#anywhere

He shakes his head. "I've been wanting to ask you since last (Samhain? backdate to when he spied her Dictum-ing a werewolf Lupita at a dance). I just never got the chance. And I MEAN it. This... " A hand caressing the book once more. "Is more important than things I might think I saw."

A deep breath, thinking carefully. "Symon...you have asked me to oversee the availability of one art. If I knew the other that you suggest...it's one I wouldn't share readily. It's far too easy to abuse."

"But...let me think on how I might help. As it is...let us put that book away."

And unless he objects, the book goes into that cabinet. No, it's not completely secure, but it's a rare person who might dare violate the Hearth's kitchen boundaries. Well, the rare person plus Gerd.

He nods, and lets her lock the book away. “I can come study it here though, right?”

"Yes, absolutely."

He watches her lock it away, and relaxes a little. "And... you know, I did mean it, right? I might be a weasley little sh... sluagh, but the Lodge is mine, too. If it's stronger, we're all stronger, like."

She looks back at him and nods with a grin. "It is. And we are. I thank you for knowing that, and for being willing to contribute to that."

"Just don't mention it, okay? You'd ruin my reputation. Just like I don't mention to anyone that Dirk's gone soft for you lot. But in his case, it might be deadly." Solemn again for a moment.

A sigh. "You see it, too? Yes, I'm worried for him."

"If it helps at all, I get him in trouble at home. " A pause, and he rephrases. "That is, I tell Ann Marie about all the terrible shit he does, so that she can complain about it to her friends and how she works so hard but. it's like he's TRYING to be a lost cause. I can tell she knows, though, because he never REALLY gets punished. Grounded, but he has to help out with the groceries, or he rakes the lawn and then gets extra pie..."

"It may come down to having to defend him, if it gets too obvious. Symon, if he's being threatened by others of his kith, don't hesitate to tell me, please."

He nods. "I wouldn't. He puts his ars- his back on the line being Peacekeeper (or whatever the title Dirk got here!) for the Lodge - and I know you'd owe it to him to do the same." He surely means that he trusts the Lodge's loyalty.... but leave it to an Unseelie to phrase it that way.

"He has served the Lodge and barony well. I wouldn't leave him hanging if he were in need." Kerri nods.

"I know. And I'm sure he appreciates it, even if he doesn't really say it." They are talking about Dirk right?

"I believe so." She glances at the cauldron that Dirk has asked to leave here.

"Is it Okay if I tell Ann Marie about the cauldron? She works her fingers to the bone practically for this one soup kitchen. If she could come by, maybe once a month, I bet Dirk would help haul the stuff back. Once a month, maybe is seldom enough not to be noticed, but make a difference..."

"Oh, certainly. Dirk was going to, and he might have done so already. Yes, she's had a lot already, and this would help all of us."

He nods, and heads to the door. "Uh, thanks again. For identifying, and everything."

"Symon, are you sure you do not wish any food?"

He eyes the tupperware, having forgotten about it. "We-ell.... your pie DOES age very well."

"A high compliment. Enjoy." She offers over the container. "And you should perhaps head home. Anne Marie has been worried. Of course."

"Of course." He says, with a roll of his eyes, but a small smile. "See ya." And he heads out, cracking the container to take a whiff and sighing happily at the sour smell that Kerri just gets a waft of as he leaves.

She nods with satisfaction, then eyes that cabinet speculatively for a few moments.

Mmm there's .. no sense of influence or pull..beyond, her own

The Centerpiece... the connector. It's flattering..and, true

And now, no longer the Chieftain... or at least, once those two re-emerge. And that is good. All went well.

Arthek is a great warrior, but even by his own admission, Kerri is his equal as a hearth... perhaps greater. And she is not a warrior. She can learn that art, or decide perhaps who should. And will be no less.

Perhaps it's winter's positive influence, but the fact she is the shizznit to use an outdated term, is sitting well with her

And for that matter, who is to say only one should learn that art? Properly chosen, many could serve the Lodge well with that strength at their disposal. And she can make those choices.

Yes. Yes indeed.

Her husband texts her.

A startled blink as her phone buzzes. She takes it out and looks at the text.

TXT: You, me. Spa or hot tub, cold beer. Maybe Shoulder or footrubs (WIth me as ruber, u as Rubeee) interested?

She grins and texts back. TXT: Name the place, I'll meet you there. Warm up your hands.

The next text names the place, and a hint of other things he's willing to warm up when she gets there.

Kerri waits until the Storm and Mountain re-emerge, puts in a quick notice to SallyMae to be on standby if possible if anything should go horribly wrong, also notifies Brogan, but then she's off-duty, and happily so.

Sally Mae is happy to be free of family, she loves them much but whew. So yes, standby.

And a well deserved 'rub' for our Hearth

(End scene)