#rivervale_lodge

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Frank seeks out Zane. Hopefully without having to use the tiny phone.

Zane's not hard to find, he's not at a party, but in the garden having an arguemennt with Jack "Absolutely not"

"But you could do it" Jack fusses "You can make the brussel sprouts taste like chocolate?"

"I can make people THINK they taste like chocolate" Zane says "or maybe yes, have the plants alter slowly, by lots of twisty magic... but that's not what Bruseel sprouts are. and it's wrong to make them something they are not. You want to change the flavor..ggo to a chef like the Hearth. That's skill, that's work. Magic is manythings, but it's not a short cut for life"

Jack rolls his eyes "FIIINNe.. I'm gonna to play"

"Good idea" Zane shrugs, then turns, annd looks surprised to see Frank "Ah. Hi"

"Hello, Zane." he glances after Jack, safely out of earshot "That was good advice."

"It's pretty much a varation on one of the talks you gave me" Zane says , as Jack is already off

"Well-remembered, then. Do you have a moment? I thought we might talk."

"uhm sure" He says, trying to take a breath

"Walk-and-talk? Get something to eat? Go for a drive?" he offers options without pressure.

"What ever you'd like, Mountain" He walks with the giant.

"Sir, I don't know if the Hearth told you... but I, I wanted to apologize for my mood earlier..." he starts to say

Walking it is; it is cloudy and cooler than normal for early July, but not uncomfortable. It's going to storm.

Frank's silence is easy as they walk.

"I ... think maybe I projected some of my personal issues and problems with my dad- my dad's great, don't doubt that but he ... he has HIS Way of doing things and I guess I took some defensiveness about that annd put it on you." He blishes a bit "Some bullshit immaturity of me there"

"Part of being a wilder, I think."

"Yeah, and satyrs don't 'restrain' well. Which is great when you need a catalyst to get things going, but can be a hassle for other kith" A sigh escapes the young man "Anyway, I was out of line"

"I did not intent to doubt or disregard you, Zane. My apologies if I did."

"Apology accepted, even if I'm not sure you owe me one. I hope you accept my apology in turn?" A look "I'd like things to get back to normal"

"I do accept your apology." Frank offers his (massive) hand.

Zanne takes it, he's no longer a scrawny boy, but compared to the Moutain, he probably seems dainty

They shake.

"Whew. Thanks, Mountain, So, what Pillar duties do I have to do today?"

"I think we are in a rest-and-recovery mode, Zane." he rumbles "I'm not aware of anything pressing, for you."

"Oh so you... just came by so I could apologgize and vice versa?"

"To talk, Zane." patiently "Talk. Clear the air, yes, if that's where our conversation took us."

"Any other news?"

"Mmphm." he thinks "Might make a trip out to the Farmhold. Be good to catch up with them. Siv's visiting Jess right now. Jaymes seem fine."

"Jessica will be dropping by on the fourth right? She did last year?" A pause "pardon, Countess Jessica"

"She prefers informality." Frank reassures him with some pride "And yes, that's the plan."

"Cool. " he smiles, then says "The farmhold? A mountain to mountain talk with Mountain Emmit?"

"Or maybe just Frank and Emmit." he agrees.

"Oh well, yeah, not like you have to be Mountain ALL the time I guess" As if stunned by the notion though

He nods. "No. Not all the time."

"Kind of like when I see Sir Vali somedays annd he's not at school or his house or the lodge. Just weird"

"Out of place."

"What, finding out an authority figure is at a convience store for a package of snowballs? Yeah, a bit" A grin

"Not that there's anything wrong with snowballs."

"Shouldn't be. Just teachers are supposed to be kept in a box every night after classes are over, then let out in the morning," Good humor in his eyes.

Frank chuckles. "I remember those days. Faintly."

"I guess one day I'll be on the other end of it" Zane admits eying the gathering yet still behaved clouds , "I mean, I don't plan to teach at college like my dad or grade school, but when I become a graybeard- well, wizards of a certain age are expected to take an Apprentice"

"That tends to be the expectation." he acknowledges "It's not a law."

"Nah, but I love the classics," he admits "Heck, I'm thinking of getting a tower"

Frank chuckles.

Zane ponders "Speaking of apprentices... any of the remaining centaurs showing a knack for arts that you can see? Linwood is definitely more interested in music than anything else, and Tiara is already good with a blade but either might want to buff up. I think Lane however is eager for the pretty maggics, whatever those are. They're all pretty to me. And Jordan, well, shit. He's going to have time to study, but you notice any of them with a knack?"

"Truth to tell, Zane, no. That wasn't my focus, and perhaps it should have been."

"No," he shakes his head "You made the right call, you all did. Priority one with prodigals and more around was securing those in danger, tending to our vulnerable, and robbing the enemy of his power. " A pause "Nadeen and Sylvi ...well, I'm glad they came to the rescue. We needed the extra oomph"

"They are both formiddable in thier own ways."