#rivervale_lodge

Samhain night...

Vali returns.. "Well, it's onto goldfinch now, Frank. HOw'd I do?'

He grunts; probably means approval. He paces near the window, looking outside and then up the stairs to the room he shares with Brekke, and back. Pacing.

"Thanks" he takes it as approval

Frank's expression has gained a somehow feral look, his eyes seem darker. He goes to stand at the bottom of the stairs looking up, then back to the window.

"Siv is helping hannd out canndies to kids there" Vali adds in case the father did not know

He grunts.

Mmm "Good trip?"

Grunt.

He pours Frank some coffee

Frank is singularly uninterested.... and probably doesn't need the caffeine; he seems a bit keyed-up.

MMm yes, but DeCaff in the lodge brings sorrow

(Decaf is an abomination, of course.)

Vali chuckles "Maybe I'll do a coffee rreading later. Night for omens"

"Mm."

"Part of the job. Anything you guys want me to search for in particular"

He shakes his shaggy head; no.

A shrug

"Well, I'll see what I can uncover" he paces too

Sounds upstairs, a door opening and closing...Frank knows it's the door to the room he shares with Brekke.

He looks up, alert.

Brekke stands at the top of the stairs, then, looking down. Her hair, though in its customary braid, is still unkempt, loose strands scraggly around her face. Her clothing is wrinkled.

"Chieftain" He gives a troll salute

"It went well?" she says, her voice a low grumble. "At Goldfinch?"

"Yes. At least what i saw of it. Sylvi has the hold there ready to leap into it"

Frank comes from the window to the bottom of the stairs, eyes riveted on Brekke.

She nods, frowning. "That is good. They need her." She meets Frank's look and is very still for a moment, then she looks away and starts to come downstairs.

"I'll cast some portents, is therre anything you want me to search for?"

Frank is tense, as if he's ready to spring up the stairs.... but he waits.

Kerri comes out as Vali asks that, bearing a platter of roasted meat and chunks of bread. "You could find out who isn't contributing to the barony, Mountain," she says a bit sternly. "Whose deadweight are we carrying?" She sets the platter down on the table and stands nearby.

Brekke comes down to stand near Frank. She considers the question. "Will the barony thrive?" she asks quietly.

"Noted, Hearth, but I tthink I'll lean towards the Chief's question as a priority"

"You can do both, I think," Kerri says, giving him a look that suggests he might be slacking, otherwise.

Frank steps to stand behind Brekke, sliding both arms around her waist.

Vali chuckles "Okay, okay... Donnor party table of 8... seven... five... I'll get the omen rreadin maerial"

Brekke closes her eyes and inhales sharply at the touch, then swallows and looks at the floor...but she rests her hands on Frank's.

He nuzzles her hair, inhaling.

"I can tell you this, Hearth.. the kids at Goldfinch are contributing..."

"I got that impression, too. Then again, they've been taught well enough how to care for hold and land. At least, most of them."

"Oh, some of the kith are going to cut loose a bit, but all for the best."

Brekke mutters, "Frank," quietly abashed.

Then she comments to Vali, "They have the right to. They should not be held back, I think."

Though her voice remains a low grumble.

Frank grunts, and he doesn't move away; he doesn't press further, though.

"They'll hold themselves back. It'll mean more"

Kerri snorts. "You think they will? I'm not so sure. There's a pretty strong rebellious streak in that lot."

"Mountain," Brekke rumbles, "ask that. Ask the future of Goldfinch."

A nod and he turnns to the fire, a fire he onw has ties to. He throws over autumn leaves

They burn in the fire, annd he evokes

and he throws in a stolen cupcake 'Had to snitch it or the magic wouldn't work so..."