#rivervale_lodge

Frank wanted things simple but deferred to Vali. Vali was fine with that, but then, he did invite the Countess of Charm. Is anything simple when Thea is involved?

A "great gathering" is far more fanfare than the triad of leaders had when they first took their positions here at the Lodge. It has always been a simple affair...but yes, the visiting dignitary complic...ah... enliven matters.

Indeed. Gerd seems pleased "Adelaide will be here"

"When's the last time you saw her, Gerd?" Kerri asks as she tidies.

Dagmar is meticulously icing cupcakes.

"Last month, fllicker flashing has it's advantages"

"It does, indeed," Kerri says with a grin. "And she's well?"

"Oh she has grown more cryptic but I call her on it. Eiluned casuality"

Still Gerd looks fond

Siv is fussing, she put up the decorations, but are they perfect? MOST unlike her. Got to be perfect for dad

Purple glitter sugar on chocolate icing so dark it is nearly black. These are her babies!

The other tray holds blue-iced cupcakes with silver sparkles.

Kerri looks around at the busy crew...and enjoys.

There's a good, savory scent of roasting meat from the oven. (Barbecue would not suit for the Countess's tastes.) And there's a large array of breads and cheeses and fruits to be sorted out and put on the tables...but not too soon.

Not until things actually begin.

Connor is having BIG sniffs…

"The blue ones are Connor-safe, but you have to wait. Now, there's that bowl of blue icing's gotta be cleaned..."

“I CAN DO IT!”

A nock on the door

A bowl, and a pup, vanish. Surely to get the “pre wash cycle”, but as long as it's washed with soap later, right?

Surely!

Kerri hurries to the door and opens it.

Anne Marie is there with Myrtle Anne and come in, Tovid and Jack. With Extra food!

"The cavalry has arrived!" she announces, welcoming them all in with smiles and helping them set out some of what they brought, while the rest goes into the kitchen for later.

"I hope the Mountain likes blue jello"

Anne Marie asks "How can I help?"

Kerri knows better than NOT give Anne Marie something to do. "I absolutely cannot seem to get these centerpiece decorations quite right," indicating the vases overflowing with late summer flowers.

"No worries, help is here..." And in a lower comment "And bless you. I get twitchy otherwise"

SIV however is alarmed " I KNEW I screwed up the decorations. Damn.. it has to be right... and I can't seem to be getting any of it right"

"Siv." Kerri goes to her (or stands at the base of her ladder, if necessary). "Come help me in the kitchen just a moment. Then you can get back to it."

"But it's still lifting tto the left and dad likes things tidy and.. oooo" She turns and follows tthe Hearth

JACK is greeting Dagmar already "So... cupcakes, is there a limit per kid?"

"Everybody gets one before anybody gets seconds."

Once away from the crowd (and perhaps outdoors in back, if the cupcakes are happening in the kitchen), Kerri rests a hand on Siv's shoulder. "I know for sure that one thing your father would not want at all would be to see you anxious and upset, especially not about preparations made for him." Her tone is gentle.

"That sounds fair" Jack sighs, fair means he can't ge three up front

Siv blushes "I'm spazzin' , aren't I?" A look at KERRI

"Yup, life is hard."

"Little bit," Kerri says with a nod.

"Whatever you do to celebrate your father? Do it with love and happiness, not stress."

"So hard" Jack laments "mom would't let me snack"

"Well, there's plenty of food."

Siv hurmphs "Sorry. I thought I had it down. Been helping out... handling my patrols. Assisting Vali with the transition... thouht was totally on the ball, but the closer we got, the less happy I was with how it was done"

"Well...I have to agree with you there. I think it was a bit clumsy, at least at the grump level. We could all have sorted it out a bit smoother for all of you. But...you're not going to hold a grudge about that, I hope?"

"Oh no, you've been great all of you I just mean MY .. let's face it, nothing is too good for my dad .. and now i"m like nothing is good ennough. that's MY Damage. But I'll not blame anyone, nnot even myself. "

Kerri tilts her head a bit. "Is there something else wrong, Siv? Something I don't know about?"

"Ah, well, I.. might have nearly forgoten who I was earlier this week. Itt's okay, I got to Goldfinch just in time. ..but , it's thte first time I went to another hold besides home. It. It was closer but I felt like I .. cheated on Rivervale. Is that weird?"

If Kerri is alarmed about the forgetting, she covers it smoothly enough. A bit of a grin. "I think I can say with some authority that Rivervale's glad that you got somewhere where you could be helped when you needed it!" Proof of concept for Goldfinch, too, she thinks to herself.

"Well, Piper pushed me to get a different Job, and I realized she was worired so I went with it... but it's been bothering. I'm told to support Vali, and I will. But I.. I AM Adjustinng to it.. and then.. Goldfinch, support it.. and I did... annd do.. but .. I worry I'm just givinng up on things I love too easily"

She thinks about this for a moment. "I know I'm not you. You're the only one who can say what's true for you. But Siv, nothing in what you've been doing has struck me as giving up on anything. It seems more like you've been branching out and trying more, not giving up. Not everything you try is going to be a good fit -- and when that happens, you're not giving up to abandon it. You're choosing something else. You have that right, you know."

"I know..."A whisper "Don't tell PIper? But .. I donn' like Goldfinch as much. Its great, but it's not home"