#rivervale_lodge

Anne Marie looks about, "Oh my, the lodge is SPOTLESS"

Kerri looks pleased. "Yes, it was quite the effort, but it all got done!"

The Hearth sets out some tea and cookies and offers AnneMarie a seat.

She ttakes it "if only I could organize the boys into one big cleaning. But Symon has a different threshold than I do, and frankly it took forever to explain to Dirk that showers were a daily thing. "

"That in itself is a major victory. Don't undersell it." She pours. "Dirk was here the other day. He seems to be doing very well."

"Thank you. " For the drink then " He's been restless lately" She admits "Not in a badway, but he seems to be wanting to go out and about and DO things. I don't know how long he's going to be content"

Kerri takes a cup for herself, taking a seat nearby. She gives the boggan a sympathetic look. "It's tough, that age. They're more ready for it than we are as their parents. AnneMarie, I know it doesn't make the concern any less, but...I know for a fact that he appreciates the home you've provided, and the support, and your love. And I know that all of those things have helped him to become...well, a young man who is ready to begin venturing out on his own."

"I Know.. in my head . I feel like such a hypocrite though. I deal with famliies on the brink all the time. I know how blessed I am. How lucky we are. How young men naturally get more adventorous and want to test themselves. " then she pouts "But they're MY baby boys nd I don't wanna let em go"

then a chuckle. She does see how silly her feelings are.

A fond grin from the Hearth. "I know. It's not fair, is it?"

"So not fair" She nods "I came into them late, both you know? I sometimes wish I could have started sooner with each. Raised them together ... but that's greedy I know"

"I understand. More time to share with them, more time to see them start out. Especially for Dirk, more time to give him a solid foundation without...well, to give him a better start than the one he had. But still...I think perhaps they've bonded so well partially because they know just how fortunate they are to have ended up where they have. They don't take what you provide for granted."

"Oh I'm glad. Bruce has been a wonder... my husband may seem stern, but he walks the talk and the boys respect that. And he's far more fond of them than he admits despite the fact Dirk isn't even of his own blood. And Symon? Oh he's firm with Symon but the pride is there and he encourages his oddities in small ways as long as it seems not ot hurt his grades" Very proud "Why if he'd just stop leaving his socks around like he was molting randomly he'd be the perfect man"

Kerri laughs. "Men and socks. It seems to be a thing." She tilts her head. "Dirk mentioned Dr. Lee coming to his defense when he was falsely accused."

"Oh yes. Bruce is such a reserved and calm man, I think it startles folks when he challenges them... but frankly it made me proud of him. "

A soft knock on the door

"I can understand that. Excuse me." She stands and goes to the door to open it and look out.

A waxen looking sluagh holds out a letter. He's delivered before. "Is Anne Marie the boggan here?"

Kerri welcomes him in and indicates Anne Marie with a silent gesture before asking, "Do you wish refreshment?"

"no thanks" he says and offers her a scroll

Welll, Anne Marie a scroll

She takes it, and curiously opens it up, before growing pale

Kerri almost points out that she has sluagh-friendly fare, but then she see's Anne Marie's pallor. "What is it?"

"I.. pardon me, Kerri" She reaches into her pocket and pays off the sluagh, "Thank you. No return message. At least.. not yet"

"Have a nice night" The waxen sluagh inclines his head, pockets the money, and slips away

Kerri watches the sluagh leave, then asks again. "AnneMarie, what is it?"

"Oh Kerri I .. I'm hesitant to drag you into my problems" a blush "You do so much and this is really something of my own doing"

"Nonsense. You've done so much for others, it would be madness to think you should not be helped with your own troubles."

"Oh Kerri, we boggans are terrible hypocrites about help. I thought you knew" A fond attempt to distract the woman

"Spill it," Kerri says. She may be grinning, but she's being firm.

"I once saved a childling from a rather ..abusive sidhe lord using mortal means. Had the girl transferred to another sidhe holding.. "A blush "A bit of intrigue mixed with autumn authorities. It..seems the sidhe noble I did it to has found out. He accuses me of risking right of ignorance. And he..demands satisfaction."

There's a touch of fear in her eyes but she banishes it "Well, he's got no jurisction here. So I can just ignore it"

Kerri blinks. "Who is the sidhe lord, AnneMarie?"

"Lord Gildas.. .ap Daireann" She says naming the most vengeful house there is

"This is fine" She assures Kerri "Everything will be fine" and she puts on her most reassuring smile

A wide-eyed look...and then a nod. "It will be fine. We will make sure of it."

"Yes.. yes" Another drink, and they..talk of other things for now