#rivervale_lodge

"If we're agreed, perhaps the next step is to speak with the Chieftess and Hearth together, get some pieces planned out. Especially the dates. Then the Pillars. My family is aware of the changes, you should probably let yours know. If there are any guests you'd like to invite, you could do so at that point."

An amused look crosses his features "Oh this could get interesting"

"Mmm?"

"Well, Aunt THea might indeed want to witness"

Frank's face is a picture.

"If that is what you want." he rumbles finally.

"I should at least invite her if she declines that's fine but .. I don't want her hurt. She's special to me"

"Mm. Best not to offer insult. "

Amused "I think she'd enjoy the notion some of you might see her as malificent" a shake of his head "I've been visiting her once a month. I should do it more often than that"

"But I won't let it get in the way of Mountain duties"

"Of course not." Frank agrees.

MMm he takes another swig of coffee "Frank. What do you think is the hardestt part of he job? What should I brace for?"

"I think it will be different for you than it was for me; your strengths are not mine, and vice versa."

"Fair. Okay. What do you think I need to work on. Be honest- I can't let my ego get in the way of learning"

Frank scratches his beard. "I think it's going to be a real challenge to balance all the aspects of your work-life."

"Yeah, writer, teacher, and Mountain. I may have to hold off on the former"

"Uncle, Husband, Father." Frank points out.

"I didn't think that was work life, but family life" he tilts his head

"The balance between your work and your life. Work-hyphen-life."

"MMm so .. you're saying I'm going to have to cut back on being a writer and an Uncle?"

"No. I'm saying it's going to be a difficult balance to achieve and maintain. Flexibility will be required. I think."

"I think you're right" A sigh "And I think maybe I didn't take into account ALL those roles"

Frank nods, sips.

"The good news is, for all my grumbling about my wife trying to speed her preggnancy, she's an amazing woman and a source of strength"

"And that will help you as Mountain, I think."

"I know it wil" A nod "Sometimes it's hard to explain to her how she says 'damsel' as a joke... but there are times she rescues me every morning"

Frank nods; he knows.

The kitchen door opens and Kerri enters with a tray of pastries. "I hope you don't mind, but you two have been rumbling out here for a while. I thought you might need provisions to keep your strength up."

A sip

Then he looks up 'Oh, Kerri. Sorry Hearth. Just.. sorting stuff out"

Frank's beard moves. "Thank you, Kerri. Vali and I were saying that we should probably sit down and talk, the four of us. Figure out details.

"Oh, in that case...." She sets down the platter and pulls up a seat.

A chuckle "Among others, what areas as Mountain I personally need to work on before I begin"

"Welcome to join us but we're still missing one. Guess we could figure things out and present a plan to Brekke."

"Well, we can talk, whether or not we figure things out."

Frank nods, sips his cider.

"Vali, you're not under the misconception that you have to have it all figured out before you take over the role of Mountain, are you?"

"Nah, but I'd like to bone up for the first term paper" A smile

"Think about it more as a project."

"Progress, not perfection."

"I promise not to flog myself wihtout my wife's permisison" He assures them "She has a first dibs clause"

Kerri laughs at that.

Frank nods, his assumption confirmed.

"However, IF there is an area you guys think I need to focus on by what you've seen in the past, few know me better so I am happy to hear it. Honestly"

"You might take care with the use of humor. You're not bad at it, but sometimes it's not the right tact to take." Frank suggests.

"Welllll...." Kerri puts some serious thought into it. "I think it's important that you not try to fill Frank's shoes. No offense, Frank, but he's got to make it his own role, not try to copy somebody else's style."

"...and that might mean that humor will work for him. Or it might not."

"True. I only caution. And he and I have discussed that we will, and must have, different styles."

"Both good advice. My humor fit better when I was a wilder... but the cheeky kid act is long gone. Best to accept annything I say will be taken as a dad joke .. and ennjoy and use my humor with that in mind. And.. yes, there is only one Franklyn Marion King"

Kerri blinks at Vali...and looks at Frank, brows up.