#rivervale_lodge

The phone call for Frank is a gloomy one

"Sorry, Frank. You're too independent , they want more control over your time table. It's the new SOP" The guy who had hoped to contract him to the bigger company says

"I'll have to pass, then, Gunn." he says evenly.

"I hear you, Frank. At some companies They actually want to install monitors and cameras that they control remotely. The biz is getting a bit Orwellian ,I can't deny it. I'll see what else I can find around. It's their loss, really but they'll never see it"

"Mm. Thanks for looking."

And Gunn hangs up

"Everything okay there, Frank?" Olgar asks

As does Frank. "Just fine." he responds.

"Fair enough.." Olgar scratches his chin, "This a bad time?"

"No." Frank looks at the ogre "You have something for me?"

"Well, I figure you'll say no... but I was pressured to ask" Olgar mmphs "It's regarding the Knights of the Way..aka we Rovers. You know the organization is isn't just on the trods , right?"

Frank nods; he knows.

"Well, my focus has always been the Silver, , I love the Dreaming what can I say..." He says "But we lost a lot of Rovers in that Willows snap on the Silver awhile back, and we're shuffling folks around. Now they asked if I wanted to live in Willows and I told them Kerri would kill me and I'd be miserable. They figured that out, and sent other folks from other areas instead when I made some suggestions. Problem is, by working that, we've depleted our numbers in general, not just willows, when it comes to the non trod work and escorts. That includes roads. plain old highways and such"

"Anyway" he carries on "Some folks can't or won't travel the trods. Often becausse they have kinain or even mundane fam they won't leave behind. So the Knights are kind of on a recruiting drive... and we need good drivers to sign up. " he looks dubious at how Frank might react

The King's eyebrow "You're recruiting me for the Knights of the Way?"

"I am just one guy, a senior member, sure but others are pushing for it. Remember that punk kid, Hastien, who works in Brightwinds Barony now near Sparrow? I trained the punk, now he's gotten cocky tells me you'd be good at it and I'm an idiot if I don't at least make the attempt" He says "It's partly our own fault, as an orginization, that we're so trod focused. We've glamourized it, pun intended.. when you can walk the Silver and face myths, who wants to drive a cab or alleyway? You, on the other hand, love the road."

"The mortals on it." Frank correct "I've always been an independent operator, Olgar."

"It's a pretty disorganized group, Frank. We don't travel in droves unless we're training new blood like I do"

He considers "Well, that's not always true. Near nightmare trods we do tend to double up. But otherwise"

"Not really the selling point you might think it is."

"I'm just being honest witcha," The Ogre points out, and takes a sip from his beer, "People are what we're about, by the way. Protecting them. Even the assholes sometimes"

"Mm."

"Look, the offer is out there. The Order was inspired by the legends and deeds of Red Rory and Moira the Mountain. In essence, trolls who join this society vow to patrol Concordia, rescuing travelers and making all ways safe for the Dreaming. We Unseelie tend to be a little more fickle in our definition of who counts as part of the dreaming, no secret. Most Seelie Rovers include sons of adam and daughters of eve as parts too though, which sounds a lot like you, come to think of it. And I admit, I am not looking forward to butting heads with you if I do try to pull senoritiy. The good news for you, is unless you take it trod wise, which would be welcome too, you'd be likely on your own from the start. You're no rookie when it comes to protecting travelers on highways and backroads. If you want to think it over, think it over. Talk to Brekke maybe. If you want to say no, that's fine. We're swamped in some areas... got a group of women we gotta smuggle out for abortions by mundane means, got some folks we're getting out of a chemical spill area who can't afford to move on their own, and at least one guy with enemies who won't take the trod because his mortal wife can't and he's afraid of PLANES. "

"Not really looking to make any Oaths, but I will speak with Brekke about it."

"Appreciate you at least considering it"

He makes a toast with his beer can

Frank nods in return.

"You wouldn't know any other trolls who are truckers or bikers or the like and might be interested would you?"

That makes him pause. "Mm."

He thinks.

"It's been... years. Over a decade. Since I did any networking. I could look around."

"Well, if you see anyone you think might be interested I'd appreciate it, but you don't have to make it a priority when you got other things on your mind. I know you'll be looking for a run"

OOC sorry, had a meeting there.

Frank nods. "Yep. I try not to miss the holidays but..."

"But it's not always possible to avoid it" A nod "Carnival coming up... you gonna be here for that one?"

"Depends on work."

"I hear you... You might want to talk to Vali. He's got an idea to help the Chief out this year"

"She needs help?"

"Well depends if the Count holds it as his place as usual doesn't it? Otherwise she's expected to play fool here for the night. The Chief's been lucky as it's been years since that happened"

"Mm." Frank thinks about it "Vali talk to Brekke about this idea of his?"

"Don't know" he answers honestly

"I don't think he has. He mentioned wanting your opinion."

Frank shakes his head twice. "Mm. Well. See what I can do."

"Maybe it's a pillar thing" A shrug and his beer can empty, he throws it away "Anyway, thanks again for hearing me out earlier. I gotta go tackle the bathroom and clean it out. Kerri was looking at the idea with dread so I hope it'll be a nice surprise for her when she gets home and finds it already done."

and with that, he heads off to tackle a bathroom scrub down

(End Scene)

Siv enters in

"Okay, I Had a talk with the lingering cupids... fortunately they listen to the Fiona so... " A look about 'Anyone here?"

"Huh, then as involuntary pillar of the Mountain, I know claim rulership over all the lodge until any number of folks show up and hand me my ego check" Siv shrugs and pours herself a cup of coffee

Only to hear a rattle from something