#rivervale_lodge

As soon as Brekke enters the Lodge, she knows something is amiss.

Or rather, something is missing.

The familiar quiet jo-jo-jo-jo just on the edge of perception...isn't there.

She frowns and goes to get a closer look. She spots Siv's note and picks it up to read.

Her expression grows troubled. Did we work him too hard, for too long? I did not suspect there was trouble.

There IS coffee, of course. just not the jo jo coffee

the JOJO coffee she loves

She struggles with this notion briefly, but eventually drinks the available coffee.

Vali did this. He doesn't intend it, but he doesn't brew that well

Her expression twitches slightly, but she regains her stoic composure.

"Hi, Chief," Gerd says

She looks over. "Gerd. I did not hear you. You saw this?" She indicates Siv's note.

"I did. Ah, Chief? It's worse than it looks" Sympathetic "You know i keep things stocked on Tea, but... well, wkthout Jo Jo here, we're a bit behind on coffee. And.. what we have left is.. is uhm.." She squirms

Now a hint of alarm. "How bad?"

"Not counting The Mountain's brew you're drinking now... we're down to Decaff"

A blink. It's possible the Chieftain has bluescreened for a moment.

The balefire has a similar reaction, guttering in shock despite the recent addition of Imbolc fire.

"Ah, " gerd says "Sorry. If the Hearth were around I'm sure she'd get some more"

Then she clears her throat. "It has been so long that we have relied on Jo-Jo, I do not know where to look for decent beans. But yes...surely the Hearth will know. She knows of the situation?"

"Yes, but she's on another project... dropping off some food to some charity thing with Dame Anne Marie. Could take all day"

Brekke frowns, momentarily questioning the Hearth's priorities, but she sets that aside.

The door opens and Sally Mae comes in with a bag ...

Brekke can smell it in that bag. Real Coffee , well, coffee ready to become coffee!

The frown departs immediately. "Success?" she says, knowing the answer.

"Hey, heard there was a bit of an emergency from the Hearth..." Sally Mae says "So yes, success. And don't worry, Chieftain, I learned my lesson the first week I worked here" A smile "No fancy blends, no minty flavoring or the like... just the classic. ' A look at what she's drinking "Gerd's?"

"Uncle Vali's" Gerd corrects sally Mae's guess

Sally Mae looks alarmed "I'll make a new pot of the real stuff right away. Sorry, Chief. The Mountain's a good man but honestly he doesn't brew well"

"It is...adequate," Brekke says and bravely takes another sip.

The twitch is barely noticeable.

If you use your imagination it's almost... nope, still not helping much

Sally Mae is no Gwydion but she knows when someone is trying to be kind "You're entitled to haven too, Chief. And for you, Haven includes coffee done your way"

Gerd says "i'd offer her tea but you know I'm alone on that in this den of bean lovers" Still a wilder, there's a touch of drama to her plight

A grateful look to Sally Mae, and then a brow at Gerd. "I respect the leaf-drinkers, even if I do not understand them."

"Gerd, drama club is that away, help me put this stuff in the kitchen" She informs Gerd. Saly Mae maybe kinain, but the troll complies

Brekke takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. A temporary solution is in place. But hopefully Siv returns successful.

The balefire seems more in command of itself. Order has been restored, more or less. Still, Jo Jo's absence is tangible

She is determined to remain optimistic. "Return well," she murmurs to the space where Jo-Jo should be.

Soon Sally Mae returns with a fresh cup of the GOOD stuff, "Here, I'll take that other mug..."

And graduallly Brekke has her haven. trusting that Jo Jo, and her daughter, will be back safe and timely

(Fade to Coffee... Black)