#rivervale_lodge

About two weeks after Samhain, Brekke calls a meeting. Specifically, she asks for the following to attend: Frank, Vali, Kerri, Olgar, Dagmar, and Sylvi.

Dagmar is early. Anxiety is good for punctuality!

Vali arrives. Dressed in relative finery

Brekke welcomes them at them door as they arrive. She rests a hand on Dagmar's shoulder reassuringly, and looks bemused at Vali's choice of clothing. "Such fine attire was not necessary, Mountain."

Frank is there, of course.

Kerri is already sitting at the table, next to Olgar, watching everybody carefully.

Dagmar has a tendency to lurk, and to chew on her nails.

Kerri beckons Dagmar to the table; she belongs there.

A brow quirk, but she goes over to sit near Kerri and Olgar.

A nod and a brief grin to Dagmar from Kerri.

Olgar scratches his chin, clearly curious

Sylvi shows up last. "Sorry, everybody...sorry. Hey!" she waves to everybody, then says more seriously, "Chieftain, hello."

Vali says "Sorry, Chieftain. I was using it earlier today anyway"

"Welcome, Freeholder," Brekke greets Sylvi after giving Vali a brief quirked eyebrow.

"Come, we are all here," Brekke says as she moves to her seat. Kerri gets up briefly to make sure that everybody has something to drink.

Brekke takes a quiet moment to look around the group, making eye contact with each person briefly.

Sylvi glances across at Dagmar as if to say, Do you know what's going on?

A small shake of her head.

Olgar is ugly as ever, but seems in decent spirits

Frank sits near Brekke, stoically.

Brekke finally says, "Thank you for being here. I have something in mind to speak about with all of you, as it impacts all of you. It has been in mind since the matter with the Count earlier this year."

Brows furrow again.

((Note: I figure this would be shortly before Thanksgiving, timewise.))

"At the time..." she continues "...there were rumors and thoughts that the Count might be about to retire, and I began to imagine what might need to happen at Rivervale should I be reassigned. Then, it turned out not to be the case."

"I think he'd be too worried we'd strike" Olgar only half jokes

Brekke gives a slow nod. "I think you are not wrong. However...the situation gave me a push to truly look at what we have here...the talent, the strengths, the knowledge...and I was gratified to know that the Lodge and the Barony would be well in hand if I were not here."

"We'd not let you go. Especially not for some carpetbagger."

"Thank you, Chieftain," Kerri says quietly, but she watches the Chieftain carefully.

A slight grin to Dagmar. "I appreciate that. But I trust that, had it been necessary, you would have served Rivervale as best you could for as long as you could."

Vali has poured himself a drink, a bit of liquor in it

"I'm sworn to you, so." A shrug.

A nod to Dagmar. "That will not change," she says clearly and firmly. Then she clears her throat. "So. Some time has passed since then. Not much, but enough to be time to think." A pause, then she says slowly, "It is time for us all to discuss my retirement."

Vali takes a drink

Kerri inhales deeply and slowly, her expression that of one who has had suspicions confirmed.

Sylvi blinks. "Wait. What?"

Olgar looks over at Kerri, a nod, as if she had voiced a few thoughts and been proven right

Vali says to Sylvi, "She wants to retire. " He doesn't seem surprised either "Omens and portents aside, it fits some clues"

BLINK.

Kerri briefly squeezes Olgar's hand, then releases.

Brekke gives a slightly pained look to Vali. "It is impossible to keep you from knowing a thing."

Then she nods to the group. "I am ready. And you, all, are more than ready."

"More past and present than future, Chief," Vali asserts, "Frank retired... and signs were you'd follow him... eventually. "

Frank does not seem shocked at all.

Olgar scratches his chin, "Chief, you busted your ass for years. No doubt. But please tell me got a transition period? Change is good. Abrupt Change is a pain in the ass"

"Fair," Brekke says to Vali with a nod.

"....You're not going to be Chief? Or.... not Storm?"

A slight grin to Olgar and a nod. "Yes. That is why I am starting the process now. I hope we can be ready by the Summer Solstice."

Sylvi's just looking from person to person as they speak, stunned into uncharacteristic silence.

Brekke turns to Dagmar. "I will not be Chieftain, nor Storm. It is time to pass those titles along. But...I need to know that all agree."

A deep frown.