#rivervale_lodge

"Good. From what i Hear mom was a bit stunned too whe nshe first came in. If you see anyone you really like, let mom know. I will say Happy may smile too much but he's really got strong kenning."

He nods. "Have you heard from your mother recently?"

"Only that she'd be rather busy this week, possibly at the Count's again"

He nods with a certain amount of stoic resignation.

"Sorry Da. " SHe frowns "Mom's been yanked there a lot recently. Makes me wonder if something big is going down with the County"

"She'll let us know."

"Mmmph. I suppose it would be wrong to pry about and learn on my own?"

"I wouldn't suggest it. Your mother can handle her business with the Count."

"I know I know" She sighs "I'm such a hypocrite. I like you and mom where I can find you, but I also want to be free to zoom off for a week on some adventure" Sheepish

Frank nods, finishing his sandwich "All things in their season."

"Aye. " She nods "And mother is the Count's most reliable vassal as well as an old friend to her"

"Still, I feel sorry for her, all politics , no adventure"

"Having you is adventure enough, Siv."

"THanks" A brow "Is that a compliment?"

"I didn't mean it as an insult."

"mm " fond smile "merely an observation eh? well, glad i give ou and mom some activity. Keep you healthy longer to have you stimulated"

"Same reason I do crossword puzzles and listen to books on tape." he observes.

"I enjoy a good spicey audio book meself" she says

"Mm." She knows perfectly well none of his are 'spicy.'

Mmm , she dimples ("Yes, da, I know")

"Well." he brushes his hands off and turns to rinse his plate "I guess I'll report for patrol or whatever needs doing."

"All right. " Siv says "I think I'll hit the apartment and take my shower there"

"Safe travels."

"Oh I'll be back. I'll have a patrol shift as well. Mountain is teaming us up with the new comers"

"Sounds smart; I'll go see what he has for me."

And he does.

The Mountain looks up from his cup off coffee. He looks a bit tired, long hours are catching up on him.

"Oh, hi, Frank. Got yourself a meal?"

He nods. "Enough. Sandwich. What can I do to help?"

"Well, I was going to tell you to get some sleep, but if you want a patrol now instead we can do that"

"A walk would do me good after all that driving. Help me sleep better when I do."

"Well, then," He says "I guess you're patrolling with Happy" he nods

"Is that... a nickname of some sort?" Frank asks curiously.

"Yeah, I THINK his real name is harold But you'll see why they call him Happy when you meet him"

Happy does show up. Tall, blonde, with an almost untrollish grin on his face. Sure, Siv smiles, but hers are a flash of a grin with wolf like teeth. Happy seems to just keep on smiling "Mountain? You needed me to patrol?"

"Happy, this is Sir Franklyn. YOu and he will be patrolling together. Sir Franklyn has more exerience at things than both of us put gether, so listen to him. Frank, Happy may have the most trained Kenning abilities I've ever seen"

Frank offers his hand in greeting. "Hello."

Happy shakes it, pumping the arm enthusiasically "Great to meet you, Sir"

"Mm."

"Frank your call, you want to take the wilderness patrol with Happy or the more suburban one?" Vali says "I can use either"

"Happy, you have a preferrence? Don't know where you've been already."

"Been both, Sir. Forest is Great. The People in the Suburbs are nice" he chimes like a Never in a lower octave

"Been around concrete for a little while, then, Mountain. How about we take a forest walk?"

"Like I said, your call" Vali nods

"Great" Happy says and grabs a huge sword with an inscription on it.

"Oak, you want to come?"

Oak springs up to join them

Frank check in with Signe, just a glance.

She stays by the door, watching.

"Ok, girl." Frank accepts her preferrence "Good girl." and he leads the others out.