#rivervale_lodge

Jack gives the big man a hug "It's good to be believed. I'm.. i'm not a good person, but I'm tired of being bad"

"Being good will be difficult. You will have to make hard choices."

"it's the 'be brave and do the right thing' part ...I'm not very brave, sir. How can I do what's right if I got no guts?"

"What does 'Brave' mean?"

"Uh.. like, being able to uhm... well, when you get scared... you tell the scared 'shoo' and get all cool and the fear is gone and you're like all RAWR and you risk yourself like a crazy person?"

Frank considers this, nods slowly. "You're not wrong. Mostly, though, it's being afraid. As you said. You get scared."

"Oh I'm the BEST at being scared" Nod

Another nod. "Yes, Being afraid, and doing what you need to do anyway. That is bravery."

"That's not fair... I'm a bigger coward than most ,so I'll have to be braver than most. That sounds EXTRA hard"

"Start small." He advises. "And learn to forgive yourself. We've all done things we aren't proud of."

"Even you?" Surprised

"Especially me." Gravely.

"Well, shi..shoot" He says "Well, I can try to be brave enoug to do the right thing. But I'm still young so I may need help figuring out what right is"

"That's fair. It is what we grumps are here for."

"I'm glad we have grumps" The boy says matter of fact, "WIlders always seem to look irritated when we hang around them"

Another chuckle. "Wilders have a lot on their minds."

"mostly kissing each other" He shrugs "That doesn't seem like a lot, is it?"

"It is a lot, when you are twitterpated."

"Whelp, I'm a satyr ,so when I become a wilder, I'll probably lose all my brains trying to kiss folks. " A sigh "I hope I'm not a jerk about it. Can you warn me if I am? "

Frank nods. "I can do that."

"I better thank you now cuz I probably won't then" He says with surprising insight, but satyrs sometimes have a wisdom then he looks up "Thanks."

"You're welcome, Jack."

"Seen enough?" He indicates the cab.

The boy has been all over it during this tome, touching what he's allowed and trying different angles. "Yup. Found stuff under the seats" He hands over a sprinkling of things, some of which Frank might have wondered if he lost

"Hmm." He inspects them.

"Sometimes things come out of pockets." He agrees. "I spent a lot of time here."

Mm few coins, a music tape/cd, a wooden whistle.

"Hm." He pockets the stuff, offers Jack the whistle.

"Cool. Thanks' He blows it. Fortunately for canines everwyhere, it is not a dog whistle.

Might be a bit loud in a cab of a truck though

A faint wince. "Good, still works. Come." He pops the door open and gets out, turning to help Jack if he needs it."

The boy does, or just enjoys the lift down "Uhm.. don't blow it in that small space again? Maybe only outside?"

as if double checking

"Maybe that would be good." He agrees.

A note and he tucks it away.

"Shall we head back?"

"Yes sir. Do I have any chores today?"

"Yes. And patrol."

"Or as Connor says 'Paw-trol'" He slaps his knee. Clearly, Connor is the soul of funny

"Connor's a good man." Frank agrees as they head to the Lodge.

(end scene)

Vali of all folks, back in the lodge proper. He looks a bit drained. Teaching will do that too ya it's said. But at least he didn't have to go to Albany.

He is also wearing a frown as he talks with Anne Marie

"Nothing on the fiinger print check yet, Sir Vali. I can't make state authorities move faster" She says

"Sorry, Anne Marie. I appreciate the help"

Dag tromps in, post horses

Vali smiles "Hay hay hay" he says to Dag

Brekke is coming down the stairs just in time to hear Anne Marie's comment. "Fingerprints?"

A weary look at Vali's humor...but she only half means it.

Symon lurks by the doorway. He refused to let Anne Marie head over on her own...