#rivervale_lodge

For Frank, life seems to be in quite the swarm. New baby drives everyone to a level of energy

A shame he'll need to get on the road so soon. Still, they will only be a couple weeks older when he returns.

"Okay, what's the news?" Jordan trots in "SOmething about a baby?"

The old troll nods. "So I hear."

"Theon Brek Gardner. Healthy, mom and baby doing fine."

"Cool" He says, "Huh... okay. Even I'm having a hard time being cynical on this one"

"Mmm." Frank nods as he goes through a duffle back, double-checking "Babies can have that affect."

"Yeah I guess" A nod "Need me over here so you can visit the kid?"

"Mm. Thank you, Jordan. You're welcome here, always. I'll visit before I leave but I don't know that you have to stay here for me to do that."

"It's okay, happy to help out Olgar annd with the Hearth leaping full tilt, it's something I can do"

"I'll admit, I'm not quite sure what needs doing. What do you see that needs doing?"

"Well, The kitchen gurus are rotating...but with Siv off to pick Piper and Jonas from the quest... well, frankly your younger daugher's head's beenn out of the game ... Least I can do is patrol or takee messages here or both"

Frank is quiet a moment, then says "Conner's usual around to take messages, or one of the childlings. Why don't you take patrol?"

"You got it" He says

"Thank you."

"Least I can do."

"You've been here for a time." Frank observes. "How's it feel?"

"I feel less bitchy about the downsides. I still think therre are LOT of downsides, but I gett that I bitch too much"

"You're welcome here, Jordan, but not -held- here. Sometimes a wilder needs to stretch thier legs."

"Something to talk to the Chieftess, Hearth, and Mountain about, maybe."

"It's cool. Rover Olgar is my go to mentor, and he lends me his ear"

"Mmm." Frank nods, and zips up the bag.

"But yeah, the rest of you are okay too" A shrug

"Thank you, Jordan. I know you didn't feel that way when you arrived."

He gets ready for a patrol "I didn't" He admits "I don't age like i used to. Have to mature SOMEHOW I guess. "

"From this angle, seems like you're doing pretty well."

"You too... I think retirement agrees with you"

His beard shifts. "Not quite retired yet. But I get what you mean.

"Oh yeah, well, you still work your ass off so not quite retired"

A grin though "See you later, I'm off to patrol"

"I like to keep busy. It's what I know how to do."

A nod "Whateverr feels right I guess" He waves and steps out

"Wouldn't say that, exactly...." Frank comments softly, and goes to upstairs to finish packing.

The front door opens, and Brekke enters from patrol. She cleans off her boots carefully before going to get herself a mug of coffee.

Frank comes downstairs with a second duffle; the first is near his desk. Travel gear.

She turns at the sound of his footsteps and observes the duffels for a moment. "Coffee?" she offers, knowing he doesn't often want it these days.

"Cider?" he suggests.

A nod, and she pours him a glass from the nearby pitcher, glamoured to keep cold.

She brings it to him, and then takes a sip from her mug. Another look to the bags.

"Soon, then?"

He nods. "Day after tomorrow."

"Need to text Gerd, let her know. Although if she wanted to catch the next ride, I'd understand."

"School has started," she points out. "Gerd may not be available."

"Where will you be going?"

"NorthEast run. Up to Vermont, back down along the coast."

He goes to his desk, and brings her a folder; all the details are therein.

She takes it and looks through it briefly. "It is a beautiful time of year for it."

"Want to come with me?" He offers; it's sincere, but not a life-or-death offer.

"Yes," she says with some amused envy, and then hands back the folder. "But I should be here."

Frank indicates the folder is for her. "Kerri, Vali, Dagmar, Sylvi...." he trails off.