#rivervale_lodge

Buck trots across the footbridge, looking about.

"Awooooo's there?!" Connor calls out a welcome/challenge request, but in a very friendly manner.

"Buck" He grins "You may remember me. Yule star centaur?"

Indeed Buck... he gives rides

"ALL centaurs are Yule star centaurs so far." His tail wags. "Never heard of you. But I guess I can pass the Buck." Trotting aside, as though he could have actually blocked the path.

"What brings you to my humble abode?"

He says "I'm on a quest. Thought I'd ask folks here for help. Sir Franklyn maybe"

Buck says "Maybe you could help me, come to thinnk of it. Knnow something the DeBuke farm cann use that even they don't know?"

Connor thinks about this.

"Everyone needs a friend. And you never know if someone is going to be a friend until you give them a chance."

"Mm I think at least some of them know they need to be more open, but they've had troubles making that happen" He ponnders "What friends do you have in mind?"

"I don't know..." A little glum, "But flowers don't cut it."

"mmm guess they don't.. you want a lift?" He offers a ride ontto his back "I'm on a quest. Part of it is to get the farm something they need but didn't know they need. Why I asked. they've got good eason to be nervous about sidhe nobles, true. But you know the old saying about cats and hot stoves?"

"I only know about cats on hot roofs." He trots alongside Buck.

"I think it's Mark Twain... who said "If a cat sits on a hot stove, that cat won't sit on a hot stove again. That cat won't sit on a cold stove either. That cat just don't like stoves.” The lesson is, the cat has learned the wrong lesson. Assuming ALL stoves are bad, when only the hot onnes are, is a mistake."

Buck says "I think the DeBukes are kind of like that cat"

He laughs. "Cats don't even know how to bake."

A deep chuckle "Well, guess not"

"But they try to make biscuits anyway"

He laughs! "The owl and the pussy cat did visit the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker."

"Oh? Sounds like a story"

"It's a song! Or a story. Or maybe it was a book?" Cheerfully mixing things up.

"I think I'll have to ask around" A grin "But sounds excitig. Hey, are you kids all right?"

"Better'n alright, but I'm not sure about ol 'Tig. He's got the blues real bad."

"Oh that's a shame. Tig and I hit it off well. Why are his blues bluer , you know?"

"Because no man is an island?"

"True... we're herd animals, people, or maybe in your case a pack animal. We need eachh other"

"His island doesn't seem to like him anymore." A bit of a pout.

"huh" A pause "this Island live in the lodge?"

"Or is this island further out?" He looks curious

"Oh, no, this island is in Teaneck."

"Oh, the SPY place... ah well, they'll always have Paris. Would it help if I talked to Tig while I was here? I donn't know if you know this, but sometimes big grown ups like me don't listen to kids like we should" Cospiratorially

"No, but sometimes they talk, which is helpful too. You should be careful, though." A careful look around. "I heard that Tig is a scoundrel, so you'd better watch your back. It's not even Wednesday!"

"Han Solo was a scoundrel, he was okay"

"That's truuueeeeee." he says, perking up!

"Tada! The lodge. That's Sir Truck's franklyn over there. But he might be on paw troll."

"So it is. Thanks, Connor. You're a fantastic guide"

"Hup!" He salutes. "Dame Kerri will hang me by my toes if I don't offer you a snack?"

"Squire Brogan only poisons the scones on every other Tuesday. So today is safe."

"Whew. That's a relief" a sly sad look "You know the sweetest thing I ever put to my mouth?"

"Cake?? Pie?? CANDY?!"

"Honey and Clemintine oranges... I'll never forget the taste as long as I live"

"All the bees are sleeping right now. But there will be honey again." He nods.

"Oh yes, there will" he says "I'm gonna work for it. Buzz Buzz"

"Buzz Buzz, Soldier!" He salutes Buck, and trots back off to continue his patrol!

A hearty laugggh, and salute back, and into the lodge goes a big big centaur

"Sir Franklyn? Sir Vali?"

Bu it seems Vali at least, isn't in

A clank of armor as some enters from the side door - the side facing the stables and outbuildings.

"Hello?"

Hoofsteps