#rivervale_lodge

"Wait," A voice says "You DON'T want me to cook more or even clean?" Lucia's voice can be heard from the kitchen

"Absolutely not," Squire Brogan says with more authority than he probably possesses "Even is welcome in the kitchen to cook for themselvesk, and for tasks the Baroness gives them, but she's a right to do SOME cooking and it soothes her."

The baroness in question is currently shopping for ingredients for a new recipe experiment.

"And as for cleaning, well... we need to spread that out some anyway." Brogan says "Or she'll get worried one or two people are doing all the work. "

Lucia tilts her head "You're just about the only one who calls her baroness."

'Not when she's present, she prefers Chief, but she IS a baroness so" he shrugs

"Does she know how much you adore her?" The boggan wilder asks

The boy flushes "EVERYONE adores the Baroness. Except for tasteless churls and idiotic malcontents."

A smile "So she doesn't know" The boggan says

"Did I mention my House is the VENGEFUL one?" The boy says crossly

"Only every other conversation, but okay okay" She holds up her hands in a peace gesture

"My point is," She goes on "That it's nice how you look after her well being, and she doesn't even know. She's gonna come back here, and still be able to try her new Recipe without feeling redundant or like she's JUST the Chief. You're a good squire."

"Well," He hurumphs "OBVIOUSLY I am. " Sidhe pride excells

"But of course. All right, what CAN I do to help ?" She asks

"Well... okay, how do you feel about cleaning bathrooms? Here and at the lake house?" Brogan says

"LOathe it, but so does the Chief so I'll do it" She offers

"You're a trooper" The squire says, in truth he didn't want to do it either

Lucia suspects just that, and goes to get the gear

The sounds of Kerri pulling into the driveway and parking can be heard, and a few minutes later she's coming in through the back door into the kitchen, carrying a few reusable bags stuffed to the gills.

And there's Brogan "Hello, Chief. We're a bit behind on Dinner plans" Apologetic "At least I am."

"Oh! Well, no problem, Squire. Most of this is for a project, but I'm not going to start it right away. Tell me what you've got started while you help me put these things away, and I'll help figure out the rest."

If she suspects that Brogan is behind on dinner plans on purpose, she doesn't give any indication.

"Well, if you like I thought a BBQ Pizza, homemade. IT seems the Storm and Mountain both like it"

"Sounds like a good idea, and it scales well to serve a lot as long as you've got enough dough prepared. Are we in good shape for that?"

"Yes, in fact" He nods "Got the quality stuff, though umm" He pauses "I don't think we can count on Lucia's parents to donate us anymore like they often did"

Kerri sighs. "No, you're probably right about that. And that's fine. Means we can hone our skills. But I really ought to go over there and visit them. I don't want there to be a rift that makes them feel they can't turn to the Lodge in times of need."

"Mmmph, you're kinder than I, Chieftain. If they want a fight with Rivervale they'll lose"

"I don't think it's a matter of kind as much as a matter of duty to the people. They have different expectations for a member of their family than we would like them to have. I don't think that equates to, say, somebody lobbing a Molotov cocktail through one of our windows."

"Well, no" He says "Though if they tried that I'd lob THREE through theirs .. you know what they say, three eyes for an eye and you you can't find a third take what ever body part looks close enough"

Daireann proverbs are kind of fucked up

"Hadn't heard that one. Well, do me a favor, Brogan -- if you feel the need to avenge the honor of the Lodge or myself, please check with me first?"

"Of course, Chieftain" he sighs "I am used to trolls being kill joy prone"

"We're terrible that way, yes." She gives him a wink. "Now, do you want me to help with the pizzas?"

"Actually, if you would?" he says "I can't get the fancy edge on the crust like you do quite yet"

"It takes practice. Keep trying. So, we'll start with the dough, like this...." And she shows him how to do something that he's already pretty good at. Again, if she suspects what he's doing, she doesn't let on.

(Fade to dough lessons)