#rivervale_lodge

"I hope we are as modest as befits us, yes."

She wrinkles her nose "Some days I fear I do not understand you, dad. But, I love you, and that is enough" She gives him a hug, mostly with her good arm "now, I should get a long sleeve over this before mom comes in and sees it"

"Siv, do you imagine I won't tell her?" dryly.

"Even if she doesn't ASK?"

"Mmph."

Siv sighs "Well if you must you must... I swear, love you both but sometimes I worry if I get killed you're going to try to ground me" She heads up the stairs to change

Sally mae watches her go "She's a brave and fierce wilder, but she's SO unlike you , Mountain, and unlike her mother too"

Frank's quiet a long moment. "When we were younger..... well. It was a long time ago."

"Ah, sorry," she smiles at something, "Oh, sure I can't get you more coffee?"

"Yes. I've been drinking less of it. Keeps me awake when I don't want to be."

"Oh, should we switch to Decaff for you?"

"No, thank you Sally Mae. I'd like to be able to sleep in my own bed, versus the stable." wry.

"Oh yes. I still remember when I first came here and offered the fancy blend. Almost got myself exiled back to the farm in the first week"

He nods.

Frank settles back in at his desk with his reading.

And Sally Mae leaves him be.

Oak however, wanders over and settles near his feet

Frank reaches down and skritches those ears.

Happy Thump

Frank looks down at Oak. "At least you're sensible, hm?"

Wag , sympathetic head bump.

The troll chuckles. "Later on, we'll patrol, hm?"

Another wag at that!

Siv comes down, long sleeves "Patrol?"

"Later on. Oak and I."

"Mmm" She grunts (Well, I guess he won't give you a fuss)

Eyebrow.

She touches her throat "Whoops.. just slipped out"

"Hmph."

She smiles contritely "Hey, at least I'm finally getting the lingo?"

Oak gives Frank another sympathetic look

"Mmmm."

Never the less, Siv lets her dad and Oak patrol without butting in on the boys club ( 😉 ) and she rests by the fire

(end Scene)