#rivervale_lodge

"Let's have a drink?"

Kerri accepts her glass, not looking directly at either of them, but at the Balefire.

Frank is fine with taking a moment to reflect.

"Whose the designated driver here?" Olgar says wryly, but does drink

"Gerd." Frank responds.

Kerri gives a brief polite grin at the joke, then sips her whiskey, not tossing it back like the last time, still looking at the flames.

Frank lets the moment settle.

"Heh" A nod "Gerd's turning out better these last few weeks. " A nod of respect to his wife there. It's clear he gives her a lot of credit for that

A nod. "Our Hearth is second to none."

"She's doing well," Kerri acknowledges. Then she frowns. "Don't give me credit that's not my due. She did a fair amount of it herself, and Vali more as well. I don't need to be pandered to."

A chilliness in her tone.

Olgar shakes his head.

"No."

"Although...if we're starting from the statement that I am second-to-none as Hearth, then fine...as a superior Hearth, it is my opinion that this treasure is a useful tool that should be maintained and managed as a possession of Rivervale Lodge."

Frank nods. "Well said."

Olgar says "Am I the only who senses a malice off that thing?"

"Thank you," to Frank, and a smug nod to her husband.

"Oh, it's not a safe tool. That's why I've got it locked up. I can handle it."

Olgar looks at Frank, waiting for an answer on his question too.

"Kerri is one of the best persons I know. I trust her."

Olgar says "I trust my wife, I don't trust the Copper Pan. "

She finishes her whiskey, relaxing a bit, and sets down her glass. "Look...like I've said, I don't want to try to learn too much too fast. Not anymore. I just want to...keep it in reserve. What I already know is going to be helpful, I think, and only IF we need it."

Frank nods. "Can I have it for safekeeping?"

"You told me you wanted to keep learning from it at a slower pace... and to defeat the dragon"

Her smile falters at Frank's request. "It's safe. In the cabinet. It's locked." As if he ought to know that.

"Yes, Olgar, but I agree that I can't push it. I might learn one more thing before Samhain."

"Yes." Gently. "Can I have the care of it?"

Olgar watches his wife and Frank over his shot glass.

"You...you want to...to use it? Learn from it?"

"No. Actually, I don't want to learn from it.Or use it. Just.... come to know it."

"How would you do that?"

It maybe a sign of Olgar's worry that he doesn't make the obviously low hanging fruit

"You tell me. What would be best?"

"I don't.... I suppose you could research it? See if there's lore about it?"

"Yes. I will. Tell me what you know, Kerri."

She shakes her head. "Nothing. Not about its background. Just that it can teach me Sovereign. Like...oh, like the Chieftain says Speaker used to teach her!"

"Kerri... did you want to know that Art?"

"I..." She pauses and reaches back into memory. "I...no. No, I didn't. The first time I picked up the pan, it just...happened."

Olgar has become quite quiet.

"Definitely a surprise," she mutters.

"Olgar, Kerri... come with me?

And Frank puts on his boots, at the door.

Kerri glances at Olgar...then stands to follow Frank.

Olgar follows.

PAUSE