#rivervale_lodge

Mice. She has mice, in her kitchen, near YULE

Well, okay not that near, but close eough Kerri might fuss

The evidence is nothing short of horrifying to the Hearth. This has never happened at Rivervale! Now that it has...this means WAR.

But first, it's time to call in the reinforcements. She quickly dials Siv.

Yes, dials. Not text.

Siv picks up "hello?"

Where ever Siv is, she has the time to answer a phone

"Siiiiv!" The way she draws out the name doesn't sound particularly Kerri-like. Sounds more like somebody trying to sound more casual than she feels. "Hiii. Got a moment?"

"Aunt KErri? I do... but.. unlike mom, you know how to text. Is the lodgge on FIRE?" Clearly this sounds bad

three packages with chewing spots... droppings under the stove

"No! Oh, no, nothing so...um...dire." Worse. "But...ah...well, I was just wondering...how's Mackerel doing at the apartments?"

"Oh, she's a sweetie, I I think she misses the raftters at the lodge ... she and Symon shared now annd then, but she's adapting"

"Now, see, we can't have her feel like she's exiled from here. How would you feel about her coming back for a visit for a couple of...weeks?"

"Weeks?" A blink "Ah, Hearth. I love my cat. why would I leave her for weeks ? " A beat "is this a trrick to make sure I visit more often? I have been patrolingg proper I thougght? Looking in at least every other day"

"Uhmmmm...." She's tempted to use that excuse, but it wouldn't be fair to lie. She lowers her voice: "Siv, can you just brink Mackerel for a visit? I'll...I'll explain more when you're both here. But please...not a word to anybody."

A pause then "Sure, Aunt Kerri. I'll be right over. 15 minutes tops"

"Thank you!" She hangs up, then pulls on some rubber gloves. First, sanitize. Then...eliminate.

But she pauses....

"Hmm."

The vermin arre hiding

but their marks are thee

there*

She clears her throat, and then intones: "_Three blind mice, full of vice. They'd better run, before setting sun! The Hearth has notice your pitter-pat, and soon you'll face a great, big cat, better far to hurry and SCAT! You three blind mice!" A dictum on the creatures, and she puts a bit of her own glamour into it to boost it.

And suddenly, Mice come out, iroically three of them... and they march to the door outside

"And STAY out!"

"...and if you have any relatives still here, take them with you!"

She hurries to wipe and bleach and wipe again.

Well she has to open the door for them, but yes. Assuming she does, tthey're ggone

And Siv comes in with Mackerel "What's the situation?"

The kitchen smells VERY freshly sanitized. Kerri keeps a clean kitchen, but this feels a little bit extra. "Siv! So glad you're here. And Mackerel!" She reaches to give the cat an affectionate scritch behind the ears.

"The situation..." she says, lower her voice "...is mice." Ending on a whisper.

Mackerel, who was looking irked at being draggged out, flips attitude and takes the pets

"Mice?" Siv says, a bit louder than the Hearth migght like "Is that all?"

At the word Mice, Mackerel licks her lips

"SHhhhh!" She waves Siv to silence and looks toward the door to the main hall. "Look...I've never had mice here since I started here. I will NOT have them besmirch this kitchen now!" Oh, she's got her war face on.

"I used a dictum to get rid of the ones that were here...but they're sure to send reinforcements. I could use a little backup until I'm sure the perimeter is secure."

"And that's where Mackerel comes in."

Siv looks.. is she DARING to smile? She's trying to reign it in, but it's escaping "I... I sense a bargaining chip. Justt kiddinngg.. sure, Mackerel can stay here until yule"

Kerri's eyes narrowed at the suggestion of a bargain, but then she relaxes. "Thank you, Siv. And thank you, Mackerel. Whew!" Palpable relief.

"Well, you're Hearth, you could DRAFT my cat for all intents and purpsoses.. .wait, you ddictumed mice?"

Meanwhile, Mackerel roams the kitchen, sniffing over the bleach smells, check out corners

"I..." A blink. Siv knows. Doesn't she?

Siv looks at her, "Does the Mountain and mom know about you beingg able o do that? " She says, looking.. oddly pragmatic

"The Chieftain knows." Some bargaining might be essential after all. Stupid, Kerri. Stupid, stupid, stupid....

"Well, that's what matters, though you should tell Vali, he's Mountain now" Firm "My opinion doesn't matter. "

A pause. "What is your opinion, though?"

"You're a noble, though I've never seen you embrracce it. Should be quite handy for you" Siv nods "Earth Runees uses it responsibly. So i know it can be done ,and you've never been frivilous"

Kerri listens, and nods slowly. "I avoid it. But...mice are insidious."

"Well, I have a ship so I've no love of mice myself" She confesses "But... don't you think you might be over reacting a wee bit?"

Clearly, Siv will never be a Hearth