#rivervale_lodge

When Vali hears someone else come in, he turns to see if it is Kerri, or Sylvi

It's Kerri, and she carefully cleans off her boots to avoid tracking in the late-winter, pre-spring mud.

"Hearth" He says "Wanted you to know I've extended an invitation to a guest"

"A guest? Good. Anybody I know?"

"Mickey Boyd, Pooka comedian, impersonator, and part time drag queen, also Piper's bio father. He flew up here, I hope not literally.. I told him we'd be honored to have him, and grant him haven. He's here tonight, but he is fine with switching to the lake house if need be. "

"Piper's father!" She looks surprised and pleased. "Siv's told me a bit. Sounds like a fun person. Here to see the babies, I'm sure. Well, and Piper, of course."

"No doubt. Funny guy. I caught his act once. He does a hilarious Dolly Parton, pardon, Polly Darton. He's in the spare room, and it occured to me before I hand out thefull three nights I should see if you already had reservations incoming. Sorry if I just added to our work load, but I couldn't bring myself to deny the guy"

"Nobody else incoming that I know of, but as you said, the Lakehouse is always an option if we get overrun for some reason."

"That turned out to be a good investment. ALso, called Tiffany... she's assembling clothes that Theon has outgrown to offer up, and has volunteered to mug some folks she knows for more. I THINK Mug is just a figure of speech. She also is ready to run deliveries or odd jobs if you want."

"Easy investment when it's the Count making it," she points out wryly. "And I think there will be three very happy parents ready to accept that donation. Thank her for me, will you?"

"I will. Unless a fire pops up and the station gets a call, she'll be spending her time near home and ready for orders. I love that woman" he smiles fondly "Very much a 'you're not the boss of me, but can I get you anything?' type of wife. Best type." Fond

"As long as you reciprocate in kind, that's perfect." She putters about a bit, tidying here and there.

A half-chuckle. "There's been so much going on, I haven't really had a chance to meet with Count Hemlock about the...upcoming arrangements."

"Oh yes, I've a honeydew list trust you me" Still a smile "And sometimes I get the stuff she doesn't ask for, but secretly wishes she could get without feeling bad about it. If I do it, she's off the hook." Then at Hemlock " Is he pushing hard this soon?" Surprised

"Not exactly. But." A pause. "I'm supposed to accept the position, formally. Soon."

"Yeah, I've been working on that" He reaches to his desk and hands her some papers "When you get the chance, look over these."

A curious expression, and she goes to take the papers from him. She glances over them.

He sums up before she has to read "Variations on the oath. Notes such as swearing as Dame or Baroness, but not as Chieftain, and the effects that might have so you can suss it out which is best for you. There's time limits, and one with provisos, though that last might offend Hemlock or might not. I'm mountain, Oaths are something I'm SUPPOSED to work on, as your husband reminded me" Wryly

She reads. "So...I suppose Dame is less irritating to me than Baroness," she reasons.

She reads for another minute, then sighs. "I can't focus on this just now." She offers the papers back to him.

"I understand. " He puts them at a location at the desk "Right here when and if you ever want to. Olgar and I figured that it might ease your burden to know that you had some options and variety of choice, which you probably already knew, but he's right, it's my duty to offer aid in this." A head tilt "And I hope it makes you feel a little less buried. While that waits, how else can I help? Laundry, phone calls? Whatever you need. "

She's no Gwydion, but she can tell he means it

"Well...the occasional pep talk wouldn't hurt. But not just now. I have a sudden need to make cookies." And the Hearth retreats to her favored terrain, the kitchen.

"Can't go wrong with that" he says. And Tiffany will visit so you have a pooka to talk to who you know CAN'T spill

(Fade to cookies)