#rivervale_lodge

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Tig seems a bit distracted in his chores dazing out now and then

Kerri controls her grin as she clears her throat at him for the fourth time. "Ahem." A nod at the broom that stands idle in his hands.

"Oh.. uhm.. Sorry warden" A slim smile, he sweeps

He shakes his head as if trrying to clear it

"Drinking too much?" she teases with a straight face.

"Guess this IS kind of like a hang over" He tries to be light about it "though the buzz was good"

"Oh, that sounds like you had a very good Carnivale." That grin finally emerges as she folds clean dishcloths.

"It had a pleasant surprise ... " A wicked pleased with himself look, but then it grows wistful and dreamy "For two. It...went..well"

"For two? Now, that sounds like there's a story to tell....?"

"Well, therre was a costume mix up, and .. .. we both were a bit drunk, and... well... " he actually blushes then "Ah well, one night stand"

"Well, it sounds like it was a fun one. Ah, Carnivale hook-ups," she says with a grin. The Hearth may be a grump, but she ain't quite lost her groove yet. "Don't suppose you found out who it really was behind the mask?"

"Oh yeahh, it was Is..." He sttops what he was going to say then sighs "I best not name names. Might hurt her fee- " A shake of his head "I mean piss her off." As if it's better not to admit he CARES about her feelings

That smile is very carefully back under control. "Of course, of course, sorry I asked." She folds another dishtowel. "You're sure it was just a one-night stand?"

"Oh, pretty sure ... I mean, she's stuck up I'm full off myself. It would never work" Sweep sweep

"Pity."

She lets the silence grow as he sweeps....

And yet, Kerri knows he is drifting again "Yeah... pity"

either it was REALLY good sex, or it has moved a bit beyond that.

Finally, she says, "Because honestly, you seem in a better mood than I've seen you in a bit. Might be worth investigating if this could be something...more?"

"Could get my ass kicked" A consideration "not that has sttopped me before... oh well, at least she's not some titled noble. no worries about complicatios there" He is clearly unaware of who Isla's father is.

A silence from Kerri for just a hair too long. "Well...not all titled nobles are bad."

"O h definitely not," he smiles "Just sayin it might complicate things." he finishes up "there, all done. Unless there's somethingg else, I was gonna hit the town"

"Don't hit it too hard," she says, releasing him.

And dustpan emptied, he assures her "gentle touch" and walks off.. humming. He probably isn'tt aware it was the tune being played Carnival night

And as he heads out, she stands in thought, drumming her fingers on the kitchen counter.

(Fade to Hearth plotting)