#rivervale_lodge

Kerri thinks about that a moment before responding, "I don't think I thought about it that way. A crisis had been brought to me. I am the Hearth, this is my Lodge, I needed to fix the danger. It was not meant as a vote of no confidence. I was doing my job as best I saw it."

Kerri and Vali might recognize Gerd is showing some Vegardisms. It's possible that Kerri is missing that Gerd is borrowing some Kerirsm

She hasn't looked away from Vali, not budged an inch. Stubborn.

Vali isn't exactly blinking.

"SO you think Uncle Vali is fine as a parent figure? yes or no? I'm not asking for a an PLus on him" Gerd says

Another pause. "I...do not always see him that way, no. Not because I think he is bad at it...but because he has always been Young Vali to me. That is not fair, and I'll admit that, but it was not part of why I did what I did."

"That you know of anyway, so again, conciously, neither of you meant insult." Gerd says

"That's ...true" Vali sighs "But the 'young vali' thing is kind of a pain in the butt.. and maybe a sorepoint for me" he admits

"And I understand that. But I am Hearth. I've been Hearth for a long time, now. If you want to tell me I don't know how to do my job, you'd better be ready to back that up." She's not much mollified.

"Ditto on the MY KID bit" he says

Gerd suddenly understand why in a past life there was the occasional lake dunk of folks

Gerd looks ready to say something.

A frown. "You are blaming me for not telling you as soon as you'd like. I told you as soon as I was certain and you and I were in the same location. If you'll recall, there were a few busy days leading up to the Togail, and I was working with Anne Marie to determine the facts of the matter." She turns to Gerd. "I'm sorry, Gerd, that I had to do that, but you understand...you weren't being very communicative."

"Okay.. did Vali actually say you didn't know how to do your job? or did he tell you to tell him first next time? Because you may see it as the same ,but I don't think he does..." Gerd says "And Uncle Vali, am I right about that?"

"I never said she sucked as a Hearth or didn't know her job, not once" Vali said "It would be assinine"

"Subtext is a thing, Vali. And everything you've said has been with a singular message: you don't trust my decisions as Hearth."

A sigh. "Gerd, thank you, but I don't think there's much to be done here. And that bread is almost ready..." She turns towards the door to go back in.

"Stop it" Gerd says "You need to listen both of you"

Gerd looks at Kerri, "Subtext goes two ways... and if you've been sending signals all this time that he's 'young vali' then he's got a right to be miffed for being sidelined... and he might even be right that if someone did this to you and uncle Olgar about Sylvi you'd be upset or hurt. And I am pretty sure the Chief would be very cross if she wasn't told of Siv in an eating disorder until you decided it was okay for her to learn. If you didn't realize you were sending out messages of disrespect all this time and THEN you treated him like not a parent... then you should realize it's possible he's sending out subtext and didn't know it too..and understand"

"And YOU, Uncle Vali, " She turns "I I know you are used to sidhe things... but you agreed to be in a troll lodge. SHe's not a fellow knight..which is how you think of her first. First, she's HEARTH... and you need to think of her that way"

Kerri stops and listens.

"I..." Vali stops "I guess I do think of her as a fellow knight first" He admits "Like I think of the Chief as abaroness"

"I have already admitted it is unfair to think of him as young."

"But did you apologize for the misunderstanding? EITHER of you? You can say it's not a real apology if you want, but you din't even do that"

Gerd says with a sigh

Then a sharp look at Vali. "As a knight, I am your equal. But as Hearth, I have greater authority here. Do you understand that?" Tense. This, apparently, is the sore spot for her.

Vali says "I do. Do you understand that I am, Gerd's father and Guardian and when it comes to how she is raised and her growth continuesI the final say as much as any parent? "

"as any parent in the lodge" Gerd says

"FINAL say, absolutely. But this was crisis. I did what I, as Hearth, felt was necessary at the moment. And I told you as soon as I saw you after I was certain about what was going on. But...fine...in the future, I will be certain to delay until you may be consulted."

"As any parent in the lodge" he agrees. "And... I DO apologize. I was upset, and maybe more butt hurt than I realizzed... but I respect you as a Hearth and all you do. I never meant to sound ungrateful"

Gerd wipes at her brow

A pause. "I cannot apologize for doing what I felt was right. But I can say that I will be more aware of your role as parent, not just as young Vali. You are not so young as all that now, and have not been for some time."

Gerd sighs "You can't even apologize for misunderstan..."

Vali holds up a hand to Gerd, "It's okay ,Gerd. This isn't a tit for tat thing. I prefer honesty...and I definitely appreciate the effort"

"Gerd, I am not sure that I did misunderstand. Not at all. But I will admit the part that I earned, and I have done that."

Then he holds out a hand to Kerri, "So we're good? Is my apology accepted? or do I need to make further amends."

A slight pause, and then Kerri grips his hand. "Apology accepted. Nothing further needed." She lets go, and adds, "I'm still a bit stung, Vali, to be honest. And I think you are as well. I don't expect things to go back to normal right away...or ever, since 'normal' was you thinking of me as a knight and me thinking of you as young. There will be a new normal...but it might take time."

"She's right" He looks to Gerd, "I never really fully got into my heart, even if I got it into my head, that things were that different between a lodge and a 'typical' noble hold. I treat Frank like a Seer and consort to the baroness, the chief as the baroness.. and you? Like a fellow knight with specific duties... not in my head... my head got it, but habit.. and habit doesn't do you proper justice. I will continue to work on that for not just you but the others as well"

And the shake is firm and sincere.

"That, Sir Vali, is all I can ask. Now...excuse me. The bread." she explains, and goes back inside.

"No problem. ANd Hearth, tell your husband I get it now, please" He calls out.

Whatever 'it' is he doesn't say

Gerd looks relieved

A curious glance back at that, but a nod, and then she's gone inside.

"You guys are exhausting" Gerd mutters and walks past Vali

Vali smiles fondly "Sorry about that. You know old people like us."

She waves off and goes out to catch more sun.

Vali decides to take a patrol. Sure it looks like the Chief is off, but if he contributed to burnt bread, better to not be here for that.

Mercifully, the bread is nicely crusty, but not burnt.

Later.. Olgar will come down to do his usual attempt to snitch something and verify this.