#rivervale_lodge

"Thank you, Mountain," Brekke replies.

Signe curls up near where The Chief sits. Looking ready for a nap

(Kitchen) Kerri is putting loaves of bread into the oven.

Brekke reaches down and scritches Signe between the ears. "Take a nap, Signe."

Signe enjoys the rumple and soon is oozing across the cool floor boards

A call comes back from Piper, in response to the text!

(KItchen) "Hearth I'm told to ask if you need to any assistance"

"Vali, hi! What's up, is something wrong?" A hand covers the microphone, and he can hear giggling, "Staaaaaaahhhp!" Is hissed in a playful tone.

"WHat I wwas going to ask you. Siv needs to report aned assure us all is well"

"Siv is here with me, there was this whole thing with a dragon and- " A SWATTING NOISE. "I swear, you..."

(Kitchen) Kerri closes the oven, turns to look at him, pauses for a second, and nods. "Perfect timing. I have a mission for you." And in short order, Diljas is armed with shopping list and carefully budgeted petty cash. "I'll need you back in 30 minutes. Off you go!"

"Vali, she's fine, honest - " Laughter - "We'll be home soon, just have to fix the boat!" A squeal as she is pinched, and "Gotta go!" Click.

And so, Vali explains he just got told Siv is fine.... and that there is a repair to the boat. DJilas hurries off to get eggs... whether he wanted to or not... and Chief and pooch take a moment to rest near the fite even the disorder of changes

(End Scene0

Groceries brought in dutifully

"Good," Kerri says, and holds her hand out for the change.

Diljis pays her all the change promptly "There was a sale on those toilet paper rolls"

She looks at the selection he made. "Mm. Those are all right. Just be careful never to get the store brand. Single-ply, and scratchy. Olgar still grumbles about those sometimes, and I haven't bought them in a decade. Here, let me show you where things get put away." And Diljis gets a primer on the Rivervale kitchen and pantry.

He does as she directsHe does admire her in what he thinks is discretly by looking at reflective services but its' only one

once

He puts it away

"Hearth, Lucia tells me she's a friend of Sylvi, your daughter? They really close?"

"Fairly close, yes, I think. Why do you ask?"

"SHe's cute... Lucia I mean.. and friendly"

Kerri had already sized him up before she sent him on the shopping mission...and if he thinks his furtive look was discrete, he's mistaken. "She is cute, and friendly," she agrees, "and NOT to be toyed with." A pointed look. "If you wish to date her, do it honestly and honorably."

"Yes Ma'am" He says looking a bit busted "Sorry, just obviously she's very different from most girls back home"

"Most notably in that she is not related to you?"

"Well, yes. that's HUGE" He can't quite fight a smile "I mean, we're from Iowa, not Kentucky"

"Mm. Well, you'll likely discover that there are a lot of people here who are very different from the people you already know. And playing the field is fine. But if you give any one of them the impression that you're interested in a long-term commitment when that isn't the case, just keep in mind...I usually hear about all of the local heartbreaks, eventually. Deal honestly with them, and I won't have cause to get irritated. Understood?"

"I Sense a lack of trust" A pause "What did Eulalie tell you?"

"About you? Not a word."

"What are you concerned she might have told me?"

I"m almost sure there's a 5th Amendment in the Escheat"

"Not in my kitchen, there isn't."

"yes hearth. I just.. she seems to think I'm going to go chasing after every girl i meet out here"

"Does she have a prior claim to your affections?"

"Ugh, SHE IS a cousin"

She gives him a look. "It's not unheard of. But okay, then...why does she care whom you chase? Has she seen unpleasant fallout from previous chases?"

"I might have dated her best friend" He hems "Look, im not out to break hearts, really"

"Might have?"

Djalis sighs "I did. But pretending I still felt for her would have been dishonorable"

"True. Did you start a new relationship before breaking it off with her?"

"Nope. But try telling Eulalie that"

She nods. "Okay. So...I'm not concerned about a reputation based on suspicions but no evidence. What I am concerned is how you treat people here. If you need guidance on what to do in that regard, ask." A grin. "You wouldn't be the first to do so."

"Is this the carrot to go with the stick?" He asks cautiously "Hearth Agnes used to do that too.. though she was a lot of stick"

"I don't see any need for either carrot or stick, yet. I just want you to be aware that I do keep both handy." She winks at that.

He smiles , a good smile "Well, you had me a bit spooked. But I understand. I mean, I am still a troll, something stead would be nice just..." A sigh "With me on the farm that IS harder to find"

"Understood. Just...pace yourself, and treat people right. Now, please take this tray of pastries out to the main room. People usually come in looking for a bit of a snack right about now."

"Yes, Hearth" he ddoes so, and yes, maybe has one for himself

Unseelie bent that one