#rivervale_lodge

A knock on the lodge door

Frank pads in from the kitchen and answers it.

It's Bix, his apprentice, well, part time apprentice? "Hello, Mountain. this a bad time?"

"No." the Mountain moves "Bix.... I'd like to invite you to just come in, when you are here. Or when you arrive. You're welcome here."

"Well, thank you sir, " he says "But manners seemed due anyway seeing as I've been away to Brightwinds.. I thought you might like to know how it was going there"

"I would." Frank shuts the door with Bix inside "Coffee? Or something else?" he heads to the drinks station.

"Coffee's fine with me, sir" He goes on in "I think you'd be proud of Sparrow. She's started a system where each kith gets a representive they pick"

Frank fixes the drinks; coffee for him, cider for himself, and turns to provide them; his beard has shifted place. "Sounds like she has come into her own, a bit."

"She's got some good people with her.. even if I enjoy hassling one of them. " He says honestly, "But I sometimes wondner if tthere's still insecurity at times? Not for me to judge though. I will say she's got diversity. Family of Centaurs, a Wichtel... not to mention a DeBuke.. oh wait, everyone has at least one of those"

Frank looks curious "A -family- of Centaurs?"

"Yes sir, nice ones... Ross is a park ranger, much like the Chieftain here, though he had harder times. His wife Rose, and then there's Nesa. they seem to be supportive of each as a family should be"

"Really?" an eyebrow "Interesting....."

"Neesa's the daughter, wilder age. Seems to have an interest in herbs and such. In fact... it's interesting how each seems to be filling a niche. Rose is a warrioress... Nessa leads towards healling.. heck, throw a rogue in there and you have a Dungeons and Dragons party"

"Or a magic-user." Frank agrees.

"That seems to be Ross.. sort of a mage druid combo"

"Sounds like they are the whole package." Frank sits, sips "How are you fitting in there? The Barony, not the Centaur family....."

"Oh, I wouldnn't say the gay pride scene is hopping, but I've got some good work fixingcars going on. Making some friendns. I get to argue with her seer. Stuck up Aesin but she's okay"

"Aesin?"

"Yes. I don't love the house, but she's all right. I think she wanted to be a hunter but was pushed towards to another role. There's some gender bias in the House. A woamn can become a warrior or the like but she will get picked on for it"

"Mm. What are your other impressions of BrightWinds?"

"The people are still scared of Sidhe.. but the.. you know why fairies were often called 'the good folk' or 'the fair folk ' by mortals of old?"

"I think I might have heard a story, yes."

"It's wishful thinking, they called fae 'good' or 'fair' to hope the fae would act accordingly. That it would appeal to them. the commoners of Brightwinds are like that. They adore the sidhe that are there now, but in part because they donn't want them to become Harkson.. ay of them, the knights, the Baroness."

"Sparrow is nothing like Harkson, of course, couldn't be, never would be... but it's going to take her time to get it in their hearts as well as their heads"

"Does she need help to gain that time?"

"She's got it" he smiles and sips "me for one. But I know what you mean. I don't thin kshe wants help, but a reassuring word even by letter, let her know how you are doing andthat you're proud of her might help. We trolls aren't .. always open, but a few clues to let her know you've got her back if she ever needs it might mean more than some DeBuke kid she barely knows "

Frank nods "I will write to her."

"thanks. As for who is who..."

Frank settles, listens.

Hope the Steward, the other knights... the kids.. the reps he knows... Bix is more a mechanic than a socialite, but he's had time to watch, to study the people.

Frank's shaggy head nods "It sounds like you have your fingers on the pulse there, Bix. Well done."

"Thank you, Mountain." He says "Of course I could be off on one or more. Oh, and please, just because I'm offering to take a letter, don't let that stop you from visitinng. It would make her day to have you and the Chief visit I bet"

"I'll talk to Brekke about it."

"How are things, here, sir? I mean, for my knowledge?"

A beard-smile. "Things are well, here."

"i'm glad. "

"So." drink "Where do you think you are going to focus your efforts? For now; interests and things can change."

"For now, I think I'm going to focus on redeeming troll rep there. The Rovers are great, the thanes are fine, but they're still seenn as 'soldier trolls' I think I want to show them that There are some of us who have duties differently"

"I want to help them see us as just another kith. If that's not arrogant to presume I can?"