#rivervale_lodge

Kerri hasn't had to do such a frantic recovery cleaning in a while. Of course, others helped, but it was a LOT. She sits and enjoys a glass of wine in the kitchen.

There is a knock at the door, Echo wags. He knows whoever it is

If it's the kitchen door, she simply says "Come in!" without rising from the chair. A knock on the front door will require she get up.

She has to get up, argh

A sigh, and she hauls herself up out of the chair. She leaves her wine glass on the counter and straightens out her hair a bit as she approaches the door. By the time she opens it, she looks every bit the Chieftain/Hearth that people know.

And she sees the Lodge's emissary /ambassador to the Caer Falken Court; the raven winged boggan Lucia... and she's carrying bags!

"Lucia! Here, let me help you," reaching for some of the bags.

"I request asylum and haven for three days, Chieftain" She allows the bags to be taken, it's a lot for a boggan even one who does regular sword practice to carry "Please?"

Given her family has a rather nice house not even a full six miles awaay this maybe a surprise

Kerri pauses and blinks, surprised. "Of...of course! Come in, quickly!" She looks past her, assuming there's some sort of pursuit or threat.

There is not, yet she moves in hastily "They'll know I came here I'm sure. I'm sorry about that"

Kerri closes the door. "Redcaps? Yule Boys?"

"Oh? No.. uhm my parents" She says "I got the 'our roof our rules ' speech, and so I'm solving that problem"

"I...oh!" She relaxes visibly, and moves to set the bags near the stairs. "Oh, Lucia, I'm sorry. I didn't know you and they were clashing."

"I had thought the matter resolved" She says, and her raven wings fluff, "They I should quit working as a representative for Rivervale and it was time to do 'work of substance'... and by that they mean the restaurant."

"Sit down and let me get you something to drink before we talk more."

Kerri knows Lucia's preference of drink, and soon enough Lucia has that drink at hand as Kerri sits down nearby.

She does and when the drink is in hand and butts are in chair the boggan says "Thank you"

"I honestly didn't realize they were feeling that the Emissary work was a problem."

"I think they thought it was a phase I'd grow out of. I like it though, there's so much nuance to be explored at Court, and the work I do is important. I mean... part of the reason the transition with a change of Chiefs went relatively smoothly is because I helped. I'd like to think so anyway, pardon me fishing for a compliment there but I DO believe it. I didn't go to the college they wanted on top of it. And I've not found a 'nice boggan boy'.. so I guess I'm three strikes here"

Kerri sighs. "I'm sorry. I know this sort of thing can be difficult. But I do want to assure you that you're absolutely right. Your presence and work has made the transition much smoother than it might have been otherwise, and I probably don't thank you for that enough."

"You absolutely have the three-day. And we will figure out what happens next."

"Oh boggans are weird about being thanked anyway" She admits "But it's good. ANd you're welcome. And THANK you for the room. I know it can be crowded. I can stay at the lake house if you prefer. I THINK my parents will still respect the haven there"

"I hope anyway" She sips her drink, clearly miserable but resigned

"Well, I think we might be able to find you space here. You said they don't know that you were coming here?"

"I think they'll figure it out , and gossip will fly" she says "So if they don't already they will soon"

Some noise outside - the dogs barking at footsteps. But that is a "welcome someone familiar" bark, vs a "stranger!" alert.

"Well, you might not like this, but I think you should let them know that you're safe."

Kerri turns to check out the window for who's coming.

Indeed, Echo is not as easy going as Oak was when Oak was here, but he still loves people.

"Guess whoever it is putting something away?"

Dagmar stamps the snow off her boots outside the door.

"Yeah yeah, good Echo."

"Anyway, no I don't like it... but your'e right. I'll text them" SHe says and puts her drink down to do so

"Hello, Dagmar," Kerri says from her seat near Lucia.

The wilder enters, cheeks a touch flushed from a patrol out in the elements. "Hey Kerri. Lucia."

Kerri looks at Lucia. "Are you sure a text is the right way to go? Grumps sometimes prefer to hear a voice."

She beelines for the coffee. Mmm. Warm beverage.

"What's the current Yule Lad situation?" she asks Dagmar.

"If I hear a voice I'll get trapped forever" She winces then looks up "Hey, Dagmar. I'm going to be here for at least 3 days... or the Lakehouse whichever"

"Gerd and I sent the Door-Sniffer flying. For what it's worth? They're here because you have one hell of an impressive reputation." A snort-grin. "Cauldronkeeper."

Brow? "Somethin' wrong, Lucia?"

"Cauldronkeeper?" A smile at that, then looks to the Chief "I love it. It suits you on so many levels."

"They're...what?"

"I mean, yes, it has a ring to it, but why are they here because of me?"

"Apparently, you have the best food in Apples."

"Oh, for the love of the Dreaming." A gesture of frustration. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't."

"And because of that, all the food in the Barony is better because you hold the fire."

Lucia blinks , she was about to answer a question about something being wrong but she muses on this news of food better

"They aren't interested in food being freely offered, though." She rolls her eyes. "So we're stuck with harrying them."