#rivervale_lodge

"Gonna get cold when you do that" Siv says

Hand holding, and talk

and her sitting while he stands so she can lean on his shoulder

Siv notices the look, and says "I think theyre taking it slow, Hearth. And.. wisely so. Still darn young"

As if she were already drinking age herself. Which she isn't

Kerri nods. "Still...a conversation is probably in order." She glances over to both Sylvi and Dagmar.

"Oh. Um."

"I can totally beat him up if he misbehaves."

"If he misbehaves I think we'll each want a turn to be honest" Siv says "But, probably not what the Hearth means. Ah.. how can we help with the..conversation prep?"

"I'm probably not the best choice for this."

"Oh, no, I've got this," Kerri assures easily.

Siv says "Half way tempted to ask if I could learn from the master but that might be extra askward for Gerlig"

A sigh of relief. "You do."

mashing the couple together with ease

"We'll talk," Kerri assures Siv with a grin.

Siv smiles "Thanks."

Gerd may kick herself for missing this next, as brooms are handed out, and Kerri directs Sylvi, Dagmar, SIv, and Sally Mae to various corners to follow a ceremonial sweeping in conjunction.

The Hearth tells them to visualize the things that most worried them, the things that most weighed them down, the things that most brought them anxiety and fear , distress, and ire

Dag's brow furrows as she does so.

Siv thinks of her concerns how it might go wrong with Jonas and Piper, how she worries about what others think too much, and yet can be selfish at times not thinking of others hearts. She gathers it up, and starts to sweep as directed. Miming it out

Sally Mae gathers her thoughts about her family, her resentment that they can't change fast enough, her fears what it will be like to be with Carowyn when he has other duties crucial to him. And brushes as well.

And , of course, Sylvi has her own thoughts and worries.

Kerri directs it all, and preps them, for her grand sweeping out of the door... which she will time exactly at midnight

A good ritual, one to release all that has pent up after the past months.

Others have gathered, with drinks in their hands, or just watching and slighttly out of the way

as Kerri takes over at the last, and opens the door... "10..." Sweep.. "9..."

Sweep!

Sweep!

"8".. others join in the count down

Sweep

"Seven..." Siv can be heard

"Six" Sylvi says

Sweep

even with the count down, there's an order to it. Nadeen would say a pattern.

"Five!" Sweep!

"Four..." they gather it all up bundle it to the edge "Three..." Even the dogs are looking attentive as if they get this is important and they can sense everyone's investmenta and wag .Even brown dog!

"Two..." Sweep

"One!" Everyone says as Kerri gathers up everything and with a flourish does the formal 'exile' of all the bad, all the down, all the negative, all the old worries! Banished from the hearth! Banished from the stoop! Let the new year begin as everyone calls out ....

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

"Woo!"

There's a rush of glamour that blows in, yes the breeze of the open door is a bit chill, but it's more refreshing, energizing!

And Siv gives Dagmar a hug just because she's closest "Happy 2021"

Hugs!

And celebrations and drinks, for some. Other smile and go to bed. A few couples may have other ways to ring in the year but this being the troll lodge they won't make a big deal.

Dagmar gets hugs and well wishes from others

and she also has some kids to retrieve

Well... one night bundled up in hay won't kill them. LOTS of blankets to tuck, though.

...that Connor somehow got the goats up in the hayloft, and they're serving as pillows? Well, that was unexpected.

Where there is a pooka, there's a way