#rivervale_lodge

It must be said that Franklyn (Franki) Lyric is lucky to be alive. Yet she is, and she has regained some of her intended mass, and is so healthy now. And yes, she's adorable.

Of course she is.

And woe betide anybody who says otherwise.

It's been a while since Brekke's sung some of the old lullabyes, but Franlyn gets a private, quiet performance.

Franki seems to love it, to the point that she does indeed drift to sleep under the tune.

Signe curls up near the crib, and takes watch. No one will hurt the little one. She will protect.

A solemn nod of approval to Signe. She is a Good Dog.

And, of course, that's when there is a knock on the lodge door.

Downstairs, Kerri emerges from the kitchen, aware that Siv is still crashed out on the couch, and goes to the door swiftly before the person can knock again. She opens it slightly with a finger to her lips to signal whoever it is to be quiet.

She sees a girl, age 8, a troll ? She is dressed up right spiffy, her voile not armored, but sturdy. Yes, a troll . She instantly goes quiet as the finger gesture is made, and she looks about for a possible threat. Grabbing for a weapon at her side, looks like a hand axe of chimeric work. And she glances about

Kerri makes a hand-down calming gesture. She whispers, "I just didn't want you to wake a person sleeping in here." She steps outside and closes the door, turning to the girl again. "Welcome to Rivervale. Can I help you?"

"Yes please," The girl says and straighens he back making her look even taller, "My name is Ylva. I am here about the openings in the lodge opening up? In times like these, you don't want to be under trolled. I am a former girl scout, and a former 4-H member. Thus I am trained in many skills even in my mortal side."

Kerri resists the urge to grin. "Welcome, Ylva. Have you traveled far?"

"I had to take a greyhound bus for part of it. Twelve hours... but I rinsed off at a bus bathroom" Ylva looks worried "I hope I'm not in too much disarray?" She definitely straightened her garb and braided her hair all proper before coming here, "If I am, I can find some place to clean up and try again. Oh...two whom am I speaking, please?"

"Please, don't be troubled by it. I'm Kerri, Hearth of the Lodge. Come inside, refresh yourself, and we'll have something to eat. Just please be aware there's a new parent of twins napping on the couch." She brings Ylva inside and directs her to the main floor washroom. "Come to the kitchen when you're ready," she says, indicating the kitchen door.

She wipes her feet, and goes into the wash room "Yes, Hearth." She goes in, and washes off.

Now, Kerri does not eavesdrop, but might hear soft mutterings , excited quiet ones, from Ylva. She is far more exited to be here than she lets on.

Now she does grin. A glance to make sure that Siv is still asleep...and she can just hear Brekke still singing quietly to Franklyn. She goes into the kitchen and gets things ready to offer Ylva some lunch.

Ylva comes in but a few minutes later, cleaner and looking like she feels better for it. "Thank you" She says

"You are quite welcome! Come and sit," she indicates one of the kitchen stools. "What would you prefer for a sandwich? Roast beef, tuna salad, or peanut butter and jelly?"

"Roast Beef would be lovely" She says "Thank you, Hearth. Are you the person I must impress for an in interview"

Kerri sets about making a hearty sandwich. "Well, no interview is necessary for you to be welcome at the Lodge, but I'd certainly like to get to know you better." Soon, lunch is served. "Something to drink? Dr. Pepper tends to be a favorite around here, but we have other options."

"Dr. Pepper would be fine, thank you and...ask away"

(Pause)

And the Dr. is provided.

"So, Ylva, what would you like to tell me about yourself?"

"Well, I mentioned my former girl scout hood, and 4-H membership on my mortal side. On the fae side, I was sained a year and a month ago." She says "I was given odd jobs at a noble hold, and ...thought I would be happier here" Not the entire story, even a non Gwydion can tell. Pride was pricked at that other hold

Well, that's a familiar tale. Kerri tidies up the sandwich-making materials as she asks, "Whereabouts?"

"Indiana" She names the state, not the freehold, "It's not too bad."

But she says not too bad as if TRYING to be the better person

"Definitely a bit of a trip to get here, though. Just so I know -- is anything chasing you that I need to be aware of? You won't get sent away if so. I just want to know if we need to prepare for such a thing."

She admits "In truth, if they knew I was gone I'd be surprised. No, no one should be after me" A frown

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I'm curious...what did you hear about Rivervale that made you feel this would be a better fit? It's still a noble hold, you realize." She takes a seat on a stool opposite and has a bite of the sandwich she made herself. Ylva probably gets the sense that this is too casual to be the actual interview (if there is such a thing).

"I do, but it is also a Troll lodge, some say THE troll lodge. Here, I think I won' t be ... in the way" A frown as she admits it "I AM a childling so I get I won't be put in danger first, but I don't like being seen as a cute little guard in training or a servant girl to show how open minded folks are in having a token troll" A glum look

"It isn't easy," Kerri agrees. "Are you sworn to a House?"

"No ma'am. If I were they mgiht have... no ma'am" she simply says

Well, there's something to find out more about. But later. "Well, then. What do you do for fun, Ylva?"

A smile at that, the first one in a bit "I like animals. And I don't MIND making cookies, but for fun I sometimes play games like hide and seek. I'm good at Uno"

"Oh, I imagine you'll get a number of takers for a good Uno game," Kerri says with a grin. "And it's a good thing you like animals, because we've got several. Dogs, cats, horses -- those are the majority."

"I saw vthe stable" She nods

Kerri nods, and finishes her own sandwich. "How about school? When's the last year you attended?"

"Oh." She is eating hers, "They took me away from my mortal parents when the found me. I had a false name assigned and wwas in school months ago"

"Hmm." She nods slowly. "We'll have to work on something there, getting your records transfered or falsified, one or the other. Fortunately, we have an excellent resource when it comes to managing paperwork. I think you'll enjoy meeting Dame Anne Marie."

"Dame Anne Marie?" Cautiously "Is she nice?" Is she a sidhe is not said

"She's lovely, and extremely capable, and Rivervale couldn't function without her." Let's see how you are at reading subtext, young lady.

She nods cautiously but is not SURE.

Okay. That's sidhe-trauma. "She's got two sons, but they're both much older than you. They've contributed a lot to the Lodge, too." She notes the nearly-gone sandwich and sets out a few cookies for afterwards. "So what do you know about Rivervale besides the fact that it's mostly trolls?"

"It's the home of Chieftain Brekke, Shes a legend who is now retiring. She's not the only heroine here, but the best known. It's Gwydion turf"

Kerri nods. "And you know how a troll lodge is structured?"

"Npt as much as I'd like. I know there is a hearth, storm, and mountain... and each has a different job. But I..." A blush "I don't know the details"