#rivervale_lodge

"Frank, can I borrow your tastebuds? " Sally Mae inquires

"Sure." He sets down his newspaper and comes over.

"Contrary to the name, most coffee cake doesn't actually have much if any coffee in it, at least in America. It's meant to go well with Coffee, but I've got this one with jsome of it anyway... and I was wanting you to taste test it, see if you think the Chief would like it?"

"Happy to." He takes a seat (if indicated).

She does, and offers him a slice

"Hm." He looks it over, and takes a bite.

There is a very strong coffee taste to it, a pleasant punch, but also coco and other elements that are rather nice and..complimentary.

"Try some coffee with it. See if it works , please?"

Frank nods and takes a cup; he usually doesn't at this hour, but needs must.

Well, damn it, now he's going to be up for awhile

But it IS good. Clearly made with Brekke in mind

"It's very good, Sally Mae, and I think Brekke would enjoy it."

"Good. I don't get to wow folks often enough around here and I've been doing finances so much I worry my cooking skills are slacking"

Frank continues to consume the cake. "They are not." definitively.

A pleased look, "Thank you, Frank. You do my ego good. Carowyn said much the same but , well, he loves me and I worry he's biased"

Footsteps at the door, must be family because Oak wags

Frank glances over anyway.

Siv comes in, wearing a lovely dress, and carrying a bag of food "I swear, boggans are bullies"

"Hello, Siv. Were the boggans mean to you?"

"Maria and Rosa think just because trolls are strong they can load me down like a packmule. I thought they would be low on food, but noooo 'Si, Captaz Siv, you muuust take this back to your Hearth'"

"Poor you" Sally Mae smilees and peeks in the bag "ooo this is NICE. "

"Sally Mae made coffee cake."

"Okay, that smells GOOD" Siv says "Can I have some?"

"I'll get you a slice, you put those up. Nice dress" Sally Mae says

"I can barely fight in it" siv grumbles

Heavy footsteps outside. Everybody knows the sound -- the Chieftain is returning from patrol.

Signe wags by the Chief's side.

Frank stands and goes to get a cup of coffee.

Brekke enters, taking in the room and those present. A nod to all, and a brow towards Siv. "There is an occasion?" she says, indicating the dress as she makes her way to join Frank and gratefully accept her coffee, touching his hands briefly.

"In a way," Siv says "Sis captured Lady Highfeather, and... there's coffee Cake?"

Siv goes into the kitchen to drop off the bags, after dropping that bomb

Sally Mae blinks "I had hoped to surprise you, but after that I think maybe It's gonna be rather mundane"

A blink. "Highfeather was captured? In Fenix? Jessica has her?"

From the kitchen "YUP. Jessica had Baron Tidemarch bring Highfeather in, Highfeather played innocent, then tried to plant a bomb. Little Ellie found out and foiled her plan, adorable...and now Lady Highfeather is in custody! And I? I don't get to kick Highfeathers ass. The one down side"

Frank's beard creases with a smile.

"A BOMB?" Brekke is...not happy to hear that. "Inside her Freehold?"

Coffeecake, (As above) is put before Brekke with a new cup

"Overkill." Frank rumbles, unsurprised.

"Turns out, she is NOT related to that family" Siv comes out then says "Dad? She's a squire and aw lover of your old foe. She claims ..." A troubled look "She THINKS you killed him"

Brekke's eyes go wide, and she turns to look at Frank.

Several moments of silent married-brain speak.

"Jessica calls bullshit. She was there. Tidemarch believes that the real question then must be, who FRAMED dad" Siv says

"Siv, does the lady have confederates? Others who will carry on her work?"

"Or, do you know?"

Brekke looks to Siv again, also interested in the question.

"Looking into it," Siv says "I have ... confiscated her goods. I have intell and more on her finances, contact lists, and more. Baron Kealan will assist me with tracking them down." A beat "I want to keep this to myself, but that's selfilsh. Would you two want to have the intell as well?"

"Yes."

A darkening look. "Intel? I wish to have more than that. But...intel is a start."

"Okay. I want this noted I'm maturing and being less selfish with my adventures and vengeance" Siv says "Here's the list." She shows them, then and there.