#rivervale_lodge

"The num nums help" Gerd observes

Frank takes a steadying breath, and steadying sip of coffee.

and once fed, Oak moves to Frank's side, and leans against him happily

Frank scratches him with his free hand.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

"I bet his puppies are soon if not already here" Gerd observes "By now, he might be a daddy
"

"Mm." Frank looks at the dog "Might not hurt to ask."

"Fine. I'll visit and talk to Dame Gladiola and her unhealthy Dog Pimping focus"

Gerd sighs

"I'll talk to Brekke about it." Frank corrects.

"Yes sir," She looks a bit amused at the correction but accepts it

"Good on you, Oak" Tig smiles

Frank pats the pup.

MOre tail thumping. Oak gets Frank. And is always happy to be there when needed.

Tig looks over "Hey, guess who only has ten minutes to get back to school?" A glance at Gerd.

"ACK" Gerd realizes the time, "Oh well, at least it was real food. Bibbity bobbity boo!"

and she vanishes

A soft snort.

Tig grins with wolf teeth for a moment, "I'll start that patrol."

"Mm."

"Safe patrol."

A nod and out he goes.

And frank and Oak wait for Brekke to wake. Each faithful in their own ways

(End scene)

Not much later, Frank can hear the familiar creak of their bedroom door.

Frank looks up the stairs.

Oak wags

Brekke comes downstairs in clean, pressed clothing, her hair brushed and braided. She gives Frank an apologetic grin as she descends the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, she pauses to pet Oak.

Frank stands.

"Hello."

Oak bumps against her nicely

Brekke straightens. "Hello," she says quietly. Then a sigh. "We survived another one," she says wryly.

Tail wag

"We celebrated another." Frank rumbles.

She colors at that. "Perhaps. I do not remember clearly."

Fortunately, except for Oak, there seem to be no witnesses

She reaches to take his hand. "Thank you," she says quietly.

"All times." he responds.

A nod. She releases his hand and turns to sit in her chair by the balefire. "News?"

"MMm. Limited. Still.... limited." he confesses "I wish I had more to tell you."

"The Lodge survives. Goldfinch ....did well."

"I think."

She shakes her head. "It may be the best news, that there is little news."

Frank pours another set of coffees. And offers Brekke one.

"Going up to rest." he says about himself.

She accepts the coffee gratefully, taking his hand again before he goes. "Dream well."

Then she lets him go, and watches as he goes upstairs.

And so he goes to rest.

She sips her coffee, then reaches down to pet Oak again. "I hope your Samhain went well," she says to the balefire. And then adds, to Oak, "And yours."