#rivervale_lodge

It is an unsual sight to see Vali of all folks, hitting a bottle hard. He pours himself another shot of something hard and doesn't seem to much care what it is.

There was yelling earlier, not from him, Bug Gerd. It was hard to make out all the words, but Vali was clearly the recipient and target.

Frank is heralded by the crunch of gravel. He shoulders the door open carefully to hang up his jacket and hat, and toe off his boots.

Vali hears the dogs shuffle, and watches them wag, a sign that it's family...then Frank comes in, and the knight of Beaumayn raises a shot glass and puts it down.

"Hello..... Vali?" Curious.

"Heya Frank" Vali says, "Pardon me. I'm a few sheets... that's a dangerous word to use right not, sheeeets, to the wind"

"So I see." He rumbles. "Why?"

"Because apparently either I'm grossly incompetent or I let people die for some big picture." He pours another "At least that's what my niece told me. I didn't save her parents. I didn't save Kelby. So... I suck. Because I'm the one who sees in the future...or am supposed to be able to."

Frank sighs and gets two mugs of coffee before taking a seat with Vali and putting one in front of him. "You agree?"

"Let's just say I have had to hold what I've seen back for the bigger picture before, that's true. And other times? Bad things happened to people I cared about and I never saw it coming. So... maybe? Gerd..wow, she really tore into me. She did not take mother's day well..and tonight she just let loose."

"Vali.... it's time Gerd and I talked. And time for you to start letting go. It won't be easy but.... it's time." Kindly.

Vali stares into his glass, "Uhm.. she's my family. You of all people I did not expect to tell me to let go of family"

"Let go of the childling." He clarifies gently.

"Ah" He says "For a moment I thought..." A glance at that glass "nevermind what I thought. You think it's closing on her togail? She's still so young though"

Brb

"She is, Vali. And she been through a lot. That can bring it sooner."

"Damn it" He says "I wanted to... I hoped she'd get to be a KID here, you know? She likes it here. At least, she did"

"I am sure she still does but soon it might be hard to tell. Adventures and all. She on owe she has family and support here."

"I appreciate you guys taking us back in." He says "I mean, I know it would never occur to you NOT to, but still.." He takes a drink "I don't know. I had offers at other holds, but she wasn't ready for me to leave. I wasn't ready." A sigh "And now, geezus. I would rather fight an ogre in a mudpit full of razor blades than hear her cut loose on me again. The ogre razor situation would hurt less."

Frank sigh in shared fatherhood. "I know. You weren't here before Jessica left. I botched that badly. It wasn't pretty. I regret it everyday. Now, She's not here, close, where I can see her.... but we talk, she accepts our help, and she is happy."

"Oh? Did Jessica ever really tear into you? I mean..verbally?"

"Oh yes." Grimly. "Her mother and I did not part on good terms and Jessica got some of that. Enough of it."

"Ouch" A sympathetic look, "Sympathies . You're right, I wasn't here for that. At least you can be proud knowing Jessica is...well, she's a badass herself...and a kind heart. A very admirable combo." A sigh "I Hope Gerd ends up that good."

"She will." Utter and serene confidence. "Maybe better."

"Now who's the prophet?" Vali smiles weakly and takes another shot, but slower this time, sipping

Frank drinks his coffee "Vali, she has you.... us.... here.... and the Hornshield."

"Vegard is a memory... okay, a part of her soul, but it might be a bit much to ask grandpa to contribute just a bit more, don't you think?"

"Yes." Dry. "He earned a rest."

"Man I miss him." A sigh "he'd know what to do"

Then a slur 'Sorry, Frank, your advice is right. I know that. Just.well. I miss him"

"Brother....." Frank is in whole-hearted solidarity.

"He'd have some coffee." The grump opines.

"Ha, yeah. He used to say coffee was the magic stuff that let you hold off the morning rush, and then after you drank it it helped you rush through the morning. I never really was as into it as he or the Chief or you... sidhe influence no doubt" A smile

"No doubt." Kindly. "I got some for you, though. Or water?"

"Hint taken" He finishes off the last of this shot, and puts the top back on the bottle, "Water is fine. "

Frank gets him some.

"Having a hangover wont help deal with Gerd, will it?"

"I wasn't using the booze to help with Gerd, Frank. I was using it because I wanted to be a bit numb in the here and now. " He drinks the water slowly, "But obviously.." he blinks a bit "no... it wouldn't help with Gerd. Not sure what will except maybe to let her know it's probably time sooner than she'd like. "

"Like you said" He gives credit where it's due.

Frank nods.

"She has black fingernail polish, did you know that? " He sighs "Since when does she start wearing black fingernail polish?"

"Vali, I know your gift of prophecy isn't like a light switch, and I'm sure your House has meditation and other techniques to help with it but please don't think I begrudge you a break from it." Sympathetically

A chuckle
"She's becoming a wilder."

"Sylvi became a wilder. I dont' recall black nail polish" He sighs "And.. thanks about the prophecy bit. I...it's not a thing I can avoid no. Eventually one comes."

"Sylvi has a boyfriend." He points out.

A grunt "Yeah. I'm not Gerd's father, but I am hoping she holds off boys for awhile even in her early wilderhood."

"You're the closest thing she's got, Vali." Mildly.

"Yeah, close but not close enough to give her much comfort judging by the disappointment I've been to her so far" a drink of water "But she's stuck with me, whether she likes it or not. "

"You just defined 'family.'"

"mm I suppose I did. Aren't I clever?" A weak smile "YEah, that is what it boils down to, isn't it? She's stuck with me because whether she wants to admit it or not, she needs me, and I care about her. And I need her, because she's special, not to a prophecy, but me. Thanks Frank." The buzz is diminishing "For what it's worth, I think you've been a good dad under some very trying or flta out weird conditions"