#rivervale_lodge

(Time bendy wobbly )

Jessica arrives earlier than she expected through the door, and almost immediately has two dogs checking her out

"Hey there, Oak...." she greets at least one of them back; both, if she know the other.

Signe is much younger and not full Great Pyrenes and she looks defensive

However Oak wags immediatelly and bumps the younger dog as if to say it's okay, before leaning into Jessica's hand

She scritches and offers Signe her other hand.

Signe sniffs, then seems to like the smell of her, and allows a pet or two

From below, a voice speaks up, "Hello?" It sounds like Vali

"Vali?" she looks around for him.

"In the paperwork desk" He says "Hey, Jessica. Welcome... can I get you something to drink?"

"Hey." she enters the main Lodge room "Thank you, and no. I'm fine. How're you?"

"Better than I was" He says "Thank you. Taking advantage of Thanksgiving week vacation to catch up"

"I heard a bit about it." Jess volunteers "Glad you have some time to work on it."

She can see he has paperwork, "Ah, yes. the Pillars saved my ass, or at least my marriage" he says "i'm still behind on my novel and my publisher is itchy but I'm not as in the hole in most areas as I was."

"Good."

"Now, How's your County?"

"Good. We have made some progress with the local Nunnehi.... bit not as much with the mainlanders at war with us." And she fills him in.

He listens and nods "When lines get drawn, they can be hard to erase."

"Jessica, you do know you've got allies to draw on, even for a fight if need be? the lodge, the Debukes, etc?"

He clarifies "Not meaning to pester and if you got it covered you got it covered, but I felt I had to offer"

''I know, Vali."

A nod "Props to you and your people for getting this cemented so far. This Otem guy sounds dependable"

"He is. I trust him."

A nod "Worth it."

"How're things going here? I mean, I hear things when I call but...."

"well..." Vali says "It's not been without it's tensions and challenges. Don't tell the college goers this, but their abscence was felt. Then, Samhain hit both your parents really hard. Your sister got laid off for winter, not her doing, just the nature of the biz. Connor is visiting Silverwolf. But the new blood has been helpful. Squire Valter's so reliable the guy's almost annoying. "

Jessica has a small smile "Don't know... sound pretty good, actually."

"Your mom seems to agree. " He admits not unkindly "Oh, Kerri and Olgar went off to Crete! they had some adventure there but I don't have the story yet"

"WOW. Really?"

"She won it as a prize in Pennons for her contest. Prizes aren't new to her, but a vacation prize? that is. " A grin "Honestly it was kind of funny. the whole lodge had to put their foots down to get her to go and enjoy herself. Sally Mae took over smoothly enough for her abseence with Brogan's help. The Chief informed the Hearth it would be so. First time I've seen your mom pull rank on the Hearth quite the directly"

Jess chuckles "Wow." she repeats "And... well, good. I mean... I don't ever remember Kerri taking a vacation. Olgar either. I mean, even mom and dad took that sailing vacation."

"And your dad had to convince your mom it was training for a quest" a nod

"they did spend a weekend over at your place that summer, but that was just a door way away" he recalls

"Right. How did they get to Crete? -Crete-?" she repeats with some incredulity "Did they pick Crete? Why Crete?"

"Five star hotel, big cullinary haven, fine chefs from all over the world cook there, and folks can learn from them OR they can goof off at the beach, or shop or whatever... blame the Baron of Teaneck."

"Huh." she frowns in thought for a moment, then shrugs "Well. I'm sure they'll enjoy it."

"Actually I'm not sure what they did but they came back victorious" He shrugs

"Of course they did!"

"Goldfinch has actually taken a lot of pressure off the community. Gives the wilders a hold they can cut loose in, and inspires a lot of dreamers to boot"

"It's a genius idea. I know that each Freehold in Renaissance has a different style and flavor and aptitude."

"I suppose the Pitt is kind of an Outlet for Renaissance too, in its way" he nods

"Oh, how is Dame Ashlyn? My old mentor doing okay?"

"The Pitt absolutely is, and probably the most popular among the local Nunnehi. Dae Ash is well, and sends her best to you and your family, specifically."

A pleased look at that "That does my heart good to hear."

"She's another invaluable member of our team."

"Oh she'll knock herself out to get a job done. Probably her dedication to duty is why she gets along with trolls"

"An admirable trait." Jess agrees.

"Mind you, I drove her a bit nuts when I was a teenager"

"Can't imagine why." Jess says with a straight face.

"Your diplomacy skills are really sharp now" A somber nod in return