#rivervale_lodge

Frank hears chopping sounds out near the lodge.

He pulls on his boots and investigates.

It looks like someone has dragged a naturally fallen tree and begun chopping up firewood. It's Jonas, and he takes it section by section with some proficiency

He whacks, and strikes, the heat of his exercise keeping him from getting too cold. Frank might have some advice how to handle this better. The young man is used to chopping trees in warmer climes, but he hasn't realized near frozen wood can be trickier and break in different ways

Frank comes closer, but does not interrupt. He does not want to startle a man with an axe.

Jonas looks troubled, concerned. And he is working out some of his frustration on the tree

Ah. Frank lets him flail away.

To his credit, ht's not trying to destroy it, he wants this useful as firewood

But he wipes his brow satisfied as a few good pieces are ready thennn he turns 'Oh.. Mountain. I.. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know you were there, Sir"

"Didn't mean to interrupt."

"Quite all right, sir. I'm not sure how much will be needed to be honest. Siv didn't give many details"

"Mm." Frank says stoically. "Help you carry?" He indicates the wood.

"Please" he says "I think we should store it into a dry area until the DeBukes let us know"

This is the first time Frank has heard about the DeBukes making new requests for firewood

"DeBukes?"

"Yes sir, they called in askinng for help with those caught in the blizzard areas, without power and the like. As usual their focus is helping kithain and Kinian, but the Narwhal can do more transport changelings, it can bring blankets and firewood and..." A look att him "And Siv didn't tell you, did she?" Realization kicks in

The Mountain sighs. "She did not. Nor must she."

"No I suppose not. I found out by text" A frown then a sigh "Apologies, sir. I love her, but at times I wish she let me know she was about to leap before she did."

"You are not alone in that."

"I imagine not. how do you .. do you have any advice, Mountain?" He asks as they move the wood

Frank lifts and sets a few times.

"Oh, I say exactly that to her occasionally. But I'm not going to change her. So I have to accept her as she is."

"Truth" he nods "I meant in.. well, rolling with it with grace? I think I need to work on it" He says as they work toggether

Frank's beard moves. "I reject the premise of your statement."

"which premise specifically?"

"That I roll gracefully with her behaviors."

A bit of a smile "perhaps you merely hide your distress well enough for me to be oblivious at times, and I envy that skill"

"Many years of practice."

A nod "I suspected the answer would involve something sensible but frustrating to follow." a thought "Siv is an amazing woman, very dedicated, very dutiful, but somehow she manages to do those duties in often the most chaotic ways possible. I imagine we'll have guests at the lakehouse" Mentioning the building that has been put up for guests that the Chieftain may not always want in the lodge or for when hey are over full. Itt's new, and quite nice, but it's oddly easy to forget about.

Frank frowns. "Now -that- .... something foreseeable and planned... should be brought to the Lodge's attention.

"I'm not certain, Mountain, but with the DeBukes taking in refugees AND having schooling matters they may fill up faster than usual.. and Siv will probably drop some off here"

"I will speak to her."

A frown "Sir, I was not intending to get her in trouble"

"Of course not. She does it so well on her own, she doesn't need help."

A snerk/worry combo at that

"If she has mentioned it to one of the others, but not I, fair enough. If she intended to mention it but had not the opportunity yet, also fair. If she intended to sneak it in...."

"I can't see her SMUGGLING people in "

"Well, I mean, not speakingn of the Fenix projects but here I mean

"

An eyebrow. "Really?"

"I was informed your family was in the covert personel transport business"

Frank goes very blank. "I would not have put it that way."

"And, I meant to suggest that Iwas skeptical about you not being able to imagine Siv smuggling people here."

"If she thought it was the right thing to do?"

"I can see her smuggling folks in sir, but I can't see her just taking over a place and NOT informing the lodge. Why she'd definitely turn to Hearth Kerri for helping them"

"Before the fact?"

"Ah... mmm I... " he ponders "On second thought, no, no wager on that offered "

Frank nods, nad dusts his hands off. All the wood is loaded.

Frank's phone makes a funny noise

Oh, someone is trying one of those text things