#rivervale_lodge

"Mmm."

"...So why the chimera?"

"It's not just chimera from what I gather, but that IS the weird part. I mean, every hold has some friendly chimera nearby or even within but counting as much as you can of even the wild ones? It's down right dangerous. 'Hi Dragon, sorry to wake you, but could you tell us your preferred pronouns while we take your weight measurements?' is a good way to get killed"

Frank listens thoughtfully.

Grunt. "Only the sentient ones, at least. Some really don't have much by way of brains, yeah?"

"That's true" A nod

"I think the Chief may ask you to question the Sky wolves. You have a good relationship with them."

"I'll protect them."

"Well, the Chief gets to assign the duties of who sees who so that's mostly a guess. "

"I mean, I don't want to tell all their secrets?"

"Think about the questions you ask, then." Frank rumbles quietly, and falls silent.

She nods.

Vali nods "Frank's right. We don't know what games the higher ups are playing so I can see why you want to do what is asked of you and stop there. The Chief may have advice there too."

"She is also Gwydion." Frank agrees.

"But we like you both anyway" Vali smiles

A fond eye roll.

"How's Connor?" Vali asks "Happy to be back?"

Sad smile, and a nod.

"Why the sad face if he's happy to be back?" A gentle look "if you're willing to share? "

"What sad face? No, the kid's good, I'm sure."

A brow "Okay. Maybe I misread, but that looked like a sad smile. Are you good?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

A brow lift at the non answer, but he says "Well, if you weren't, you know you've got friends and elders happy to listen. I tease Hearth Kerri, but she's among the best for that . I'm available too just in case you hadn't heard. " THen thoughtfully "Gerd did get to visit Connor more than you during the year. Have you asked her about the pictures yet?"

"Pictures?"

"You let her borrow that camera of yours? She used it when visiting Connor at Silverwolf"

Another smile. "Good."

"She's got about twenty of the darn things in a little chimerical photo albulm" He nods "It's at my house but she'll probably bring it here anytime you want, or if you want to fetch it yourself feel welcome. Of course tonight she is at Fenix"

"All the way down there?"

"Well, the trod door literally hooks here so not a big distance. I imagine that the user of flesh canvas is saved from the frothing and she who is beloved by Fire is lighting the way towards peace by now" A sip of his coffee

Brow?

"oh sorry, I had a vision but it's over now so I can talk about it. It still comes out in Beumaynese"

"Mmph."

"Riiiight."

Sally Mae peeks out "Frank? Dagmar, VAli? Are any of you hungry? " She seems a touch irked by something but puts on a pleasant face

"Ohhh, are there snacks? I can help." She oofs to her feet.

Frank has his hands full. Of ear-rumples. "I'm fine, thank you Sally Mae."

"Thank you, Dagmar. I was wondering about a full meal for folks but we can do snacks. It's more than anyone has... well, no nevermind" She motions her to join her in the kitchen.

Vali had shaken his head. Then once Sally Mae and Dagmar went to the kitchen, Vali looks over at Frank "Sally Mae's in a sour mood lately"

"Mm?"

She trails after the kinain.

"More than anybody's what?"

Sally Mae, in the kitchen says "I was going to say smores for anybody sounds fun" She has fogotten Dagmar is a Gwydion because that was , well, a lie

Vali, with Frank says "Sally Mae, she's been in a bad mood of late. Not sure what's eating her."

Frank works with the doggie ears for a bit.

"I hadn't noticed. But, haven't been about much, either."

Brow.

The dogs are in canine heaven. Vali says "I guess. I haven't been here much around meal times but it's clear she's giving me and others hairy eyeballs"

Inside the kitchen, Sally Mae notices the brow, then sighs "I'd pay good money to avoid that boon some days"

"Sorry."

A pause. "But I'm not a snitch?"

"Mmm."