#rivervale_lodge

Brekke might even be interested about what new irrigation methods the farm is using, so hopefully Juniper has been paying attention.

Juniper wracks his brain, but thank goodness he had some kin that still pull him by his collar to get him to focus so yeah, he knows. It is possible the cheeky shine on the boy might have less luster

He's lucky the drive to Teaneck is not too long. But by the time they arrive, he might be feeling that he lost this round.

Indeed. When dropped off, he shakes her hand again. No reason given.

She shakes his hand, but with a bemused expression. Then she also gets out of the parked Jeep. Oh, good grief, she's going to escort him in.

....... Meanwhile

Lily whispers to Frank "Mountain, that boy is up to something"

"I know." he rumbles softly.

"well, i think he's spying here. that's ..rude. Symon is the one who spies here." A beat "he called dibs"

"I'm sure your day will come."

"oh, he lets me lend lease" she says straight faced

Frank nods, turning slowly; he's a big guy, after all.

"mountain, is everything okay with you? I.. is your family in trougble?" Worried look VERY

"As far as I know, my family is well. Is there something I need to know?"

"if there is, I don't know it, honest, or you'd be the first person I'd sell it to"

((D, are there typos there?))

(Corrected)

"I mean.. sell the secrets to" She adds with a blush

"Mmm. Thank you. As far as I know all is well."

"should I spy on the DeBuke kids for you? "

"Do you think there is reason to? You might know better than I."

"Well, practice is part of the reason, but he did just tell a Gwydion it was a committe, and she didn't find it a lie. So maybe more than one childling involved? Symon says we Slaugh have to look after trolls sometimes or the big blues will go off and try something heroic and get themselves hurt without intell"

"Mm." Frank does not argue "What if the DeBukes met in committee? Why spy on the childlings?"

"Well, first, you have to spy to see if you need to spy, spying on peopole is often a growth industry " lily observes "Even checking on folks and finding out there's nothing to learn can each you something"

"I won't direct you to spy on our allies and friends, Lily."

"Oh yes, of course" Lily nods "I forgot. "

Frank pauses. "How are you and -your- family, Lily?"

She sighs "Dad and mom don' trust nobles anymore... except Granny Bondraste maybe."

Frank nods gravely. "That is... unfortunate."

"they avoid court functions, they don't ggo to freeholds.. I give them glamour now and then"

Frank frowns. "Where are they staying now?"

"Dad still has work around here some...mom is near Earth runes but prefers the Keyclub... they've ggot an offer to move to KansasCity. No noble rule there.. no onne to 'tell them what to do then mess things up'"

Frank frowns more deeply. "Kansas City....can be difficult. There are many forces at work there, and some are deeply banal."

"Do they feel the same way about the Lodge? Do you think they would come here?"

"oh, they have some changelings friends down there. Mom says Miss CC understannds"

Frank rubs the base of his horns.

"And, nnno sir, they count you as just more nobles"

A heavy sigh. "I see."

"I'm sorry. I've made your head hurt" she sighs "I shouldn't have said anything"

"No, Lily." Frank says gently "Thank you for telling me."

Lily..gives his leg a hug "Thank you , Mountain. You're nice and I feel I can talk to you"

Frank carefully crouches and offers a proper hug. "Thank you, Lily. That is always nice to hear."

"it's nice to be heard" the girl's whisper does carry lightly

A deep rumblechuckle. "Yes. Having a voice is important, as is being recognized."

A nod "I worry I maybe gregarious, because sometimes, I want folks to notice me. Most unnseemly" She blushes

"Mm." he stays crouched "I don't know. I think sometimes it could be used to great effect."

"well, miss zara is amazingly scary... " Approving "And quite clever and she is rumored to be... less reserved"

"Meanwhile, while I have not spent much time with her, I find her very soft-spoken and withdrawn. A matter of perspective, perhaps."

"Oh yes,sir,by sluagh standards she is to be admired for overcoming her grave affliction. I am sure she holds out hope that full crone hood will help her overcome it"

"A hope I'm sure we all share." he murmurs.