#rivervale_lodge

"You are helpful to them, Vali. The more you practice, the better you will get." Frank reassures him.

"I am both flattered by that, and yet I also read it as not so far from 'walk it off'" Amusement "FIne. Anyone you want me to talk to as well? "

"My duty, really. And you have Tiffany to tend to."

"Might check on Anne Marie, if you feel you need something to do."

"I will" he nods "She's been missing Jonas' aid"

"Mmph." Frank frowns.

A wince "Sorry. Didn't think that train of thought all the way through. I'm sure Siv is fine. She's...unpredictable, but also resourceful"

A grunt.

Frank looks around the trailer. "Clean?"

"Actually" He looks over it with keen eyes "She's looking really good in this sunlight on the outside, and the inside looks... spotless. I think even Hearth Kerri would be impressed"

"She would be," says a voice, and the Hearth approaches with a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses for them.

"I should recruit you both for kitchen duty more often."

Frank puffs, amused, and steps down from the trailer. "Thank you, Kerri." for the lemonade.

"I thought my careful plan to avoid the work had paid off" He takes his glass and pours some into it "Thank you, Hearth" A sip "Oo that's good"

"Thank you," at Vali's compliment. "How are you both feeling after all that?" A tilt of the head to include not just the cleaning of the truck, but the entire adventure.

Frank frowns. "Fine. I'll be checking up on the others, the wilders. Vali suggested. Brekke looking better?"

"I'm actually sitting pretty," Vali says "And I feel a bit guilty about that considering the more direct fights that went on. But geez, some of those kids"

"She's better." A sigh. "That was closer than I would have liked, but I'm grateful that you all got back."

"I'm going to go over to visit Anne Marie in a bit. Any messages I should bring her?"

"Find out if she needs any help, resources or supplies or manpower."

Kerri nods. "I'm guessing that answer might be yes, but we'll see."

"Tell her that I'll drop by to help with some of the runs later too ie in case of manpower. I finally hit summer break, REAL summer break, not that summer break non teachers think teachers get.. so I have soem time to spare"

"Oh, you might regret saying that, Vali. I'm sure we'll find plenty for you to do. Well, I'll leave this here," she puts the tray with the pitcher down. "Bring it in when you're done." She heads back towards the Lodge.

"Thank you, Dame." A pause "Oh, ah, your squire might be sulking a bit about being left out of battle"

With that message delivered he looks back to Frank "Sometimes I think if the Hearth could trade her knighthood for something practical she would"

Frank nods, and sighs. "It was....not something she ever sought."

"Nope. But Brogan's not a bad squire , as squires go. "A sip "Mind you, Daireann can be vengeful to the point of two eyes for an eye and I want a tooth as well, but the kid himself is all right. He actually respects the domestic aspects as a point of pride... as he should" Added in case some how Kerri can hear from this distance "Honestly, have you tried one of his Fruit smoothies? Fantastic."

"I don't think I've had the pleasure, no. I'll have to ask for one."

"It's his plan that Snow will be more reluctant to steal fruit in that form. I think he's this close to making a monkey trap, but I warned him Dagmar would not approve"

"Certainly not a fatal trap, no."

"I think more of some sticky fruit trap." he says "Margilita..." Speaking of Tiffany's nocker ward "wanted to set an explosive in one... 'a small one' she said. I had to say no. I mean, even if it only blew up the fruit I'd likely be the one cleaning up the mess. Nocker kids are a handful. I don't dare leave any project out and unfinished or she starts to eye it. I opened the vent in the house to CLEAN the AC vent... big mistake. One bathroom break later and chimerical penquins were bouncing around after her 'improvements'"

"Was it clean?"

"To her credit" A sip "It was. "But 12 degrees is a bit much in June. even for this winter magicker."

"Impressive."

"It's the interest in demolitions that keeps me up at night" Wry "I had to explain to her that making a world war two style grenade for the Science Fair was a no go. Tiffany backed my play, but the kid proceeded to complain a about her first and second amendment rights were being curtailed and the education system was full of facsists. " A pause "Thats when we cut down her TV time"

"Less news, at least. Yes."

A nod

"So, anything you think I should be on the watch out for our little community? I know Jack got the message that you and the Chief aren't the parents he's looking for"

"Perhaps touch base with those who love and support those who went on the raids? I'm thinking the elder Wayburtons and Thomases. The Lees, you said you'd check on Anne Marie but I wonder what Dr. Lee knows about what happened. So on. Ripple effects."

"Adam.. there's another one I step wrong with. Apparently any attempt to lead him to knowledge is 'busting his chops'" A sigh

"But sure, the other Thomases seem to like me... and I'll be happy to run the rounds with all three families" A nod

"Adam strikes me as very physical; Fiona. Not to say you don't get Fiona scholars but... Adam is not one of those. I think."

"Well I'm not allowed to boot him in the ass and hope it jogs his brain" Wryly

"You're not the only one who's had to restrain the impulse, Vali. He can be a trying lad."

"I thought it was just me out of the grumps. He's also a GOOD kid though" A frown "Itr's frustrating"

"That said, he -is- trying. It was clear he didn't want the assignment he ended up with but he absolutely did what he was told."

"Now that's true" A nod "And with his girlfriend in the thick of it no less. I know , skilled as Tiffany is, I would worry if I couldn't even have her back"

"And remember how Fiona are about a threat to those they care about." Frank points out.

"And he IS Fiona now. Mmmph." A nod "Well, that's one way to approach it. I hinted at him being a squire, but he's... not interested I don't think or.. maybe he is now, but he's taking everything I saw off so.. I think he might do better with another. " A look "I'd suggest you, but I'm afraid your Liamness rubs him despite everyone's defense of you. Sorry about that. I barely notice it. Known too many Liams who saved my ass."

"Well no. Not Fiona, not now. Not yet. Not... not really anything, yet." Frank sighs. "I have not found anything like this, in any records."