#rivervale_lodge

Brekke pauses in patrol, near the area where Frank and Jonas harvested the fallen black walnut. She contemplates the stump, then murmurs, "New life will come of you, one way or another, as always happens. Thank you for the gift of yourself you provided." She bends to rest an item on the stump...a carving of a bear pacing along on its four paws. The oiled wood gleams in the beams of winter sunlight.

It is small, well, small for her...no larger than her palm. A minor token of mindfulness.

She turns away and continues her patrol.

She finds the bear tracks right away, a bear has been near the stump

She crouches down to get a better look. Her training means she should be able to discern what kind of bear it is.

Black bear,she suspects. yes. She's sure of it

Not uncommon. Best to track it a bit. If it's staying to the woods, all is well. If it's starting to rustle through mortals' garbage cans, it could bring trouble on itself.

She tracks it. Mmm i does go into the woods and.. the tracks shift.

becoming boot prints of a human

She frowns, and backs up to find the moment of transition, just to be sure she didn't make a mistake. She looks at the weirdly-turned tracks a long moment...then casts a look around, wondering if she is being watched.

She made no mistake. She casts a look about and sees no one watching her but she does hear a sound in a clearing

A song, in a language she doesn't know

She listens a moment. Should turn back -- they value their privacy, she thinks to herself, hesitating.

Then she hears, is that metal, like a spade, hitting cold ground?

A frown. Yes, she's curious now, and goes to get a closer look.

The clearing is just that, a clear space otherwise surrounded my trees. A woman is hunched over, digging with a spade. She sings sofly as she works

Brekke stops at the edge of the clearing, still within the treeline, and watches quietly. She will not interrupt a song that sounds like a cantrip working.

a small spade, a garden spade

and she takes out what looks like.. a walnut or acorn and drops it in, then covers the dark cold soil back over "Gaia, restore balance. You gave to us, I give to you. "

Brekke waits until she seems to be finished before clearing her throat, loud enough to be heard.

It is well she waits, for while not a cantrip... she feels power from the woman, a power not unlike spring cantrips.

Then, when Brekke clears her throat, the woman rises, for a moment on guard, then? then she smiles "Pardon. Just a bit of future put here. I hope you don't mind?"

She shakes her head, taking a single step forward. "I do not mind. I left a gift for the past back at the stump." She considers the clearing. "It is a good spot."

"I thought so too" Pleased, she looks about "Someone has done well. All around, New Jersey is dirty streets, concrete blocks, smoking factories, and then, here, a green oasis of forests and villages. And if the people know to gift the past while hoping for future... well, I now see why"

Brekke looks quietly pleased. "We do what we are able. How should I call you?"

"Please, call me Norah" She nods "I've got other names but that one draws less fuss. And how should I call you?"

"Brekke." She considers. "One of our boys has mentioned a lady bear. Perhaps this was you?"

"I... " A pause "Well, this is awkward." A blush, then she smooths her outfit "Let's say we ae both more than we appear I suspect. It's nice to meet you, Brekke? Let's walk for a bit in the quiet? I did not expect your kind, but it explains much. And you should have a chance to know me, and to judge me for yourself. I promise I mean no harm to you or the land" true

"There is no need to be hidden, I think. I know of the caern, and they know of me and mine. You are one of them?"

A deep laugh "Ah, no, no. I am a distant cousin at best. I fear Bears and Wolves have not always had a good history, but..well, why not tell you of it. And I am sure the Caern has ggood folk... I don't blame them for tthe crimes of their ancesors " and she walks and explains, while Brekke shows her wood

(end Scene)