#rivervale_lodge

"Thing is....." Frank sips his juice "The Great Houses have a legendary Founder. One through hardship and adversity created the basis for the House and who exemplifies its goals and faults. A Founder who the Dreaming acknowledged and elevated so that all who Oath and follow that Founder and House carry a spark of those goals and faults with them for their lifetimes if not longer. All of the Great House Founders are Sidhe."

"Of course, nothing says the DeBukes might not find a way to attract Da'an and the Dreaming's attention in a time and place of Legend and secure that Blessing for them and their family." he admits.

"Oh, well, that don't seem hardly fair" Juniper hurumphs

Frank nods; life is not fair.

The boy sighs, "Well, I'll find a way around it if I have to." He ponders "When life's not fair, that's an invitation to get creative"

An eyebrow. "Creativity is one of the things that gives life to the Fae. Might have some caution when it comes to getting Creative to mold the Dreaming to your own will. Da'an will out."

He winces "Yes, Mountain. Anyway, you think this hold needs more troll kids?" He looks about

"Are we talking about day visitors or residents? Not permenently, necessarily, but in general?"

"I reckon all the above? I know you got twin boys but they patrol a lot and hang out with one of your thanes"

"Patrols are not obligatory but most folks tend to take some." Frank agrees "Depending on the individuals I suppose both sorts could be accomodated. Both sorts, and other sorts, if it comes to that."

"Of course, it all depends on the Chieftess."

"Course, the head honchoette, like Chief Clem"

"Chieftess Brekke Shacklebreaker." Frank confirms "The Grimhand."

"Well shooot sir, you don't have to remind me, you wife's a legend. We got songs about her, we kids.. use em to skip rope"

"Interesting." Frank considers for a moment, then stands. "Come with me. I'll introduce you."

"Sure" he says following

Frank leads him out to the sparing ring in back.

There, Chieftain Brekke Shacklebreaker is going through a practice drill with a wooden axe against a pell. The combinations of blows are a flurry of smooth strikes and transitions, and she grunts a bit as she throws each blow.

Frank leads him over and leans against the fence, watching with quiet pride.

She finishes her set, and then sees them as she glances over. A pleased expression for Frank, then a curious lift of brows for the childling. She sets aside her weapon. "Who is this?"

"Juniper DeBuke, Ma'am" He holds out his hand "Real pleased to meet you. I'm on a bit of an expedition tryijng to learn more about noble holds, how they work." All true

She shakes his hand seriously. "A DeBuke, studying noble holds?" A puzzled frown. "That seems unusual."

"I don't want to bore you with the details, Chief ma'am" True..ish... it's not boredom he's trying to avoid

"And may I say what a LOVELY lodge this is?" TRUE

"I am pleased you find it so. An...I am not easily bored by details," she adds pointedly. "But I will help as I can. What is it you wish to know?"

"What holds around here, noble holds, treat commoner trolls, such as myself with warm welcome and good manners, but not too much bossy bossy nosey nosey?"

A blink. "Well...I think that would largely depend upon the behavior of the guest. Caer Falken, the County seat, is a sidhe hold led by my liege, Count Hemlock, who has generally been well-disposed towards our kith. However, I think you may find Teaneck more appealing."

"Teaneck, that's the one with the Scathach? Huh... yeah that might work. " He ponders this, then nods "Fair enough. I might ask if I could alternate some visits? Never too young for a fellow to eye a future trade or the like"

This boy smacks a bit of the unseelie side, and may have a future as a hero of guile, or a used cars salesman

"I have no objection to that. Which of the older DeBukes is overseeing this expedition?"

"Oh, it's a committee kind of thing" Ahem TRUE

She nods. "And the committee is headed by..." The questions seem bland, but she is not buying this.

Frank watches, not without stoic amusement.

"Oh you know us DeBukes, got a democratic angle to it...we're modernists.. voting was done." A grin "Well, really nice to visit. I think I'll go check that teanekc spot out" Yup, trying to wiggle out "Real honor, your grimhandedness ma'am"

Frank lifts a brow and looks to Brekke.

An answering brow to Frank, and then she clears her throat. "Mountain, has Juniper had food and drink? I do not wish to see him depart without receiving Rivervale's hospitality."

"I'm afraid he has, yes."

"Darn good viddles, Chief. You should keep that Hearth of yours" A suggestion

"Mm." A nod, regretful that she cannot stall him further. "Then I shall escort you to Teaneck personally," she says. It seems a statement of fact, not an offer.

Juniper's facial expression of a bit too smooth breaks for a moment. Were this a show with sound effects, the record player would back scratch for a second. But he's still a troll. And even the unseelie ones tend to understand higher station and authority "Ah... well, that's a great honor. Hate to keep you but... well, thank you"

Frank nods.

"It will be my pleasure." An a silent but significant look to Frank, a married-brain communication.

He grunts softly and nods.

She takes a brief moment to tidy up a bit, getting dust off of her clothes and boots. "Come," she says to Juniper. "We will take the Jeep." And she turns to lead him to the vehicle.

Juniper waves "Nice meeting you again, Mountain sir"

and follows, and he will talk about corn. Yes, corn. Can perhaps talk for a whole drive about Corn if he can just control the conversation flow

"Pleasure to meet you too, Juniper. Safe travels."

And off they go. It may surprise Juniper that Brekke was a farm-girl herself, and it completely capable of talking about corn.

Frank has a figure come up behind him "curious" Lily whispers now that the Chief is gone with Juniper