#rivervale_lodge

"Mama?" The boy sits up "Papa?" Antoher test "Sissy?"

"CJ?" he rumbles "It's Uncle Frank."

"Unca Frank?" his troubled face turns to mere confusion "hi?"

"Hi." He edges into view "Mama asked me to come play with you. She had to do an errand and Papa's working and Sissy's not home yet. Is that ok?"

A brow knit, not entirely approving of this change of routine "Why?"

"Mama and Papa and Sissy sometimes do errands. Get groceries and things. And Papa works at the story with Buddy. Right?"

He thinks this over. This requires serious toddler contemplation. He's not sure he approves, even if it does make sense, but finally, CJ Nods "Okay. Mama come back?" BROW lift. As if to say she better

"Of course!" Frank's beard moves and he comes a little closer "Mama will come home and Papa will come home and Sissy will come home. Twobit, BrownDog, and Oden are already home."

He holds up his hands to be picked up

Frank rumbles and comes over, picking CJ up (with CJ's assistance of course.)

CJ hefts up and looks proud as he helps hiss uncle pick him up . He looks about, the gesture of a young guardian taking the high ground and surveying for danger, then he nods, satisfied, "Good good. Drink?" Whether he is asking for one, or offering one to a guest is hard to tell

"Sure. You like juice, or milk?"

"Juice" He says hopfully, then "Unca frank like juice? " A powerful string of FOUR words.

Frank shows he impressed by this! "I like juice. Let's have juice." and to the kitchen they go. Sippy cups for all!

"Yay Juice" CJ says!

And Frank.. frank as he gets the juice... might notice something, or someone

(Perception plus Alertness)

/roll 8

He notices someone in the corner, almost evading him. Small, a childling as well? But not a toddler ,no. She is holding still... he almost misssed.. Lily?

Frank cocks his head. CJ is popped into a handy booster seat and buckled in.... "Lily?" he whispers softly.

"drat." she sighs then "yes, sir frank?" As if she might always be found in another family's kitchen

"I'm sure you are welcome, but may I ask what you are doing here?" Polite in tone if, perhaps, a bit direct.

"well, I was spying, but it really ceases to be spying once you get caught. Then it turns into explaining, or perhaps running desperately."

"No need to run, although you may if you wish; I understand it is healthy to take exercise. I'm not sure what they have here to offer you... oh, tea?" He's found a kettle!

"oh, you are a most manerly interogator, sir" Approving "Thank you."

"Hi Lil lil" The boy waves

"hello, CJ" she responds kindly

Frank sets CJ up with juice first, then makes tea. Priorities in a 2 year-old's house.

Lily seems to understand.Toddlers ,even the best of them ,are tempermental tyrants

Soon all have the beverage of their choice. "Why, may I ask, were you spying on the family?"

He does not sound offended, just curious.

"I had gotten curious, sir. It is not like Mrs Tove to be upset by news from a stranger."

"You saw the stranger that brought her the news?"

She sips her tea "Yes. "

"I wonder if you would tell me of this stranger?"

"Well, sir, " She concentrates into her tea then says "You understand, though I am young, I honor my kith's own traditions?"

"As is right and correct." He agrees "I will tell you what I know of this matter, in exchange for what you know."

"I think I know more than you, sir" She points out, "Though you did give me tea." She ponders this "May I perchance have a future favor? One that doesn't intrude on your honor?"

He presses his lips together, frowning. "Of a mutually agreed-on nature, yes. Like for like."

"Thank you. Miss Zara and Symon would despair if I were too quick to spill the tea, as it were" She sips "I don't know who the person who talked to her was, but it was an Eshu. Who bore news of Thyle."

"Ah." he nods.

"Thyle is.. a troll land?"

"It is in the Dreaming."

"I see. " She ponders "Does it mean something that a Thyle woman was found in Atlantic City?"

"It might indeed." soberly "Thyle is... insular."

"Or, was, from what I can remember."

"She doesn't seem fond of it"

"I could describe the eshu, but I did not catch the name" She adds "But the person she is going after meant something to Mrs Tove, and there was distress"

"It is a long history, and hers to tell." kindly.