#fenixtj

"I'm glad for her... " A smile "And the wilders. I was just tellin the Chief that the wilders didn't really have a leader... not since she left"

"She's going to be in Rivervale for school days and DarkGate in her off-time. It's likely to be a challenge, though." A pause. "You've never seen yourself as a leader among the wilders?"

"Come on, Hearth. For the longest time I had to work hard just to convince every female wilder I was not just a walking hormone. I had pull among the guys, and my gloamings were the shiznit, to use your generations auld lingo... but... I failed a friend, and now I failed a mentor. I'm not sure I'm qualified to herd sheep"

"Wait...wait...because you think you made some mistakes, that invalidates all of the good you have done and could do?"

"I think it invalidates my use at the place I've damagged yes."'

"If you think it's not acceptable for the Mountain to feel that way, it's not acceptable for you to feel that way. Zane, Rivervale is fine. It is not damaged. We are undergoing a minor change, and Frank is returning to a lifestyle that he loves and, I think, misses."

"It would appear the Mounntain feels how he feels even when otthers think he's wronng. I would hope I'm allowed the same courtesy?"

Kerri sighs. "You are infuriating sometimes, Zane."

"Yeah" he sighs "I stir passions in women, just the wrong sort. Really, Hearth. What does the Lodge NEED me for? you have plennty who know various magics, other satyrs are better at music, I'm not even Bronze medal in the Wizard Olympics and Sylvi is the one you need for leadership. My loss will be no loss"

"We like you, you bonehead!" Kerri says with a wry grin. "It's not all about usefulness. And even if it were all about your contributions, you have contributed much good over time. Your vision is terribly short-sighted at the moment, Zane. But you seem absolutely determined."

a bit of a smile "Well, I may have picked up some bad habbits at the lodge." A scratch of his chin, is his peach fuzz turning into true facial hair? "How about I promise to visit Rivervale to talk to Sylvi and let you have aother crack at me at the heart of your power? But you both have to respect my final choices"

"I'll agree with that, of course. And if you decide to leave still, you're still welcome back at any time. But I'm going to have to insist that you visit your parents. Your mother has been very worried about that letter you left, and I promised her I'd figure out where you were and check on you."

A wince "Had to break out that huh? Okay.. okay. I'll call her tonight and when I give Sylvi her shot at me I'll drop by"

"I'm just being truthful," she shrugs with false innocence.

"Incidentally, I'm not sure whether or not Sylvi knows about how you're feeling about Rivervale right now. You might be surprising her with that."

A frown "Well, I promised her I'd talk but.. I don't mean to add to her load"

A deep breath. "Zane, I'm only guessing...but I think talking with friends would be something that eases her load, not adds to it."

"Oh heck, knowing Sylvi she's a bit torn up about creating distance between her and Colton. I'll talk to him , pretty sure he'll do tthe right thing and put a brave face on if he hasn't already. But ... well, I guess you don't need told this? But after you give her the hugs and such? Either you or the Chief should give her some work and responsibilities. It's the difference between going home just for your own sake, and going home because you're not just wanted, but needed. Spoil her for the the first day sure, but pamper her too long or act like she's fraggile and she'll feel like dirt. I.. sorry, I'm speakinng as a wilder peer, tryinng to say something a parent might miss"

She grins. "See, there's that wisdom I was talking about. Yes, I think we've got something in mind, but I don't want to say too much right now." She stands. "I should be getting back."

He rises and blushes at the wisdom comment "Glad you've got it covered. I'll walk you to the trod... load you down with some more churros for the kids" A smile

"Oh, my bete-noir!" she chuckles. "I wasn't prepared today, but I'm going to send a load of Danishes as a retaliatory strike."

"This is a conflict where everyone's a winner. Heck, Jessica will protest and love it. " And soon, a bag of churros is handed off to the Hearth, as she plans her 'counter attack ' annd Zane wishes her well

"Let me know when you're coming for that visit, Zane. And don't let it be too long from now, okay?"

"I'll probably be there tomorrow in fact" he nods

"I'm not sure if Sylvi will be there then. She won't be returning on a regular basis until school starts. But we'll see."

"Eiher way I'll keep you posted. Honest"

"Good. Take care, Zane."

"You too." they part.

She vanishes through the trod door.

Zane walks back to the spa, and looks at the three scantily clad wilder girls "Sorry about that. It's the Hearth, if you knew her, you'd understand you don't shrug her off. It's like blowing off a cross between Hestia and Athena, such behavior on my part would be unworthy of me, and so very very unwise"

"Awww..." One Wilder girl pulls him close "You're a good boy arenn't you?"

"It's my curse" he smiles and lets her help him remove the robe

(End Scene)