#rivervale_lodge

"Siv...come back when you can."

A stop at the door "I ...understand, mother. I hopefully won't take too long" And she steps out

Truth ish

Frank sets his cider on the table, clasping his hands in his lap.

"Frank...I think it is clear that the three of us disagree with your assessment of the situation. I hope you might respect our opinions as having some weight of truth. But...I still respect your desire to step down."

He nods, eyes down.

"I don't disagree with him." Jess says. "I think he's doing the right thing. And it's hard, which makes it even more important."

Frank looks up at Jessica.

"I think he is doing the right thing. I think his reasons are based on falsehood."

"But if he believes it, if he doubts himself because of it, does it make a difference practically speaking?" she asks reasonably.

"No. It does not." Brekke pauses a moment, then returns to her seat. Her expression is grim.

"And, Dad....." Jess sits forward to speak to him.

"I think I get it. It was hard. I know you're not a quitter. You did the best, the absolute level-best you could but it was never quite enough. Nothing wrong with reviewing your actions to see how you can improve, but when it gets to the point you're second-guessing yourself all the time.... that gets toxic."

Brekke raises a brow at Jessica, listening seriously.

"You felt like you needed to make a drastic change, and that's scary. We're -not- Fiona." she points out needlessly "You went ahead and did it anyway. That's bravery. You're being honest about how you feel now, on.... on your own schedule. I think that's ok."

"I'm glad you're making a change that will let you stop second-guessing yourself, at least about all this."

Jess glances from Frank to Brekke and back. "That's all." she concludes.

After a pause, Brekke says, "That is fair."

"Thank you, Jessica."

Frank looks over to Brekke. "Thank you, Brekke." quietly.

"You are still wrong," she says bluntly. "About failing. But to step down is not cowardice."

Frank's beard moves slightly on one side.

Brekke sighs.

"I -am- sorry." He says quietly.

"Dad, I'm not going to try and pull details out from you if you're not comfortable giving them. I'm guessing as Mountain you've got confidences you have to keep. But I do want you to know that you have been, and are, an example to me. I'm proud to be your daughter." Jess stands.

Frank looks back to Jessica and stands as well. "Thank you." He gives her a hug, which she returns.

Brekke gives Jessica a nod of approval...but just as Siv is having a Fiona reaction, Brekke's Gwydion temper is being kept under tight control.

Siv comes in, jaw set

and phone muted texts forwarded

"I'd better get back. Mom, thanks for asking me here tonight. It's... it's tough news to hear but I'm glad I was here for it. Someone let me know... I mean, there'll be some kind of thing, right?" Jess glances over and nods to the returning Siv.

Brekke stands again, and she offers an embrace to Jessica. A tense one, but still a hug.

"Zane says you didn't fail him" Siv says after taking a breath "Don't worry, I tried to be vaggue and evasive so I didn't betray the specifics. Maybe it worked, maybe it didn't. But at least I know I was right. You didn't fail any wilders"

And Brekke gets one back.

"Be well, Jessica. Thank you for being here." She releases her.

Frank sighs.

"Siv....." Jessica stops "No, nevermind."

Then she looks to Siv. "I believe you are right. But it may be time to...let it go."

"If there's a thing, a celebration or something, someone please let me know. I'll try to get back up here."

"Thank you, Jessica" Siv says, focusing, then looks at her mother "I don't think that's possible, mother. None of us let go that easily. We bottle it up. We may not talk about it, we may be quiet and suffer in silence, I guess i am an exception there, but it's nnot a switch."

Brekke sighs and nods at Siv. Then to Jessica, she says, "We will let you know." A quiet promise.

"Thanks." Jess gives Frank another quick hug, and then Siv.

Siv's hug isnt' as.. well, it's a limp hug

but she does nod to her sister then stares at her father

Frank gets one more forearm squeeze and Jess heads back to Renaissance.

"Siv...whatever we think of your father's thoughts on his performance...the end result is that he wants a change, and that is a good reason for him to have that change."

"His change is built on a lie, a lie he's told himself- the foundation is faulty" Siv says "And that's goin to have consequences. "

"All changes do." calmly.

"Perhaps that is true, Siv. But whatever we think of it, the change is happening."

Siv nods "So it is. " Grim "I should go back to the apartment. "

"Drive safely." Frank says after a moment.