#rivervale_lodge

Siv cleans her boots, pets the dogs, and would make a fuss over her cat if Mackerel wasn't now at the apartments. This is to show that live goes on at the lodge and it is still very much her home. Notice how routine this seems, how ordinary (By Kithain standards); yes, we're showing a 'slice of ilfe' using Siv Waveborne to indicate life goes on in the background.

Mackerel must continue visits to the Lodge, otherwise the mousey underlords would wreck havok once again

True. Also, weirdly, she seems to like Connor. Mixed up cat.

Well, the boy knows how to pet correctly, respects her claws, and have Thumbs for Treats.

Siv goes into the kitchen, and does some cleaning

She finds Connor, loading snacks into a backpack.

Bottled water, some granola bars, and some fruit, carefully put in the bottom where it can't be easily stolen by certain monkeys.

"What are you up to, Connor?" A smile

He jumps a bit and almost bonks his ears on the cupboard shelf. Standing straight, he holds a hand just above his head. "Ummm... about four feet, and a few more bits with ears?"

"Uh huh" Amusement "not doing anything that's going to cause Dagmar to fuss or worry I hope?"

"I'd never want to do that."

Crossing his heart with a finger.

"I'm gonna go play with Jack and Lane. We won't even leave the lodge bound'ries. Just a lil' adventure." He thumbs up. "Or else my name's not Blackpaw McGraw."

"Well," She sees no harm in this, "Hope you kids have fun. Camping in the garden again? You you have a light source for when it gets dark? I'm sure you have food, but a light source, a compass..."

"A filtered canteen is good if you're in an area with relatively safe water to drink."

"Aye aye, cap'n!" He pauses, reminded, and pulls out the box of sugar cereal that is kept for special occasions (such as "Kerri has the morning off") "Can I take some Cap'n Crunchberries?"

"Yes. I'll get some more at the grocery store to replace it for the lodge" She says

"Yeee!" He squeals in joy and shoves the box into his backpack. "All set! Don't wait up!"

He crouches by Mackerel and tells her, "You're in charge of the Shadowpaw until I return."

Mackeral rubs against him.

Siv blinks , how the cat got here from the appartments is a surprise but hey

"She got in my bag again... little minx" A huff "Mackeral, make yourself useful and keep an eye out for mice"

Mackeral choses to instead get more pets

Connor salutes (wrong arm, but he has the spirit) and trots out to find his co-conspirators.... er, childling buddies.

Siv returns the salute, and goes back tto cleaning the kitchen. the kids are camping in the garden, what could go wrong?

"Hello, Siv!" Kerri says as she enters the kitchen, bringing laundry from upstairs through to the washing machine. "Oh, thank you for tidying, that's a help."

"Least I can do" She says "I'll be dropping by the grocery store to replace the cereal Connnor took"

"Oh, that boy," she chuckles, loading up the washing machine. "As if he didn't already have breakfast today. But he doesn't seem to be overeating enough to harm himself, and he'll choke down something green when I tell him he needs to, so I guess I can't complain."

"Jack will make him eat vegies.... that kid believes if he helped grow it, people better like it" Siv smiles

Another chuckle. "I'm glad they've found a friend in each other. Partners in crime." She looks out the window to see if the boys are in sight.

Indeed, Connor is chatting with Jack in the garden - he seems to be directing him in gathering some... green beans!

"Layne too apparently. Though for all the fussing Jack and Layne do, you'd think they'd spend less time together"

"Normal at that age. They'll get past that...and what happens next is anyone's guess," she says, giving Siv a grin, then looks back to the boys. "Connor must have decided some veggies are tasty. Look," she nods for Siv to observe the harvesting.

"Huh, okay, that's adorable. Best not tell the DeBukes. They'll try to co opt em"

"Good point. I imagine they wouldn't mind much. The DeBukes know how to wrangle childlings during harvest."

the dogs bark, but only briefly

and then...through the kitchenn door a figure approaches

"Somebody's here," Kerri comments at the dogs barking. She heads for the door, only to meet....

The Sidhe lord is handsome, aren't they all?

She's startled into silence for a moment, then says. "My lord."

"I am Baron Vongroth" the first name said like a first name, "Are you Dame Kerri?"

"I am," she confirms, seeking some sense of House affiliation from his clothing or accessories.

"You have my bride to be's squire in your service. You have forestalled her invites to claim him entirely. You have not released him though he clearly has learned all he needs from you. It is causing her frustration." he says, "You will now send Squire Brogan away from your service" Black ...but so manny houses have black

"I have...what? Wait...please. Before we speak, let me offer you food and drink." A smile that may not entirely cover her bafflement.

"No thank you" He observes

"My lord, this is our HEARTH" siv starts to defend Kerri "And due respect"

"Dame Siv...it's all right," Kerri says. "I've made the offer. The lord is not obliged to accept it. Then...please..." she gestures to one of the chairs in the hall. "Be seated, lord, and we will speak."

"No" he says "I am a baron, you are a dame, and a hastily appointed one born of a Gwydion's desperation at that if tales be right"

"I will" Vongraff continues "Tell you what needs be done, and you will do it. WHile that angry Fiona stands in the corner still and respectful, by the power of the Shining Host, it is SO!" the bunk flares

and the dictum is powerful, striking two at once. Siv's eyes darken, but she moves to the corner... and stands still and respecful. And the kitchen dame? The Hearth?