#rivervale_lodge

So it is, sometime later, Gwen/Gladiola pulls up in her vehicle. Ivan by her side... a three hour plus drive, with a dog. Ivan is precious to her. Also, may prove very useful in proper example of canine behavior

It's possible she might have someone else with her as well. Who insisted on coming along, and will take a trod back if need be.

Maybe more than one someone

Dame Gladiola gets out of the vehicle. She hears some of the rivervale dogs annoouncing her arrival. Ivan gets out, big boy that he is.

She is dressed in respectable voile, a touch courtly, but practical. Sadly after a 3 hour plus trip with a redcap .. it might be a bit crumpled too.

Briar, blessedly, slept a bit along the way. However, that leaves her grumpy. "So what's the big deal about this joint?" She says, loudly and dismissively as she looks over the somewhat rustic environs.

"Dogs."

"It's always dogs."

GRUNT. "We GOT Dogs at HOME."

Having heard an unfamiliar car on the gravel of the drive, Kerri has come down to meet the visitors.

A grin. "Welcome to Rivervale!" she says to the new arrivals.

Thistle cranes her neck to look up at the Hearth.

"Dame Gladiola, I hope the traffic was easy."

"Mind your manners, please" Gladiola says then as Kerri arrives, she bows "Hearth Kerri, the others were curious about this location and accompanied me. You've met Thistle at pennons perhaps? And I am sure Briar khnows your food even if she does not know you."

"My WHUT?"

Briar looks the large woman up and down, with a carefully UNIMPRESSED look. She crosses her arms. "Got anything to eat?"

"Bit late to say she's not with me, isn't it?" Gladiola sighs, then says "Briar, she's the Hearth. It's one o the pillars of troll lodge leadership. In a way she's like a Steward and Chattelaine combined... she's also an amazing chef."

"Hello, Thistle and Briar. Good to see you both. And you as well, Ivan," she says to the dog.

"Is everything built at this scale?"

Ivan is on official behavior so stays firm and ready, but he also wags a bit when addressed.

"Briar, absolutely there's food. Let's all head up to the Lodge."

She doesn't seem at all concerned that there's an unexpected redcap.

To Thistle, she says, "Most of Rivervale is troll-sized, yes, but we try to provide accommodations for all." So saying, she beckons them to follow her up to the Lodge.

Oak certainly is lolling his tongue

Gladiola gets something out of the back, hidden... and.. it's a box of cookies! Off to follow as well, and says "We appreciate this personal greeting, Hearth. I know you're very busy. My mother hid this ..err had me bring this along to give to Emmisary Gerd"

If Kerri notices Oak's amused expression, she lightly taps him on the head as she passes him.

Briar runs ahead. "DIBS!" Luckily, she didn't see the hidden box.

Oak wags.

Ivan tries to look dignified CHOO

Snort at Briar.

A brow at Briar, then grins at Gwen. "I'm sure Gerd will be delighted. How is your mother doing?"

A muttered "...huh" and Thistle wanders off to the side, to closely inspect the carved lintel.

"You know mom, she wouldn't complain about how she was doing if she was on fire" A bit more informal and fond "That said she seems to be doing well. SHe's made a fuss over my departure but is also proud. You know it is. She informed me to tell you she knows you had a Mediterranean vacation and looks forward to sending something against you in Pennons even if it means your greecian cooking might be better than ever." A friendly gauntlet

A little flicker of deep green light, and a rather shy never bobs in the air, quietly trailing after Thistle. Where did this one come from? It doesn't seem to be one of her 'regulars'.

She pokes at the intricate knotwork, feeling the quality of the carving with her fingertips.

A laugh at that. "I definitely learned a thing or two on that trip! I look forward to going head-to-head with her again."

This knotwork is quality, more than that... it has passion one might not expect from a hold of stoic giants

The scale of the common room may dazzle them a bit. Fortunately, there are step stools for the higher chairs and benches, and some lower furniture as well.

Curious scritches about the window. Chimerical squirrels that rarely come this close to the lodge at the glass. Their bushy tails are brown, gray and red, but with alternating even brighter sparkling stripes!

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. There's a restroom over there should you wish to freshen up. I'll bring out some food and drink."

Oak grins, and immediately gives chase! Part of his Duty. They scatter

"Did one person do all of this, or did it, like, grow organically with the freehold?"

Gwen loves Silverwolf best, but there is something about this place, the right size, the art work, that makes her smile.

"This is clearly one artist. Lookit the j-shape when they lift the knife."

Kerri hears the question and pauses at the kitchen door. "Chieftain Brekke did most of the detail work, though the Lodge itself adds touches here and there, especially for holidays."

She vanishes into the kitchen.

"Makes sense, the Chieftain is bound to the lodge, it knows her, she it, and follows her designs I bet" Gwen says to Thistle , finding the cookies have been taken away for Gerd later. "I'm gonna freshen up, wash my hands. Try not to dismantle anything? I won't be long"

"I won't dismantle anything that can't be put back!"

"Uhm.." brow