#rivervale_lodge

Brekke takes a sip of coffee and considers the balefire flames for a moment before looking to Clem again. "I know the three are considering life away from the Farm for the long-term. I know what I think the best fit for this Lodge would be...but I would like to know which of them you think would benefit most from being here?"

"Well, any of them and all of them would benefit" Clem says "Do not misunderstand, Storm Murry picked them, but he did not pick them randomly. Each has something to gain from stretching out beyond, and from Rivervale in particular. Not to give you a swelled head, but your Lodge has been a positive influence on us even as an ally. Here, troll traditions are still honored, but you're not so isolationist. We hope if you ask one to stay a bit that one eventually comes back, but we understand a gamble when we make one. After all, 'worse' that happens if they end up loving the area and settle in among decent folk. "

Brekke nods and grins slightly. "As much as the Lodge has brought to the Farm, so has the Farm brought to the Lodge, in the form of alliance and supplies and instruction for our childlings." A sip of coffee.

"I believe that Ives would fit most smoothly here. He has the temperament. But I am biased towards a certain type of personality, I think." A pause. "Eulalie seeks glory...I think she may do well with training for the Rovers, if she is given the opportunity."

"The Rovers?" Clem ponders "And they've had some unfortunate losses on top of it." Clearly she had not considered this. "THat might do her just fine. Embarrassed I did not consider it"

A nod. "It is not something that she can be assigned to against her will, but I suggest speaking to Rover Olgar."

"I will, and I think Eulalie will like the idea. She wants to prove herself and the Rovers are a tested group that does that. Thank you. " She nods "Now, as for Ives, I thought you might like him. He's a quiet confident sort. He enjoys hunting now and then but is never cruel about it when he does. I worry that might clash with sweet tempered Dagmar but he can do that out of Barony, likely would have to anyway. "

"Fair. Hunting is necessary, sometimes, be it for meat or chimera. Dagmar knows this."

"I think she'd adopt a warthog if she could" A shake of her head, but a fond one "Well, if that won't be a problem, invite Ives to stay. He'd say yes. Djilas well, he's a good fellow but I do fear he's a bit girl crazy... by troll standards"

"Now...Djalis." She lets out a slow breath. "I have mixed thoughts about him."

"Please, go on" She asks

"I...do not like his behavior with the young women. But it is not something that rises to the level of dishonorable behavior. Merely...distasteful. For me. And that is not a good enough reason to be biased against him.'

A nod, she does not take offense, "Did he have any good points in your view? He has some Mountain training, skilled at Cantrips. Not sure he put it to use"

"I do not think I had enough time with him to observe that. Perhaps Mountain Vali?"

"I'll ask Mountain Vali," A nod "And don't worry, I respect your preference for Ives. I just think insight into Djilas from a non DeBuke look might help me find a place for him he'll be happy to explore. Now, I do have to tell you, Ives has a touch of ...well, claustrophobia"

"I wish I could say more about Djilas, but I cannot. I think he also spent more time with the wilders, so perhaps Sylvi or somebody at Goldfinch could say more." A sip. "Tell me more about Ives's problem."

"Tight spaces, packed crowds. It's a phobia. Makes a young man who is normally one of our cool headed have a bit of a panic attack. IF it goes on too long, he gets the shakes. I don't tell you this lightly. He's powerful embarrassed by it."

She nods somberly. "Do you know the source of this phobia, how it latched on to him?"

"Before his dream dance near as we can figure. His folks took him out camping. Loved the wilds. Still does. Now he was young, and a bit stupid, and some other boy at the camp site talked him into checking out a cave what was supposed to be off limits. This other boy let Ives take the lead, then when ives got to one tunnel that was too tight... this new 'friend' of his pushed as a 'joke' and Ives found the tunnel went down on a slope.. and down he went, even as it narrowed. Essentially he was in a stone pit that wouldn't let him even move his arms. For hours"

She frowns deeply. "I see."

"I will remember. And I will not speak of it unless he mentions it."

"Much obliged. We tried to help him but while he puts on a brave face long as he can about it, it got pretty ingrained"

"Understood." And the tone is of one who truly does understand deep hurts.

"I think he'll be so reliable you may forget he's here. Prepare for his spare time to have him hiking green patches."

A slight grin. "I will have him assist when I take the mortals from the Y on orienteering trips."

"Oh heck, that'd be right up his alley. He's not bad with childlings. Patient enough"

"That is good. So...how do you think they should be told?"

"Well, I think you should talk to Ives alone, then I'll take the other two. I'll probably play up the rover idea to Eulalie, and Djilas will survive"

She nods. "I hope they will not resent Rivervale, but not all fit well."

"Oh shoot no, " SHe says "It was the farm they were starting to resent. That's why they needed a bit of a stretch and they were able to get that thanks to here. they'll always remember the time and it helps them learn what they want or hope for. Ives will get more time to learn and stretch even more, but they're not returning to jail cells nor are they leaving one"

"And there are further options for them to explore."

"Indeed. You pointed out one yourself. But Bix might take Djilis to Brightwinds for a time."

"Yes, Baroness Derynwydd may well have a place for him there."

"I'm still skittish about a sidhe hold but Bix speaks of her powerful strong, as does Gerd. Speaking of your Emmisary, where you sending her to next if I may ask?"

"This is a good question. And there is much happening, so I have not given it a great deal of thought yet. I am considering sending her to StarBear. Sylvi went there as emissary, and it has been some time since we sent somebody there."

"Good to keep ties strong"

"Evidence of that sits here." She gestures between the two of them.

"It does, doesn't it?" Clem nods approvingly "You don't let your folk be a stranger to our lands. Lanark misses Sylvi for one thing. And I know you and frank aren't farm types but our woods nearby the stream are glorious and green"

A surprised look. "I would be there far more often if duty would allow. You forget I was raised on a farm."

"I did forget" Clem nods 'which is foolish, on how account of how well you handled that birthing cow a few falls ago. City folk are always blown away by it" A smile "Not that there's not a little magic in it mind you, but most natural thing in the world"

A grin as she recalls the moment. "I am glad I could be there for that." A sigh. "I have spent too much time away from the Lodge lately, and am likely to be away again, and so it is difficult to make the time, but I intend to return to the Farm for a pleasure visit."

"I did get a sense things were going on . My timing could have been better, clear enough. Sorry about that. i won't pry, but you know if you need aid of some sort, we are your allies in more than fair weather"

A pause, and her brow furrows. "It may come to that. I will let you know."

A nod. No more need be said

"Ah, I have not said this in some time, but SallyMae remains an important part of the Lodge. I cannot thank you enough for her presence here."

"I think you should leave the gratitude to Sally Mae herself. And credit to Hearth Kerri for making her feel so welcome here. Sally Mae's still part of the family, always will be, but I think she's not entire pleased with the limits of our farm hold and it is our shame that we could not make some more accomidations. Frankly, when we were young, I thought she was a vain flake, and she thought i was a bossy tom boy. We were both right, of course. But she's become quite amazing and much credit is due to Rivervale. "

A slight grin at her joke. "I think Hearth Kerri would say that SallyMae brought good material to work with, and that is at least in part credit to the Farm. The Kinain question is an issue both there and here, to varying degrees. We must continue to find honorable space for them in our worlds."

That's when Sally Mae swings in with Brogan and they break in a meal fit for Chiefs.

"Before either of you try to nix this fine meal made from DeBuke goods and Rivervale oven, don't, or I will text Hearth Kerri and sic her on you." then she adds, "Chieftains"

And so, a meal is begun, with Clem grunting ("Mind you, she might be a bit TOO big for her britches")