#rivervale_lodge

And she waits to see if the storm pro tem will arrive

She rises, and gets to work while she waits. She's not as good at kitchen work, though she is better. .. but one area she can do is swab. She soon has a mop and bucket out, cleaning the bare floors with gusto.

A quick knocking at the outside door from the kitchen. Actually, it sounds like it might be more a quick, light kicking.

A surprised look, and ... Siv puts the mop aside and opens it

"Oh, Siv, thank you." Kerri comes in, unusually burdened by shopping bags. Usually she can manage what she needs to bring in for shopping, but this seems to be a LOT more. She manages the bags and sets them on a clear counter.

"Careful, wet here and there..." She takes some of the bags up from her Aunt and Hearth "Good lord, this is a lot. Are we feeding Dirk again?"

"Well, yes, that's part of it, and...oh! You mopped! I'm sorry, I'm messing up the floor." But it can't be helped at this point.

"Nothing I can't do again" She assures "I just started so no harm done really. " She says she's still helping, "I came to report to acting storm Dagmar about my patrol. I took a nap, then realized I was being all slug abed. So.. put myself to work. Now, about that 'part of it?' what's the other part?"

"Well, you know about the cauldron, but it's also the holidays, so there's prep for all that food, and..." she holds her finger to her lips and drops her voice "...is Olgar around?"

"Nay. Tis just me" She says "Well, and the dogs. They miss mom and da"

"They do," she agrees as she quickly removes a bag from inside another bag. "Need to hide this," she says with a wink...apparently she also went shopping for at least one gift for her hubby.

Away it goes into the locked cabinet.

"Ooo, what'd you get him? If it maybe said?"

"None of your business, Ms. Snoop!" she replies with a grin.

The lock is locked. "Respect that, please," she says lightly as she goes back to unpacking the foodstuffs. She knows Siv wouldn't dare.

"Huff" She says good naturedly "I'll be good. Jonas has me trained" Grumble "I tried to spy on a gift left by him. Opened it. There was a box with the words "The person inside is in trouble" I Opened THAT. Twas a small mirror, so I saw my own face. He stored the real one somewhere else "

She chuckles. "You got the partners you deserve."

"Then, over all, I've been very good" Faux primly, then a smile. She looks back at the mop "Samhain urges make me messy. THought I'd fight them by cleaning duty"

"I truly appreciate it. Have you eaten recently?"

"Does Coffee count as food?"

She shakes her head and points at the shopping bags. "Please put the cold items away while I make you a sandwich."

"Meat or veggie or both?"

She starts too put the cold items away "If it's no trouble? A mix of both if you please. And hot? I know it's not that late, but I've been feeling a touch chill. Worried I'm getting the sniffles. Nothing serious, but I don't want it near Piper while she's carrying"

A frown as she takes out some roast beef to slice and heat up. "Chill, as in sick? Or chill, as in banality?"

"The former, thank the gods" She says with a reassuring smile "I'm subject to the latter like an arcadian, I know but nay. Tis the simple chill of..well, unwarm. "

"Fair enough." The sandwich is coming together quickly and efficiently.

As she puts the cold meat away, she does sniffle , only slightly. Could be the creeping crud trying to take root

"Are you getting enough rest? I mean, I know it's unlikely."

"I nap when I can" She says, which is a very troll answer, honest, but reluctant to admit any weakness

"You need more than a nap. And you're right to protect Piper from getting sick. Tell you what... You stay here tonight. Get some solid sleep."

"Hearth's orders?" She asks with a hint of a smile to show she's not cranky about the kindness implied

"Absolutely Hearth's orders. And I'll get the Storm-pro-tem to back me up as needed."

"So..." She hands over the sandwich, with its toasted bread and caramelized onions in perfectly balanced proportions with the hot roast beef. "Eat this now. Later, there will be soup for you, and there will also be sleep."

She sniffs, a bit harder than normal to get the scent and bypass her sniffles, "Don't have to bend me arm on that, I'll mop before I nap though." She washes her hands and takes the meal "Unless you'd like me to mop now? Need to tell Dagmar about my patrol when I can. Someone made a pumpkin golem"

"Food, then mop, and confer with Dagmar when you can."

She nods "WIll do. Thanks, Kerri. You're the best"

"I take care of my people." She tidies up after sandwich making, then starts putting away the non-cold items. "Do you want to inform your two, or do you want me to?"

"I'll text them" She promises "They'll understand the need"

"You don't want them to worry, though. If I contact them, I can say I'm calling you in to help with Lodge duty for the night."

"I.. I don't like lying to em" She admits

"Not technically a lie. You're on mop duty."

"True, thank you for calling then" She yields

A wink. "My pleasure. I'll do that right now."

She heads out of the kitchen and to the phone closet to make the call.

She tears into her sandwhich with gratitude

And call are made, as usual, the Hearth has things in hand

(End Scene)