#rivervale_lodge

Frank and Brekke speak quietly for a while, and then part, each to their own task. For her part, Brekke goes to Vali and Tiffany's home. Hopefully the Mountain has gotten some sleep.

(To Elsewhere)

Brekke returns to the Lodge, awaiting a visit from Symon.

Symon arrives shortly after they arrive, with a box under one arm.

Assuming he arrives in a manner that is obvious enough for Brekke to notice...?

Sure, front door.

"Symon. Welcome, and thank you for coming." She looks troubled.

He readjusts the box on his hip, and it clinks with glassware. "Yeah, sure. Hey, do you have somewhere I can put this? Somewhere safe, where the kids can't get into it. Locked."

Her brow furrows. "I believe so, yes. But I would like to know what it is."

His brow goes up. "Formaldehyde, methanol, glutaraldehyde, denaturing chemicals, humectants, anti-edemics, disinfectants. Quite poisonous."

She nods. "Yes. There is a secure place on the Kestrel. I will keep it there."

"I'll pack them better so they won't slosh. Can't have that nosy little..." He sighs, and changes his tone, "Poor waifling accidentally cleaning the wrong room, can we."

A blink. "Of course."

"Now...I must speak with you about recent events."

"Yeah. I hear Lilly might be in danger." He withholds his opinion on why.

A furrowed brow. "I did not get that impression. But I wish you to contact her to give her information. What makes you think she may be in danger?"

Then Symon can almost see the lightbulb flicker on over Brekke's head as she puts some comments together. "Hmm."

"Vali said as much. He didn't tell you that?"

"He...did not. Not in so many words. But...I see more of his meaning, now."

"Do you know more beyond that? More of what is happening? Because if not, I must tell you, so you may tell Lily."

"No." Curt. "I know that it involves Adam, somehow. That his... his chimera has somehow returned, and is now in mortal form. Frankly, I don't see how this involves the Thomases' at all, but I'm not Mountain. If he says there is danger, then I'm concerned. She's mine to look after. By kith and claim."

Brekke listens, and nods slowly. "Then here is what you must know yet; Nabuni, or Bunni, does not remember who she is, but she is not all that has returned. There are tokens, trinkets, that come to her every few days." She goes to a shelf and brings over the collection -- the carving of Rivervale, the painting of Siv on her ship, the postcard of EarthRunes, the locket with the cameo of the granddame. "But first, apparently, came this," she says, gesturing to the grandfather clock.

"We have whispered it. The clock made reference to The Last Unicorn. And it says that Nabuni was sent here to protect her from something."

"I do not know what this means, regarding Adam, but it clearly has something to do with him. My thought was to go to the Thomases to alert them to this, but he points out that Adam's parents may, in fact, complicate matters. They may insist on charging into some impulsive rescue, and put themselves in danger. This is why I am hoping you can speak to Lily."

"Why Siv?" He looks at the painting. "Earthrunes, I can see, and Rivervale's lodge, and his relations. Did he have any... special tie to Siv?"

"She was the first fae he met and recognized as fae."

"Hm." He nods slowly. "His Chimera seems pretty damn far from a Unicorn, I have to say. Not sure I get that connection."

"I am not sure I understand either, except that the clock seems to be the portal through which Bunni came. In the book, there is also a clock that is a portal."

"Has anyone tried to go through?"

A heavy sigh. "It is my wish that, if you tell Lily, she can keep it a secret for as long as possible, but she can also confirm that we did try to reach out to part of the family."

"Portal Passage. See what's on the other side."

"No, not yet."

She gives the clock a speculative look.

"Lily can keep a secret. But she won't be content. She loves Adam, for all that-" Symon sighs. "She loves him. He's her brother. She might try something foolish to rescue him."

A frown. "You think she would?"

"Maybe." He allows. "Or she might see it as a challenge to discover the rest of the secret. I could probably spin it by telling her she needs to look after her parents, but it might be a hard sell. She's not stupid." A touch of pride, there.

She groans slightly. "You are right." She shakes her head with frustration.

He frowns as well, thoughtfully.

"Then...then I will ask you to use the information as you see best. Tell her when you think the risk to her is least. I trust your judgment in this. You, also, are not stupid."

"I'll talk to her. But if you want me to do so, we'll tell her everything. No keeping her in the dark. Knowing that she is not being withheld intel and that we are trying to help her family, may be a far better leash than any attempts at secrecy."

A nod. "Agreed. I believe you know where to find her better than I do."

"I might be able to find her." He allows.

She nods again. "Please do what you can. And I will secure these items," she indicates the box.

"Appreciated. Maybe don't look in the box. Not if you plan on eating supper. I have some leftovers from a project for Dark Gate in there."

"Ah. Noted." A nod. He gets the definite impression that her trollish nature will not drive her to be too curious about the contents.

"If you can tell me how Lily actually responds, I would appreciate it. But I understand if that is not possible."

"Is that all?" He asks, then, "Sorry. Is there anything else I can help with?"

Rephrasing a little less brusquely.

"No. Not right now. I must think."

And so, the Chief slips out to put those things away, and Symon must track down a little girl he cares a great deal for.