#rivervale_lodge

And the door open as Brekke and Dagmar finally make it to Rivervale Lodge

"...so, yes, many of the fairy and fantasy tales you may have heard are based on our reality...and which came first is a chicken-and-egg question that many have argued about for ages." They enter while Kerri is in the midst of the first lesson. The Hearth looks over. "Chieftain Brekke, Dame Dagmar, I'm glad you're back." The formal titles a bit of expositional assistance for the new arrivals.

"Thank you, Hearth." The long walk back has given Brekke a chance to let her temper subside a bit, especially after hearing from Symon that the Jeep was not so much stolen as employed as part of the rescue of the new fledges.

Dagmar eyes the pair.

Kerri gives the newcomers a wink, and she rises to fill a coffee mug for the Chieftain. "Dr Pepper coming right up," she says to Dagmar as she goes into the kitchen.

"Thank you," Brekke mutters to Kerri again, and then she settles herself in her seat by the balefire with a sigh. She also eyes the new fledges.

"Which of you drove the Jeep?"

"I plead the 5th" The pooka tosses some keys at Brekke meaning her to catch them, "The pasty dude held a gun to her our head, said get to safety. I Figured driving was faster than the moonwalk. " He doesn't seem too apologetic

"Nolan, apologize for taking her car, we don't need enemies out of folks who helped save our asses" Audrey humphs

He tries to talk "I'm laughing with de..." A breath "I'm really wishing you had an extra vehicle so ..." A sigh "Oops?" And a hands palms turned up gesture

Brekke catches the keys easily with an economy of motion, and sets them aside. "I understand the necessity," she says evenly.

She shakes her head. "He will not be able to say what he means," she says to Audrey. "It is his nature."

"Pooka can't tell the straight truth. Don't know if Kerri got to that part."

"Kerri did," Kerri says as she comes back and hands Dagmar her drink. "But I know there's a lot to remember and work out."

"Yeah and apparently I'm going to be a hoarder..." Audrey sighs

"Nolan, Audrey," Kerri says, "this is Baroness Brekke, Chieftain and Storm of this Lodge. And this is Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike. I know you have already met, but I suspect there was not time for introductions."

A somber nod from the Chieftain to the new pair.

"Well , I misunderstood Dagmar.." Audrey looks her over "Sorry I was ready to punch you in the nose. I was protecting my brother at the time and thought you might be after him"

"You are siblings?" Brekke asks.

"Well, I guess you saw a least part of what I was worried about happening." A pause. "We killed it."

"Mm." Brekke nods at Dagmar's words and takes a sip of her coffee.

"Twins, that's why I have tits" Nolan declares

His sister glares at him, then says to Brekke "Fraternal twins. Yeah. "

A brow at Nolan, and another serious nod to Audrey. "It is better that you have both awoken together, then. It would be a difficult secret to keep from a twin."

"Did something set it off?"

Audrey frowns "Well, there was a ..tramau"

Nolan puts a hand on his sister, a comforting gesture

Brekke leans forward. "What happened?"

Her jaw sets. "Right."

Now that the Chieftain is here, Kerri has moved a bit aside...still a reassuring presence, but more watchful than actively engaging in the discussion.

" I was an idiot, a guy lead me on to show me something and ... " Her face flushes red at anger at the memory, "he had a friend, they tried to take ... take..."A breath "Everything a man can take from a woman."

"OH yeah," her brother says sarcastically "Totally YOUR Fault because some monsters decide not to keep things in their pants"

Brekke scowls. She looks to Dagmar.

"Trauma can set it off, yeah." She manages. Anger simmers off the tall girl, a deep-seated bank of burning rage.

"Hey, relax, " Audrey says to the trolls "It didn't happen. I got rescued."

True

Brekke looks back to Audrey. "Yes. What happened to the ones who tried to harm you? And who rescued you?"

"That's good. Who rescued you?"

"And old man in shades came out, and got their attention, then knifed one of them." Audrey smiles "I remember that much"

Brow.

"Hm." She considers the possibilities. Torin?

"And then your dream dance began. Your...change."

"Yup then and there is when it happened " Nolan says . A lie. But he is a pooka

Brekke looks puzzled at that, and looks to Audrey.

"No.. I texted my brother.... guy and his lady friend brought me a cup of coffee while I waited"

"I see." She waits for more of the story.

"It's kind of a blur" She admits... "Nolan, I don't suppose you..shit you can't tell us can you?"

"You will learn how to understand Nolan," Kerri says quietly. "Just as Nolan will learn how to make himself understood."

"Nolan, you could try telling us what didn't happen."