#rivervale_lodge

"When did you decide it was... okay to let yourself be..pursued romantically, even though you were a chieftain? I mean, when and ....how did you decide you could have romance while still being Chief?" the bigg man inquires "And if that's too personal, my apologies"

Frank holds very still.

The Chieftain's eyes go QUITE wide.

A long speechless moment.

Finally, she clears her throat. "I do not understand why you need to ask this."

"I.. well, I..." A pause "Gwydions can tell when you lie I hear. Okay. This isnn't idle inquiry, and is important to me even though it's not so much about you, but about the Chief position" True

Judging by her expression, this doesn't seem to be a very satisfactory answer.

After a moment, she clears her throat. "As you are not a Chieftain, I do not think I am ready to discuss such details of the role."

Frank clears his throat, and shifts to stand.

And stand, he does.

"Ah.. well.. darn it. My apologies then. I just.. trying to figure something out."

Brekke moves her hand so Frank can stand.

All nine-foot-plus of him.

A light touch on Frank's arm.

A slight shift, shoulders lowering.

Buck sees Frank stand "Ah shit. Frank. I .. sorry to both of you. Really. I didn't mean to bee an ass... and it wasnn't some cruel joke"

The big mann looks..miserable for some reason

"No, I know it was not," Brekke assures him. "But...I am not comfortable answering."

"Then don't. " He states "I should have trusted my instinct and realized it was ..a bit much. I'm a simple man, bit Earthy at times, but that's no excuse to offend inn someone else's house. "

Frank goes to pour himself a glass of cider.

"You have surprised, not offended."

"Well, that's a relief, but I think Frank might be offended on your behalf, " Buck walks to Frank and offers his hand "Formal apology? "

Frank looks at the hand, looks Buck in the eye..... and shakes. "Accepted."

Brekke watches and nods slightly.

"Thanks, Frank. " the grip is warm and earnest as they shake "You two prefer if I get a motel tonight? I would understand"

Frank releases his hand, and sips his cider.

"No, of course not," Brekke says. "Where would you be most comfortable? There is a room upstairs, or you could stay here in the main hall." She's uncertain about centaurs and stairs.

"Oh either is fine" He says "Longg as I have a way out.. I sleep like a baby... "

"Mm." Brekke nods and finishes her coffee before standing. "Then have it as you choose. Buck, please excuse Frank and myself." A look to Frank as she returns to the front door.

"Ah, right" He trots away to give them space

He sets down his glass with a nod to Buck, and follows Brekke. In fact, he'll get her cloak for her if he can, then his own jacket.

She lets him get her cloak for her, and then the two head outside into the night.

"Way to go, Buck. " He winces, "Sure, I don't mind a scuffle, but Frank would have been RIGHT to give me a fat lip. Way too perrsonal"

Dagmar is rattling around the kitchen - snacks! Bread and cheese and pickles!

"Damn it. I find the perfect woman and..."

he catches himself, and looks UP at the rafters "Symon?"

Kerri is finishing up with some laundry down the hall, and she grins to see Dagmar. "Evening snack?"

"We have a guest!"

"Oh, yes? I'll help you bring that out."

"Yeah? Thanks! It's Buck, remember him?"

"Oh, of course! Lovely." She picks up one of the platters and leads the way back into the main room.

Buck is looking up at the rafter, Squinting

Kerri pauses and follows his gaze up to the rafters. "Something up there?"

"..Where'd Chief go?"

"She and tthe Mountain went out. THINK on patrol. Afraid I need to learn some damned tact" He admits

"And guess not. Good to see you again, Kerri" He nods

"Well, enough food for an army."

"Tact? How so?" She sets down the platter in a spot where everybody can reach.

"And good to see you, as well, Buck."

"We'll make a good dent in it," she assures Dagmar with a wink, picking up a pickle and biting into it with a crunch.