#rivervale_lodge

Gerd returns looking for the Chief

Brekke is sitting on the porch, a coffee near at hand, making notes on a wax tablet with a stylus.

"CHief? I talked to the Steward Marigold " She announces

"Ah?" Brekke looks up and sets down the tablet. "Was it a good conversation?"

"Actually, good, and very flattering. She... she wanted me specifically. She may need another, but it did make me feel good how much she wanted it for me, and yes, for Connor. She will do her own search for an apprentice but I think I'll still keep an eye out"

Brekke's brow furrows, and she looks troubled for a moment. Then the troubled expression gets put away, and she nods. "I am glad she recognizes your competence and potential. Now...I would like you to begin your work as Emissary within the week."

"Thank you. " She says "I was hoping to. Any particular locale first?"

"Yes. Baroness Truthbranch at Brightwinds. Sylvi visited there when they were newly established, but we have not had much contact recently. I think it would be wise to strengthen existing bonds."

"That's a far piece but I've been there before and revsisit " She says "I'm sure she'll let me stay at least three days"

"Good." A nod. "It will be good to know how things stand currently there."

"Quiet last I heard, " then she remembers "I'll have to watch my stuff. they've got this little piskie girl. If you wear something purple she'll 'borrow' it"

"Piskies do make life a bit more challenging," Brekke agrees.

"JImmy steal steals our coasters" A beat "he returns them, but he's the reason we got extra ones to cycle in"

"Ah! I had wondered." She nods, quietly thinking to herself: Jimmy? Oh, yes...Jimmy.

"I think he's going to Rutgers ' she says "Oh but back to the mission. Are we hoping for any thing besides good will?"

"At the moment, good will and information. If you can be of use to them in any way while there, provide what service you may in good conscience. Ah, and learn more about how the populace perceives the work of the Rovers near there. Perhaps you could even encourage others to join the Rovers' work."

"Olgar would like that" A pause "Or maybe he wouldn't. He says new members are some boneheaded recruits... but I think he likes tormenting wilder rookies just a bit. Like an old dog chuckling at a puppy falling in a puddle"

At this, the dogs in the room perk up

A hint of a grin. "I think you understand him well."

"A rover recruiting option" she makes a mental note, but smiles a bit at the mention she understands "Ah, any recrutiing for us? Rivervale I mean? "

"Hmm..." Brekke considers, looking around at the property briefly, then back to Gerd. "Tell me...where do you perceive a need in Rivervale? If we were to recruit, what would be your priority?"

"Right now, I confess, I want to find someone to help marigold , but she's asked me not to and that should not be my priority though we might finese it" She looks about "More trolls. I like Alisa, I like a lot of the non trolls, but this is a lodge, and we sometimes need an infusion of those kithain who want to learn about our culture and share it"

An interested expression, and a nod. "I agree. If they are...." She stops mid thought.

"Are?"

"Hm. I had been about to say something about them being the right sort of Troll. But that is an old way of thinking. Once I would have said that Olgar was not right for Rivervale. That was wrong."

"Still...please avoid Balor and Leanhaun, mm?"

She shudders "Like the plague they are"

Brekke nods approval. "I will have an Emissary sash for you before you go."

"Thank you" She says "And, it's not just you. Or 'old'. Leanhaun is impracti cal as it could cause us to LOSe Allies with Darkgate, and Balor is intolerable to many others here. Ailil are at least tolerated and even that's been a major shift in my thinking and idon't mean Vegard"

She nods at the first two. Then sighs as Gerd mentions Ailil. "Yes. It troubles me, though. I keep expecting there will be some difficulty greater than what we have already had."

"However, Connor and his father are reconciled in what seems a healthy way. That is good."

"I don't suggest ANY Ailil get a pass, they should have one more hurdle or two than a seelie house. Unfair to them, perhaps, but it's what Dirk would call real politike. " A beat "Can I ask you what kind of trolls you would see as ideal for the area?"

"Hm. Those who will work, not merely seek glory," she says first off, then considers some more.

A nod, and she seems to be writing it down

Then a thought. "If you encounter any who are interested in social work, somebody to support AnneMarie's endeavors would probably be of great help."

She writes that too "That's nice of you, Chief. I think poor Jonas wishes there were two of him"

A blush at something but she moves on

A nod. "AnneMarie could use a small army to help her." If she notices the blush, she doesn't comment.

"What about Storm duties? Are we up to par for patrols in your opinion?"

"I was just thinking of that," she says with a nod. "Some will be going off to college. They will not be away permanently, and I do not want to give the impression that they are being replaced. But...if one expresses an interest, I leave it to your discretion."

"Now, here, look...." she passes the wax tablet over, indicating the diagram on it. "I have decided we will add a room for recreation. The television will be there."

"Got it" then she looks at the tablet "Hey, this is.. pretty good. Might make mroe room for the dogs if you added kennels here..."

"Do you think they would wish kennels? Now they sleep where they wish."

"A good point but a place for puppies if we ever have them here... maybe " She says "But puttting that to the side, I think an official poker table for the hearth and her crew..."

(Fade to plans)