#rivervale_lodge

"Yep." Glum. "I'm sorry, Jaymes."

"It felt like a right fit, and logically it could work, but...."

".... and even with all that said, we can't give up on her."

"Nah, it's okay, Frank. It... give up on her? Hell no. Just because I don't get to be what I want to be for her, doesn't mean w'ere giving up. "

"Olgar and Kerri are ready to talk to her. Brekke and I too. The Wayburtons...."

"Probably work beetter for her in the long run. Kid should have somoene who knows what they're doing"

Frank shrugs. "Can't say that would be me and Brekke. Siv is... different. And I didn't get to raise Jess."

"Huh, well, you sure had influence. I only met her briefly and I could see bits of you in her, not just the blood, but the learning . I think she listened more than you know"

Frank smiles gently. "Lots of Brekke in there too."

'Yeah, Jessica took notes from both of you. You can both be proud"

"We are." Without false humility. "And of Siv."

"Siv's good too," He looks amused by something, "But about as far away from her sister as can be in some ways. Jessica tends towards the practical, Siv never knew a whim she didn't want to see where it led."

Frank sighs heavily. "Yep."

"Dagmar..she's possibly going to lean Jessica , but god she's got dreams. She wants to learn how to wield the lightning so she can be more like Thor. I offered to teach her Skycraft, still will if she wants. She likes using her strength, toughing it out..." Thoughtful, " i wondered if she wanted to go camping, or at least fishing. I mean"

Frank quirks an eyebrow. "I bet she would. And we have a boat."

"Working a river's shore can be just as nice, but yeah, she might like either. I would ask her.."

"But?"

"well, she might see it as some bribe"

He shrugs. "Hell, I offered to take the lemonade in and she acted like I was dropping her on the stoop. I didn't want to push, urge to hard for her to come back in here. Try and take her at her word, you know?" He sighs, shakes his head and scuffs the ground with his sock-toe.

"She's got food issues,w onder if it applies to lemonade? " A frown, "Frank. I know you're a Liam, so trust me when I say you never want me in arm's reach of the people who abused her."

Frank nods. "I understand, and I can respect that. Liam protect mortals, for from mortals come Dreamers.... but we don't have to suffer the Nightmare Creators lightly."

A nod, "Just so you understand where I'm coming from." he looks at the fire and quiets.

"I get it." Without malice.

A nod.

After a long pause. "So. Otherwise. Settling in ok?"

"Yeah." A pause "Mostly."

"Can I help?"

A flicker of a smile "Not this time."

"Well. If you say so." Frank nods again, finishing his coffee. "Probably right."

"I wonder what they're talking about in there?" A glance to the door

Frank shakes his head. "Us?"

"Probably" A shrug "Frank you go on, I think Siv was wanting to ask you about putting a hamock up in her room"

He shrugs. "She knows it's ok to... well, alright. Listen.... let me know if anything happens?" He puts away his mug and with a sense of frustrated failure, heads upstairs.

*King of the Road*

He watchees Frank go, "It's no one's fault, brother from another life" but he doesn't say it loudly. the man miht debate him. Odin knows sFrank likes to talk when he's feeling idealistic.

then he stares back at the fire