#rivervale_lodge

"Welcome, Frank" Sally Mae says handing Frank a cider as he comes in from a long trip

"Thank you, Sally Mae." he puts his duffle bag down and accepts the glass "Nice of you. How's everything here?" he calls every night, but nevertheless he asks every return home.

"Quiet at the lodge. I'm making up for my time while I recovered but while some things are happening patrol wise, here there's not so much to do besides the usual. Your wife is in Fenix, might be back soon. Siv is at work at the marina right now. Dirk stomps between here and Goldfinch. Olgar's on the trods, Kerri is on a big shopping trip. Lut is on patrol."

"Trouble in Fenix?" He keys in on that.

"Not that Siv knows. She's the one who told me."

"Apparently her mother told her all was fine"

"Mm." He is not completely satisfied, but not disgruntled at Sally Mae. "Thnak you." He sips "Good cider. I'll go unpack."

"Need help?" She offers "I've carried heavier on the farm"

"Erm... no, thank you." He lifts the duffle bag easily. "It's laundry and such." And he heads upstairs.

"Yes, sir" She nods "I'll make you a small meal"

Frank accepts this offer silently and goes up to unpack. Back down in short order.

When he comes down a hearty sandwich with Frank's favorite fixings

"Thank you, Sally Mae." He sits and eats. "Do you know what the patrol rota is?"

"I think Lut is in the woods, Dirk is on the streets. Olgar trods, of course." She says and looks about then finds it "here's a copy of the schedule, such as it is. Vali is teaching"

"Mm. Thank you." he takes it and looks it over for opportunities.

With dirk going from Goldfinch and back again, that does leave a whole section of neighborhoods he might avoid

He notes this, and looks for places he might do some good.

Mm suburbian rural area maybe a local loop

Frank checks the time, considers; with Brekke in Renaissance.... and he is still not completely settled with that.... perhaps something closer to home. The local loop, then.

He finishes his meal and drink, and gethers his things "Any thing you need me to do while you patrol?" Sally Mae says

"Mm? No. I don't think so. Sally Mae, you've been here longer, and more recently, than I. You'd know better than I what needs to be done."

"Well, I've been out of it while recovering for that curse so I've mostly been holed up. Only came back to work in the last week but, fair enough. Safe patrol"

"I heard about that." he rumbles darkly "I have thoughts but... " a deep breath "I'm glad you're feeling better, Sally Mae." sincerely.

"oh I'm feeling better than that, sir" Her eyes smile "I know who did it. One isn't supposed to take revenge on someone for Carnival events, but it did persist AFTER Carnival... I put my finances to use for a little payback"

"Mm." he rumbles.

"Let's just say I own his house, and all debts due. When he didn't pay up immediately I crashed his credit rating. And brought up a civil suit. He'll apologize to me , in public ,and swear and oath never to treat a kinian as lesser again, and I'll drop the same."

Frank's beard moves. " I see. Well done."

"Thank you, DeBukes can be onery" She admits "But I also figure it will protect other kinain in the long run." She dimples "Carowyn wanted to just punch him out, but my way is more satisfying"

Frank nods, gears up, and goes on patrol.

He sees three childlings he doens't recognize, they seem too busy talking to recognize him. "I'm just saying" One girl says "There are wilders aplenty, but with others growing up, it's us new childlings waiting for adventureeeee"

"Adventure sounds scary" her friend says "Sides, they got Connor and Lane and Jack Flap... "

"And TWO Sidhe..." A nod

this from a third

"Well," the first one huffs "They're nice, but except for Connor, they're Not Particularly Crucial. We got a chance to be. Just.. when we walk by this spot , look extra appealing and make BIG eyes towards the lodge. Summon your cuteness"

"I'm TRYING " Her friend's eyes strain to be large

"I feel like a bad oil painting" the last one says doing the same

Sally Mae peeks out a window and sees three kids with LARGE watery eyes. "Pollen's powerful cruel this time of year" And goes back to work

Frank pauses at the start of his patrol, and looks at the childlings. "Hello."

"Hello, sir" The first one says

"Are you having a good patrol?" the second says

"Every consider a sidekick of diminutive size?" the third throws in

"Pppsst " the first and second say to the third, whispering (Though frank might hear) "subtle. they like subtle"

"Hello." to the first "I am." to the second "No." to the third.

((pause))