#rivervale_lodge

"thank you." Vali says

Frank seems to approve of her meal.

Siv eats and savors "Fine. I do feel the Narwhal is a bit less useful for the hold now. Seems like we're getting trods everywhere"

"Hardly everywhere" Vali says

"Plenty of water out there, Siv."

"yeah, but we can step thrrouh a doorr tto visit Fenix. And a trod to the farm, and Firnost which goes lotts of places.."

Frank nods. Some of these travel options have been available BS; Before Siv.

"Siv, Firnost was aroud before any of us. Also your ship is safer for fledges. Stop looking for a problem in a victory. "

Siv gives a sour look "Family trait"

"I know" Vali says

Frank clears his throat in a rumble.

"yes, da?" Siv asks

"Eat your chowder."

A slight smile, "Love you too, Da" And she eats

"Seconds?"

"no.. where's Kerri?"

"Resting, I think. Finally."

"I'll check" Vali rises

There's something to be said for timing. A door opens down the hall past the laundry room, and out stumbles a rumpled, rough-looking Hearth, in bathrobe and slippers, her hair tied back but barely brushed. She makes haste for the kitchen, but pulls up short on seeing the three of them there. She blinks rather stupidly.

Frank approaches. "It's ok. Everyone is fed, and well."

"Vali, will you please tell the Hearth what you have told me?"

She goes from full-alert to...relieved slouch. A nod, then a groaned "Coffee, please?"

Siv gets her some right away

In much the way that there's a Malibu Barbie and a Glee Club Skipper...this seems to be Hangover Kerri. She accepts the coffee gratefully.

Vali explains "New trod open from this barony to Silverwolf barony, firebrands for apples are safe and most on their way to carry their goods to the holds of the land, with Rover Escort. Olgar is fine and dandy. White Witch defeated, eternal winter delayed . yay"

She takes a seat on a stool and sips while she focuses on Vali's report.

A nod. "He texted me. So did she. Good about the firebrands."

A look to Siv. "Did you know she was going into all that?"

"If I did, I wouldn't have slept here" Siv says "i'm retroactively teriffied"

"Mmph." She takes another drink of coffee, then tries to put her hair into a more reasonable arrangement. A deep breath. "There are fresh healing cookies in the jar, if anybody is looking for them. I should get started with bread."

She doesn't seem particularly motivated to get started, though.

"If you like...." Frank offers ".... I can get started. Give you a minute."

A blink at Frank. "You," she repeats as if to check her understanding.

"Let me help you" siv says "I'm no baker, bu I'm a good pair of hands and since Mountain Vali wants me to stay rather than check on tthe lass I love... "

Frank nods.

"I'm the bad guy" Vali observes

"I've watched you. I can get ingredients out. Equipment. Get things ready. Maybe measure."

She looks blankly between Frank and Siv for a moment, then gives a gesture of confused surrender. "If nothing else, I'm intrigued about what might come of this. If you're both offering, then yes, I accept. Thank you."

She takes another sip of coffee and then...it clicks. "Wait, why do you need to check on Piper?"

Frank nods and goes to the kitchen.

"Because Sylvi dragged my girlfriend along... either that or piper volunteered and insisted. If the first, I'm furious at Sylvi, if the second, I'm so proud of my bae" dead pan, then she adds "I'm a Fiona, you want fairness, call a gwyd"

"Sylvi and Piper were in there?" A pause. "Piper went out in the snow?"

"I know right?" Siv throws up her hands "She hates winter. Last thing I expected. I'm thinking she's all wrapped up, but no, she's playing Mr. tumness in pre aslan Narnia"

As she complains, she goes to the kitchen, keeping the door open so they can talk and helps her dad

"I got this part Siv. If you want." Frank volunteers from the kitchen.

((Really thought they were all in the kitchen. Figure Kerri joins them in the kitchen to converse and covertly supervise.))

(Okay, tha works)

"Nah da. I want to stay busy while we talk"

"Vali, do we know when our Firebrand will be arriving?"

"today. I have no doubt" he says "Question is, will Olgar and Sylvi come with the firebrand? " amused "I wouldn't want to face an angry Hearth"