#rivervale_lodge

"And it won't undo anything."

A nod back "Bites, and not in the cool lassie saves timmy way"

"Yeah. Makes you feel both like a monster AND helpless."

"If you like, I can tell you that one day you'll never think about this again, you'll have it all figured out, and all the guilt and rage will be gone com[letely, peaches and cream. It's a gift we pooka give"

A little laugh. "Yeah."

A smile "But I will tell you one thing.." She points at Connor "Fuzzy McFluff pants there...still warm, fed, and getting squeezes from his sisters. You want a silver lining in any cloud, well, there he shines." A pause "or maybe that's lint"

"Yeah. Connor is great."

A nod "Like cheese" She sniffs "or he needs to clean his shirt after drinking milk" Tiffany says "If anyone ttries to hurt him and I see it, I'll shoot them in hte kneecap, point at them and laugh, then text you to come over so you can use them as a hockey puck." She gives a scout's honor sign

"Square deal."

A smile.

then Tiff gets a text from her hubby and moves to answer

Brekke returns later from patrol. She is still somewhat dimmer than normal, but not by much after a good night's rest by the balefire.

The Kings are there - Dagmar and Tove, Jaymes and CJ. Dag is holding the baby as her parents converse quietly. Quiet night.

And ..speaking of Kings. A voice says behind Brekke as she blocks the door way "What ,were you raised in a barn?"

a familiar voice full of sass

Brekke turns at the sound of the voice, an eager expression.

Siv looks strong, healthy... for the most part. Her color returned, her energy back, but the claw mark of the king killer seems to have left it's wound, scars that refuse to quite heal right, from the lower part of one eye, scratching the nose, then lightly through the lips and to the top of her chin. "Piper tells me it looks.. roguish"

Brekke can't hide the stunned expression as she sees Siv's face. Perhaps she had expected more of the healing. But it's only a moment. Then Siv is in a tight embrace.

Siv hugs her FIERCELY back "I'll be fine, mom. Really" Perhaps assuring herself as much "It's good"

"Hey Siv." Quiet greeting.

"Of course you will," Brekke says with certainty. "My daughter, a great hero."

She has not let go of the girl.

"Hey dags" She says while still in her mom's grip "And Mostly I went camping, had a bit of a scuff, then got to goof off. While you folks did the work" Siv says "Everyone else here all right? Piper and I are ou of hte loop"

Piper arrives a few minutes later. "Sorry, I wanted to send a text to check on Zane. I guess he lost himself earlier... but he got found."

Siv smles at Piper's return

Brekke releases her at last. "I think Dagmar can tell you the story best." And a welcome nod to Piper.

"Sit down, Piper, I'll get us drinks" Siv says then asks Dagmar "A story? yes"

"Oh. Um." She frowns.

"Gildas is in a dungeon now."

A smile to Dagmar, and then a grimace and a nod. "....good."

"that's it.. he's in a dungeon now?" Siv blinks

"He could be in a hole." Piper says, reaching to stroke Siv's arm. "Maybe should be."

Grunt.

The front door doesn't quite close all the way before it's opening again...and in comes Sylvi. "Hey. Did I miss the brand?"

"Sylvi!" Piper squeaks and waves.

"If you did, I did.." Siv says

"No brand yet. Olgar is out waiting."

Sylvi waves back and comes in to set down her pack with Flopsy. "Good. Hello again, Chieftain." She gives a formal salute.

Brekke returns it. "Welcome back, Emissary."

"Did they send you to the farm, Sylvi? I mean, Emissary?"

"Or did you see the show?"

"Me? No, I was up at DarkGate when Gildas started attacking. Mom and Dad had me stay up there. But I was there at the duel. It was...Wow, that was something."

Dag fusses at CJ, and lets him grab her fingertip.

Tove is now playing music softly as Dagmar fusses over her brother

Siv says "And I missed it"

Kerri comes out of the kitchen to set some food out, then says, "Ah! You're back." A big smile as she comes forward to give Sylvi a hug, much like the one that Siv got from her own mother.

"Hey, Mom!" Sylvi says, happy to be fussed over for the moment.

Kerri releases her. "Okay, go put your stuff up in your room, get settled. The Brand will be here soon."

"Yes'm." She gives the others a wry smile. "Be back in a few."

"I wish I could have seen it, but I guess you'll all have to fill me in. Does it need a song, maybe a mocking jig?"