#rivervale_lodge

"I don't trust her to not burn bridges to someone who might one day be crucial to protecting Gerd. " Vali says not fazed. "And if someone were making Siv unwelcome in what you might one day need to be open to her, you might feel the same way. "

"Siv had Jessica. For that matter, you know, so does Gerd."

He nods "Frank. Jessica is doing a good job, but she's not equipped to protect against some things. "

"If you have to send Gerd away.... that's why you chose the Countess. You think she can protect Gerd in the event that the forces opposing Dagmar and the others .... "

He frowns "Frank, has it occured to you that it's not just about their destinies? Other threats will rise while WE are here...and if they die during that..." A shake of his head, "You can't possibly understand. The point is. Chief is..well, being rude to the Countess. It makes Gerd less likely to be welcomed at what i was hoping would be a haven. You can't see that why worries me? That two women I both admire and respect can't get along for 20 minutes?"

Frank takes a deep breath.

"Then help me understand. I hope I have never shied away from understanding."

"I tried to help you understand. You got defensive at the idea of anyone not trusting the chief. " he reminds "Frank.You love her, she's your wife, and your chieftain ,adn she's a damned hero more times over than any other troll I know. But your'e also her mountain, her advisor. If you think I'm wrong and that she should be making threats in the halls of freeholders IN their freeholders to those freeholders...then confusing to me. But... just as protective she is of Siv. I am of Gerd. And... I think that's been lost on you two, or at least it feels like it to me."

Frank shakes his head. "Vali, I don't think she -did- threaten the Countess. But, that's a question for you to ask her."

"It is, "He sighs "And maybe i'm being unfair. I'm...tense. Frank. Very tense. The girls going on a spin? I did not See it coming, not even a bit. And it was ultimately my fault. But other visions I can share...and... I'm just.." A deep breath "I'm trying to be more serious, keep things going. I never let my jokes get in the way of things, but I am actually behind on pranks. I'm never behind on pranks. I feel like I'm knotted, tangled. Tiffany visits, but not enough for my liking. And ...some folks are going to get hurt and I can't talk about itt or I'll make it worse. I start to talk to you , and Connor shows up.I ccan't open up, I can't relax. I can't unwind."

"Pranks? Vali, you're not a pooka."

"Pooka own the day, but I've always enjoyed a bit of humor at least I used to. High and Mid summer aren't just for pooka you know?" He sighs "Nevermind. Maybe I just need to get a massage"

"Hmphm." He claps the boy on the shoulder. "Maybe you do. Maybe once you do, you can explain to me what I don't understand. I -get- that there are forces at work, beyond any hope of our control, on our girls. I understand that. And, that there are things you can't tell us and Vali? I don't blame you for that. I'm the -last- person that would."

"Thank you, Frank. " The young mansays " I wish I could word it better."

"We all do. That is..." He hastens "... we all wish we had better words."

"Frank. One thing I can tell you ... if you find the bug in the Pine, leave it be. It's got a destiny"

"The bug in the pine." He repeats carefully, and with a questioning eyebrow.

"I'm not being that cryptic, it's just what i saw."

"It'll be gold" He adds

Frank nods. "I will tell Brekke. A gold bug, in a pine."

"Thanks. " He says

Frank nods. He takes a moment, looking around the yard, shed, and building.

There are pines. It's new Jersey

"I'll also tell her you've secured your magical tools."

"Thanks. Siv and Dagmar are good kids. Not my place to tell you two or Jaymes about punishment, but I hope it's on the easy side. "

"Rope duty on the Kestrel."

"Rope Duty? Ugh. I hated rope duty"

Part of Frank's beard reveals a curved mouth. "Exactly. And it's July, in New Jersey."

He laughs "Well, if anyone can do it with a smile it's Siv, but the point will be made."

"One hopes." He sighs.

"I'm afraid , as I went to high sea adventures and such as a childliing any attempts I play to tell them to stay home and be good are going to ah..flop"

Frank nods. "Like if I tried to tell them not to be crusaders."

"Afraid it does all come around doesn't it? You learn the hard way, but because of the way you learned, they think what you learned doesn't mean as much"

He shakes his head. "They think what you learned doesn't mean as much, because they have not done the learning yet."

"Mm that too" He admits "Then, later, they say 'you could have told me' and... you kind of want to put your head through a wall"

Frankn nods. "Or sometimes, theirs."

"Yeah well, I won't lie. Seeing the heaches your getting, I'm starting to think 'it's never too soon to build a dungeon'"

"Or a tower." Another sigh.

"I've seen Siv on the roof. She's try to climb down the tower"

"True."

"Oh, Frank? Who is Bancroft and why does Siv seem to complain about him but also go on and on about him?"

His instant scowl is thunderous. "A thane in service to Baron Kealan. She met him at a party there."

"So some troll guy?" Curious "Wait, why does she call him a pointy earred jerk?"

"He's not a troll. She's a bit Sidhe-struck." One might think that he's edited that last comment before letting it out of his mouth.

A smile threatens to crawl across vali's face

Frank's expression is not at -all- humorous.

And the smile dies , it was a mercy killing

"So, you want me to ask around about this Bancroft guy?" An offer

"No. Siv wouldn't appreciate it and besides, if we ignore him maybe he'll go away. Not that it's worked with Sidhe so far."

"I don't know, been awhile since Magnus has asked for a therapy session" THAT he can smile about