#rivervale_lodge

Vali comes in after a long patrol...he said hello to folks in the neighborhood and so on.

Frank is waiting at the table, eating a few cheese-and-crackers. A mug of coffee. A glass of.... blue kool-aid.

"CHatty kathies out there or I'd have been back sooner" Vali says and rubs his eyes "Hot bath maybe on my to do list"

"Wouldn't hurt." Frank agrees. "Sauna."

"Yeah if it's open. Sure. How goes here?"

"I can open it for you." He offers. "Quiet, thankfully." In response. "Come sit for a minute, Vali."

"Okay" he sits down

"You feeling ok?"

"Well, a bit stiff..hence the hot bath sauna idea..." he says with a shrug

"Been extending yourself? Physically?"

"I didn't think so, but I have been taking longer patrols of late. You know the kids deserve more time to enjoy the summer. It'll be over soon."

Frank grunts acknowledgement. "What about mentally? Emotionally?"

Vali cocks a brow, then says "Well I'm not talking to myself if you're worried about Bedlam."

Frank nods. "Good. That's good."

"But inside... how are you?"

"Increasingly confused" He admits.

"Mostly by these questions. "

"Vali, you're not answering me." He chides. Gently.

"Stressed I guess. I honestly didn't think I had been that rude to Hearth Kerri but apparently I was- and I tried to correct. I'm a bit hurt that you think I messed up your truck after I gave my word to everyone that I wouldn't go after grumps. Stung. Gerd's situation is..well, she's going to a support group for her eating disorder..feels weird, a kid that young in a support group but she needs it. I'm behind on a writing deadline, don't have my plans for the next school year written out, and I worry I'm neglecting my girlfriend. "

"That's a lot." Frank observes.

"Frank. I love you like a brother, and you are a good man. But what the hell is this about?"

Not snapping, just..tired.

"Vali. Is it time?"

"About 6:20..6:30" he says

"Not what is the time... is it time? For you?"

"Time for me to what?" He asks then blinks 'Wait.. this is Mountain business, isn't it? IT wouldn't be mountain matters unless it was something to do with glamour or spiritualiy or..."

He nods, and moves the kool-aid closer to Vali.

"Pass" He says to the Kool aid "Frank. Are you saying I'm Grumping out?"

"Yes, Vali." Gently.

Frank moves the coffee over.

He takes the coffee, then puts it down "Can't. Now's not a good time."

He nods. "A good man paces himself." Agreeing.

"It's.. more complicated than that, Frank."

"Can you tell me?"

"I guess, but with my track record on offending people lately I'm a bit gunshy about it. You sure you want to hear? It might hurt feelings here."

"Want to go somewhere private?"

"Yeah, probably best" He rises "Where to?"

"Come on." Frank leads him outside.... hits a few switches Vali is familiar with.... and steps into the (currently cool) sauna.

Vali joins in, and says "Guess if Connor gets here we'll know because his fur will fluff." Wry

Frank chuckles. "Among other things, yes."

"So. Tell me."

"When you're ready."

A sigh "Frank. I've received several offers from Countess Akanthea to join her in Charm. And.. honest to gosh? My screw up with Kerri even after all these years.. maybe i do fit in better with a typical sidhe hold. SO I thought.. hinted, that when I got to a certain stage in my life I might take her up on it. I think.. Grumpdom might count. She could use me I know.. and I don't mean 'mwhhahaha' use either. The other thing is... my prophecies about the girls? Their dangers? I've lead her to the point where Gerd can now take care of herself. Me being a grump seals it. No one here needs me, and increasingly, I worry no one here really accepts me for who I am. I joke, they equate that with immaturity. It's not, but hey. Hard enough being disrespected as a grown man.. not sure I'm ready to deal with it as a grump. And.. if I stay here.. I'll just be a leech on the hold.. and an obstacle to Gerd's destiny."

BOW your heads, Peasants!

"Vali. If we have insulted or disvalued or underappreciated you.... believe me, I am sorry. I think Brekke and Kerri will be too. For my part, please... teach me how to do better?"

"Oh Frank. I'm not trying to do this as emotional blackjmail or a guilt trip. You asked how I felt, remember? "

"You're right. I'm sorry. Please, go on."

"IF Hearth Kerri thinks I'm just a kid in a man's body... so be it. That's her problem, not mine really. I disagree with her about the Gerd situation, but differences of opinion are bound to happen. I DO regret neglecting the ... trollish ways we do things. I still have a hard time not calling the Chieftain Baroness now and then, and Kerri is right to be irked on that one.. but let's take you for a moment. WHy on EARTH did you think I'd break my word? An Oath it isn't, but still. You think I value jokes more than my honor?"

A deep sigh. "I was wrong, Vali. I do apologize, and will do so publicly, if you wish. Your sense of humor.... and the note on the tire.....But I should not have doubted you."

"No need for a public apology.. honestly I'm.. insecure maybe, but not that insecure. " A chuff then, a sigh "I don't know.. lately I can seem to ..do things right. I see avision of 'a wilder in danger by a thunderbird'... so I rush off.. only it turns out I was the wilder who nearly died and your daughter saved me as much as I saved her, then Dagmar saved us both. I don't fit in with the big three... and the wilders are shining. And apparently I'm not a good guardian to Gerd. So ..what point is there to me here again?