#rivervale_lodge

"Oh, that's part of the process. Just wait until they start shoving things up their noses."

Jonas ponders this, then looks at the babies in the playpen "Son, Daughter. Do not put things up your noses. It is bad." Then he looks at Kerri and the others "There, settled."

"Noses?! Isn't it enough that they are sticking fingers up MY nose?!"

Valr reaches for her nose at this. "Buh!" He says, helpfully.

"Well, I didn't say others peoples noses... so you may still be at risk, dear," Jonas tells Piper

A tap on a window, Olgar calls in "You want me to set up the grill yet?"

"You mean you haven't yet?" Kerri calls back with false urgency. She throws a wink in Piper's direction.

Once the apples are sliced, Symon lays them out in delicate scalloping on the puff pastry, topping a smear of fig jam. His nose wrinkles slightly in distaste, but his deft hands make quick and concise work of the task.

"Doing it right now" Olgar says and gets to work "And tell Piper I've got some Mushroom 'burgers' prepped or will"

"Nice slicing" Siv tells Symon even as she helps

Dagmar is keeping an eye on Siv and Sy, as well as basting the roast when it's due.

"Oh man. Sounds good. But.. will Frank be doing any grilling, or is that improper at his own send-off?" Piper inquires. "Your mushroom burgs are great, but he has a way with impossible mince that can't be beat. Tastes better than the real moo."

Kerri mutters to Piper, "Oh, you're just trying to stir up trouble, aren't you?"

"Et tu, Piper?" A wounded sound from outside "I GOT This."

Then a little louder, "I'd prefer if Frank could relax and enjoy this...but his definition of 'relax and enjoy' might involve competitive girlling. We'll see."

Piper gives Kerri a faux injured look. "I'm going to miss Frank's grilling, is all."

A slight grin though.

"Make sure you tell him that. Maybe he'll share his secrets with you."

"Not with ME. Ye gods, I would burn the barony down." Piper holds up her hands!"

"Jonas, maybe?"

Jonas arches a brow "I'd be honored at any lessons Frank felt a desire to pass down, of course."

In the kitchen, Siv pauses in her work for a moment as talk of her father's grilling being a much rarer thing reaches her ears.

The kitchen door opens, and in comes Sylvi carrying a basket of peaches and plums. "Hey, all!"

"Sylvi!" Piper squeals. "Ooooh! Are those fresh peaches! Oh Em Gee, they're in season now?" She bounces excitedly, and the babes squeal in turn, picking up on her enthusiasm.

A little squint at babysqueal.

"Yup! Just got them at the U-pick outside of town. Gimme a second to rinse them off."

"Hey Dagmar, hey Symon," she says with a smile as she squeezes in at the sink. "Siv, is that Riskrem? I haven't had that in a while."

"Dagmar suggested it" Siv gives credit

"Smart." Sylvi goes about rinsing the fruit and arranging it in a couple of large bowls.

Kerri has taken a few minutes to pick up each baby for a snuggle. "I better bring the meat out to Olgar. The grill won't be ready yet, but he can always use the additional pressure," she says with a bit of mischief.

Jonas arches a brow at the pressure comment, then glances to Piper "i'm not always sure she's a good role model for you and Siv"

Piper wiggles Valr's chunky thighs up at Kerri. "If you run out of meat, this boy is packin' a pair of christmas hams."

"Yes, he's very bite-able," Kerri agrees as she heads to the kitchen.

"Hey, Mom," Sylvi says, and she gets a side-hug from Kerri while still working at the sink. Then the Hearth is out the door with the platter of things-to-grill.

Once she's gone, Sylvi asks, "Is she in freak-out mode yet?"

"Yes."

"Just, y'know - being a troll about it. Aren't we all?"

Siv sighs "Was I fooling anyone?"

A blink at Siv. "I was talking about Mom."

Symon whispers, "No."

"At least, not me." He amends.

"Siv, no offense, you've been in freak-out mode for months."

"We are gonna do this, for Chief and Frank."

Carefully scattering shredded cheese atop the pastry after Dagmar has added the onions.

Sylvi nods agreement with Dagmar.

"I know, but she said 'aren't we all' so I figured I got figured out too." THen a smile at Symon, "Used to not being to hide much from you, Sy. Glad you're back by the way"

"Because we want them to have a good send off, and we care about them, and, well, I dunno, we'll fall apart a bit after, pick ourselves up, and keep going."

"Aye" Siv nods "So today, i am all smiles" And she plasters one up on her face

"Hey, not just for them, though. The Lodge and the barony need it, too. I mean, we can be sad, but...it's not a tragedy or something."

A soft scoff. "Siv, that's your worst disguise yet."