#rivervale_lodge

Sir Carowyn reads that part of the missive again and again, t he sidhe is stunned

Frank nods stunned agreement.

"Sir Franklyn, all I can say is.. congratulations. This is.. well, it would appear the Count actually has read your own updates and reports now and then in addition to Anne Maries's. It seems he has a head start on a plan 'anyway' but you must be thrilled"

"I confess... I didn't suspect he was... that he was even thinking along such lines."

"Perhaps it was Dagmar's influence. Fellow Gwydion, a girl caught in a horrible system, and then, by your suggestion, she found a father and later mother.. and blossomed. Arguably, Mountain, you were already pushing to help the kids and Dagmar showed you were right"

"I didn't see it that way, but perhaps the Count did."

"While I'm an Autumn Sidhe, not an Arcadian, I can admit there's a tendency of my kith to reject reality and substitute our own" A touch of humor "But in this case i can see why he'd give you much credit"

"Not to my credit alone. "

"Well, you wonn't be able to handle it alone eiher. Bannerhouse Truthbranch protects mortal love above all, but I'm sure our Leader will be happy to help some even if this might not be exactly under our balicwick"

Frank nods. "Early days yet. I need to talk to Anne Marie, I think."

"Knowing Mrs Lee, she's probably hip deep in as many projects as possible and calling it 'unwinding'. You might want to talk to her quickly before she doubles what's on her plate"

"Good point."

"Happy to help. "

"There's my man" Sally Mae says coming up with snackss for both, popping one in Carowyn's mouth, she looks at Frank "Mountain, do you know how hard he and Dame Temerity fought for the Dreamers around here? They saved May, Dagmar's friend. "

Carowyn tries to stop this sudden boast a thon on his behalf but has a MOUTH with a treat popped in it which prevents him if he doesn't want to choke. Which might have been Sally Mae's plan!

"He's too modest to mention it, but I thought you should know" Sally Mae says "So you'll be up to date on some of the things that have been going on, sir"

Chew Chew GULP "Sally Mae, that's just my DUTY and Temerity certainly did more htan.."

She puts another snack in his mouth "I'd say he's earned a night off, wouldn't you, sir?" To Franklyn

MMmmph?

"I would. In fact, I insist." Firmly.

Swallow gulp "First, those are good. Second, Mountain, there's so much to clean up and do, patrols and such that.." He starts to protest

Sally Mae says "We haven't had a date in a week and a half" As if the Mountain understands why THIS is a problem for a redblooded iowa girl

"Dismissed, Sir." Kindly.

A look at at Sally Mae "Italian, Mexican, or French?"

"Mexican's fine" She smiles then looks at Frank "And thank you, Mountain"

"Welcome."

And the two depart. It would appear Sally Mae is willing to defy family and even heirachy to stake her claim. DeBuke women seem to have a bit of a tyranical streak, ironical given their modernist leanings

****

Anne Marie doesn't seem surprised Frank asked her to come over "I think Wise Oak is a good name for a children's home. Not too sacchrine so they're turned off, but symbolic enough to draw attention"

"Hopefully the right kind of attention."

"You worry it's going to scream Liam a bit TOO loudly?" She says

"It could."he agrees "Or attention from Prodigals."

"I don't think the name is what will draw prodigals. They don't, as a rule, know us well enough to know house comparisons"

Frank nods. "Then, just the former. But that is nothing liam have not dealt with before."

"Then whatever Liam you put in charge of this, he or she needs to be alert with some armed training?"

"It would not come amiss. There are thosee that would target Liam wards."

"How can I help? Besides Paperwork I mean?"

"Not really sure." Is the old troll bemused? "Never set up a children's home before."

"And I have?" She laughs "First thing to do is find out if the count having 'started this' has bought some land already or just set up some paperwork or what. Then getting things built. As he's covering costs, you should be able to set something up nicely"

Frank nods. "Details, yes. And, I suppose, a vision."

"Well Mountain, the vision is up to you, but if I may, this is clearly a Liam entrusted project. What d oyou want these children to learn?"

Frank thinks. "First, that their needs are met. There's.... a pyramid. M-something. Masslaw. Masslow?"

"Yes, Maslow's hierarchy of needs" She nods "Food, warmth rest, then above that, safety and security, and it gets more involved as it moves up. A roof over the their heads, full bellies, we can do that easily"

"That's it." Frank agrees. "Once the base is laid, the rest can come, but not before. So we start with that."

"And yes, it will all be a little harder with kids who have been in the system."

"I think we can get help. The Count will fund, but we know boggans who do construction and more"

"Perhaps there are Dreamers who might design...."

"AH.. well then, Frank, there you go. You want to have dreamers help. " She smiles "Write that down."

His beard moves, but he writes it down on a notepad. He also writes down 'Maslow's pyramid.'