#rivervale_lodge

She looks to the group. "I have already spoken with the Count, and he has agreed, reluctantly. He has given some stipulations, and I believe they are reasonable."

"COURSE he did" Olgar snorts

A wry brow to Olgar before she continues. "Hearth Kerri, if you agree, the Count and I would both wish to see you take the role of Baroness and Chieftain."

Her eyes go wide.

Kerri's chin comes up, and she looks a bit tense. "What would that mean? I mean...I'm sorry, Chieftain, but...what does the Count insist on?"

Olgar looks protective

Sylvi's frowning hard now, looking like she's ready to step toe-to-toe with Hemlock if he wants to force her mother into something.

Vali sighs "it means you win every arguement we have over policy ever from now on" Good natured despite the melodramtic sigh

"It means..." Brekke says after a glance at Vali "...that you would be required to take an oath of fealty to him, and he would oath vassalage to you. He and I both agree that the title of Baroness would give you and the Lodge greater protections...but he also says it may not be necessary." She tilts her head at the Hearth to see her reaction.

Kerri swallows tightly. "Would I have to take a House?"

"Well, Jessica's a duchess..."

Olgar fights a scowl

Brekke shakes her head. "No, he has agreed that that may not be needed."

A nod to Dagmar. "Yes, but that is in a land that she first won by conquest. She was able to pressure others into some rules of her choosing."

"Can I..." Kerri pauses a moment. "Chieftain, I've thought about this a bit, because I thought about the same things you did when everything was happening with the Count and all those whispers that were going around. But now that it comes to it, I..." Another pause. "May I think on it, and give you my answer later?"

Brekke nods slowly. "Yes. But do not take long. If other plans are necessary for the transition, we will need to know sooner than later."

"You will also need to ready the one who will become your Hearth."

Kerri's eyes widen briefly, but she nods.

"Wait, if she doesn't become Chief she's got to give up being Hearth too, or if she does she can't be both?" Olgar asks

Brekke pauses, then nods. "That was presumptuous of me. Yes, of course you may continue as both Chieftain and Hearth as you wish it."

"Bout to say, you pulled off double duty as Storm and Chief so I was confused" Olgar admits

"Thank you," Kerri says quietly. "I will think on it." She rests her hand on Olgar's arm.

Olgar gives her hand a squeeze with her own

"So...who's going to be Storm, then?" Sylvi finally finds her voice.

Dagmar bites on her lip, and looks over at Olgar.

"Storm is more difficult, in some ways," Brekke says. "Dame Dagmar, you know that I wish for you to take the role of Storm when you are ready, but I do not know if this is the right time. You have the burden of school still."

Frown. Nod.

Brekke raises a brow. "I would hear your thoughts, if you have any to offer."

"I could transfer to the community college. I could get a job in River Vale."

"You could do both of those things," Brekke nods. "Is that what you truly wish to do?" And Dagmar knows better than to try to lie.

She frowns.

"I don't know."

"Rivervale matters more to me than school."

"And that is part of why Rivervale thrives. But I think the role can be given in stewardship until your schooling is complete. That is...if you would agree, Rover Olgar."

Olgar has been quiet mostly, but now that he is addressed directly, "I've taken up Storm pro tem before... could do it again" He nods "I can be the place holder until Dagmar is graduated. Need to stay closer to home anyway"

Another bite on her lip but she nods. Of course it would be Olgar.

Oak has moved to Frank's side and leaned against him a bit possessively

Sylvi gives her dad a stunned nod. She still is having trouble with the fact that almost everything she's known since birth is getting upended.

"This also means," Brekke says to Dagmar, "that if you wish to pursue more questing or other roles before becoming Storm, you have that leeway."

Oak gets his ears rumpled.

"Right... I.. right."

Brekke nods. "You need not agree, either of you, immediately. But...soon please. And we can speak more."

"Damned Straight" Olgar nods "Dagmar...folks are asking what you want, not just what you're willing to do. So think over on that some. I can hold the torch for a while if need be and turn it over whenever you feel ready. And if you don't want it at all? That's okay too. I know you hate change... but if it's coming, know you got friends and fam here who will make it smooth as possible for ya"

"I'm curious where our lovebirds are going to be spending their retirement" A look to FRANK and BREKKE "Alaska ?"

Brekke nods agreement with Olgar, then looks around the group. "I know that few of us enjoy change, especially not sudden change. That is why I am trying to make this less sudden."

"I want what's best for Rivervale."

Brekke gives Frank a fond look before nodding. "Alaska. That has been the plan for some time."

To Dagmar she says, "It is not easy to know what is best...but there are many options that are equally good."

"Sometimes there's no 'best'" Olgar says "In our cases? Its just different flavors of badass"

"As you say," Brekke agrees with Olgar, letting a bemused grin break through.