#rivervale_lodge

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The morning after Spamalot, after Kerri has prepared a breakfast of eggs & Spam hash, because it had to happen, Brekke asks Frank for a moment to talk.

"Of course." he rumbles. "Here? Privately?"

She looks around the room which seems empty enough. "Here seems fine for now. You said recently that Oak had expressed a desire for...companionship?" She clears her throat.

"Yes." Frank nods. "I was thinking I might collect some possibilities when I hit the road. Or even ask Oak along on a trip."

She nods. "We have had a timely offer. I wished to speak with you prior to suggesting it to Oak. The offer comes from Baroness Nadeen."

"Nadeen? I thought she moved to New York."

"Yes. She is at SilverWolf. Apparently, they are interested in breeding one of their Ovcharkas with Oak, possibly starting a new line. I am cautious, but I cannot come up with a reasonable objection, and Oak has need."

"Silver... Ailil. Connor's father." Frank frowns.

"Yes." She nods. "I do not trust the house...but I trust Nadeen. She will not harm Rivervale, or any resident therein. If she ensures Oak's safety, I trust her. She has offered that they bring one of their dogs down, rather than having Oak travel up."

Frank tilts his head. "Do you remember how we came to have Star here?" ((I think it was Star....))

"I do. I have told Nadeen that the DeBukes would get the first issue of breeding, and I asked that we take the third choice...but perhaps it would be better to say we would take any that did not satisfy SilverWolf's standards."

She looks at him. "I understand your caution. Am I correct that you advise against this?"

He is quiet, thinking. "I think we should ask Oak."

"I agree."

"I believe he is outside. Let us find him."

"Brekke, I must admit I'm not at all sure that Nadeen would not harm Rivervale or any resident -if- it suited her ambition to do so." quietly, as they head outside "And the way Connor was treated, and other 'imperfect' offsprings were treated.... is not the way I would wish any to be treated by those they rely on."

She nods slowly, considering, as they move into the yard. Then she gives a sharp whistle and calls, "Oak!"

Oak bounds quickly towards them ready for trouble if need be!

Seeing no trouble, he skids to a stop at their sides and wags in greeting

Frank kneels to greet Oak.

Brekke grins and reaches down to pet him, rumpling his ears gently with both hands, a bit of glamour in her fingers enacting the bunk.

Oak wags harder happy for the touch, the cantrip taking root

She chuckles slightly at the happy wags. "Hello, Oak. We need to speak with you. Frank has told me about your request for a mate. We have had an offer for you to be able to breed with a female from the SilverWolf barony, where both Connor and Star came from. I think this may be a fine offer...however, there are risks. The SilverWolf baron does not accept imperfections in his animals...this is why Star is with us. I could offer for Rivervale to keep any of the offspring he deems unsatisfactory, but I agree with Frank that this is an attitude that is concerning. We wish to know: what do you think of this offer?"

Oak seems to muse it over, then "I do wish to be , for a moment, one with another as nature intends..." A ghoutht "If the puppy is imperfect, he or she is no less mine. If any that are imperfect in the eyes of the mother and her master would be discarded, could you bring him or her to me? I will protect the runt. I will teach the runt. Any dog can be a good dog, if givenn the chance"

She nods. "This can be done. If they will not agree to this, there will be no breeding at SilverWolf. If that happens, we will not stop the search. Frank...do you have a question I may ask Oak?"

"Oak, is it important to you to make a connection with your lady?"

(assuming the question is repeated by Brrekke) the dog looks at him a bit ashamed "I am not a wolf, it would be nice to make a friend or a forever mate, but that is not the way of dogs normally. There are not enough fae hounds, there is no shame in more than one mate among us. " a beat "I hope that does make me any less of a good dog in your eyes, master?"

"Never, Oak. I know things are different for you."

(Sorry, yes! She serves as intermediary.)

At that assurance he wags

"I agree, Oak...you have always been a Very Good Dog, and I do not see your desires changing that. Then know this: There is an option for you to go to SilverWolf, or for SilverWolf to bring a mate here. I would prefer they bring one here, but I can be flexible. Do you have a preference?"

"If mistress would be happier with their dog being here ? Then I would be happier too"

Brekke nods and pets him. "You are a Very Good Dog," she asserts again as the cantrip fades.

Wag and lean into the pets. The cantrip is over, but the love remains

Frank joins in, skritching.

Brekke looks to Frank as they both pet the dog. "I will speak with Nadeen."

MANY Happy pets

Frank nods.

"I know it is not your preference, but I think we have a good compromise. And the more that the Baron is connected here, the more likely he may someday acknowledge his son properly. This is my hope."

Frank's expression is skeptical but he nods assent.

"That said...I think you should continue to seek other options, as well. There is no guarantee that the SilverWolf female will accept him, at least not right away. Even though he is a Very Good Boy."

"He is." Frank agrees gravely. "I will continue looking, then."

A nod. "Excuse me. I have call to make." She turns to go back into the Lodge.

Frank stands watching Brekke's abrupt departure, one hand still on Oak's noggin.

Oak barks. Walk?

Not so abrupt...but she did promise Oak that she would call Nadeen.

Within the Lodge, Brekke squeezes herself into the phone closet.

And dials.

"Hello, Tanya Brown here"