#rivervale_lodge

"Sounds like you're frustrated by your visions?"

"Well, that's part of being Beaumayn. More like I'm frustrated I didn't gauge it right."

Frank puts his expression in his mug, then lifts it. "I understand that."

"You do? Well, I suppose you do. Omen reading and so on."

"That. And, there are plenty of things I haven't figured on the way they turned out."

"Oh? Forgive the pry, but like what? "

"Oh, just about anything. My first marriage. My ... um, wilder years. The work I did then. The years I missed."

"Heard some of that. Dude, you're way too hard on yourself. I'd give my left pinky to be half the uncle that you are a father"

"Be careful, Vali. I'd like you to keep all ten of your digits."

"mm I'd make a bad hobbit true." a nod "But my point stands. Ever since you came back? If your daughterrs EVERR said they needed you... you would move heaven and earth to get there for them"

Frank is puzzled. "Yes. And?"

"And the fact you see nothing unusual about that is why you're a good dad, well, a part of it"

Frank nods, agreeing, listening.

"But Gerd.. Gerd is not happy with me. Ever. Now. SHe used to at least laugh. Now, she barely listens. I'm lucky she doesn't flicker flash when she sees me coming."

Frank sighs, nodding. "I drove Jessica away. I have had to ... tread careful not to do the same with Siv. It's... terrifying."

"Siv's not going to run away because of you, Frank. She's going to sail away because she has hopes and dreams. And I bet Jessica had some too. THey both love you. I'm not sure Gerd much LIKES me, let alone loves." A sigh "Man it sucks having 'peaked' as a chiildling"

"Gerd loves you." He says certainly. "I don't know that you've peaked yet."

"In some visions.. I see myself dying... and saving many.. that's.. kind of an ego pleaser. In others... I'm a faded old man whose forgotten his fae side... and no one.. knows, or cares, where I am."

"I'm not one to tell you your business... but I can't imagine you going unremembered, Vali."

"Sadly I can. But thank you." He enjoys the sauna "This is nice by the way, I am not suree I said that. So.. you're mOuntain. What.. what do you suggest?"

It is ... warm in the sauna. Warm In July. "What about a Togail?"

"We're back to the...sense that when my togail is up, I'm going to have to make a very hard choice... New Agengard or staying here... and Grumps tend to..settle..fix." A frown "But I may have been doing that anyway. Dam. The Countess and Chief are both great people."

Frank does not indicate one or the other... as hard as that might be. He waits.

And Vali..shrugs "no matter who I pick, where I choose to spend my last span.. I'm going to hurt someone."

Frank nods. "Yes."

A sigh "Well... do me a favor?"

"If I can." Frank agrees.

"If I start to.. slip... become.. .. if it gets clear to you that I need a togail NOW... that I'm slipping too much or worse, becoming a real liablity... let me know. I want time to think this over.. let Sylvi get her birthday celebratation on at least... but if I start to hinder rather than help the lodge because I'm pumping the brake on the wheel too hard... I need you to pull me aside and let me know. Please"

"Vali, it has become obvious. To more than me. More than Storm and Hearth as well."

"Wait.. who else? " Startled.

Frank shakes his head.

"Oh.. right. Sacred trust."

"I.. could you tell me if it was Gerd?"

"I have not spoken with her about this."

"Then that means one of the other ..huh..wonder if it was Sylvi or Siv? Nevermind you can't confirm that anyway. I'm glad it's not Gerd though."

A blessing of his season... Frank does not give anything.

"Vali, if it helps.... we want you to be well. So whatever or wherever that takes.... so be it."

"I know. I know. Honestly if you guys were jerks instead of family this would be a lot easier choice. Either way, Gerd stays here. If I go, can I count on you guys to take over some mundane tasks for her? until she's old enough by mortal standards?"

Frank frowns. "Of course, Vali. She's family."

"no insult meant, but your'e right. the answer should be obvious. I just didn't want to take you all for granted." He says "my apologies. She's a good kid whose been through some..w ell, you know. But one day, she's going to save this hold... not alone mind but.. " A nod

"She has before. She'll do it again. And we will love and care for who she is, no matter what."

A nod "I guess then I should.. actually, not sure what to do. Others are noticing? Maybe it's time to talk to the Chief."

Frank nods. "Not a bad idea."

"So the Mountain is telling me it is very like not a matter of If.. or even When... but 'what day soon?' am I grasping you right?"

Frank nods, sips his coffee. "Yes, Vali. Pretty much... pick a day."

"Shit. I was really hoping to hold it off. Pardon the language. Okay. I'll pick something." He rises up "Thanks for the straight talk, Mountain."

"Vali. You don't have to be alone in this."

"Someone else having a togail at the same time?" A smile

A small smile. "Not that I know of but... " He relents "I meant....All of us Grumps were Wilders.... there are Wilders who will be Grumps....and we have a Childling who was a Grump but I might hold off talking to her about it."

"Thanks" he smiles "And yeah, skipping on the last one"