?" Jessica asks.

Siv laughs "Cali girl"

“Round San Fran.” A grin. “I’d not say no to visiting Tijuana again sometime either.”

"You'd be welcome." Jessica invites.

She beams. “You win on the spa front.”

"We are gifted in Fenix with that." Jess agrees. "You should see the rest of the County."

"We'd be delighted" Siv says at the invite to Piper

"Very kind of you," Jonas adds

“But not on the solstice. That’s SOMEONE’s birthday. And you know what that means? Combined Yule and birthday presents!” She teases.

Jess watches the interchange, puzzled.

“The tofurkey.... actually that was really good.” She admits. “I was prepared to lie, but I don’t have to!” A cheeky grin to the Gwydion at the table.

((Puppet Gwydion)) - "Mmph."

"HA.. better luck than I on that" Siv jokes

she offers a bite to Jonas. “Tell me that’s not at least as good as your bird, maybe not better, but as good.”

Jonas looks dubious, but tries it

"examplary" He savors and then confesses "I did not think it possible"

Nadeen looks up the nchuckles at something

Finally the Varich says "Since Piper is desperately trying to keep conversation going but is too polite to say so, and she endeavors to do so among one of the most stoic and reserved kith existant... Siv, would you please relate the story she asked earlier. About your adventure in the Former Barony of Dry tears?"

Piper turns as red as the plate of beets.

Siv looks surprised. She didn't think Nadeen wanted it mentioned, salt in wounds.. but she asks "If you're sure I know...."

"I am sure" Nadeen says "I'm a big girl. I can take my failues with dignity"

Jonas looks at PIper "I thought you were very entertaining. We trolls are on the laconic side"

A blank look. "You need some antacid? I'm sure Kerri has tums."

JOnas sighs

Siv snickers

Sylvi actually gives Nadeen a little thumbs-up after that, hopefully for her eyes only.

Kerri has graciously accepted the various compliments, and has assured Piper that, yes, there is ice cream for pie a la mode.

Frank (and Jess for that matter) turn to listen.

As does Brekke.

Piper grins. "I get the gist, actually, but there is a lovely non-ESL speaker at the table too, and you are speaking in Collegiate." Leaning over, she kisses Jonas on the cheek, and winks to Doomwind, before settling down to listen.

"Well... " Siv clears her throat "Good point about our guest so first..."

"En balor Sidhe med en lenket sluagh ble funnet i disse landene. Det er nesten umulig å kjede dem sammen, og ærlig talt, ikke noe å tåle lett i Shacklebreaker-landet. Jeg oppdaget at hans eneste forbrytelse var å være en rømt livegg! Jeg trodde ikke de eksisterte lenger. Balor Harkson fortalte meg at den eneste måten å frigjøre ham på var en duell. Så jeg utfordret ham .. og tapte. Han brukte gift ser du? Og dyktigheten min ble redusert sterkt ... "

Doomwind listens at first happy to hear more Norweigan... then.. offense on Brekke's behalf... then... concern and a quick sympathetic look to the Chieftain and Mountain. Then back

Brekke tries to control her grin, and she leans back in her chair to listen to Siv share the story. Frank can practically feel the pride radiating off of her.