#rivervale_lodge

Frank sighs, shakes his head, and sips. "Case in point."

A smile and a drink

A grin.

"And of course, you mustn't forget the Hearth tithe," she says.

"Mm. Vital." Frank agrees.

"I take 10 percent of all your cookies?" Vali says hopefully

"Well, I think you might do that on a regular basis, already," she says drily. "Nope. Hard labor. New Mountain has to do all the laundry for a month. For starters."

Frank nods.

"Why do I wish there was a Gwydion present to verify this?" Dubious brow

but he smiles

And as if summoned, Brekke opens the front door, returning from patrol. Oak trots in and eagerly requests pets from all of those seated.

"Good evening, Chieftain," Kerri greets her.

"Chief, Hearth Kerri is picking on me and trying to get me to do laundry so I'm gonna tell" Vali raises his glass

Frank stands and gets her a cup of coffee, crossing to meet her with it.

Brekke raises a brow at Vali, then at Kerri (who looks innocently heavenward)...and finally turns to Frank. "You are leaving me with these two?" she says wryly as she accepts the coffee from him.

Vali looks over at the Hearth "First three days" A counnter offer "For my hazing period"

"I'm not leaving." he reminds.

"Done," Kerri accepts the offer so quickly he might wonder if she'd expected him to do any chore at all.

"I knew I gave in too quickly" He says and realizes he did't technically limit it to laundry. Hopefully Kerri won't think of that

"And thank the Dreaming for that," Brekke says, giving one of his hands a quick squeeze before she moves to take a seat with them to join the conversation (rather than her chair by the balefire).

Frank follows.

Brekke eases herself into the chair, and takes a sip of the coffee. Then she looks at each of the others in turn. "What is being discussed?"

"Chief, I was asking for advice on where I might need to... shore up my weak points for Mountaining. But we were also going towork out out time ... Mountain Frank and I would like it sooner rather than later I think. Size..relatilvely small. And... guests... I have to tell you I'd be remiss not to invite Countess Akanthea."

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

Frank sips.

Brekke nods at the various points as he speaks...until he gets to the last one. A deep, slow breath. "Well..." she says, "...I think I may have been expecting that, on some level." A slow nod. "You are correct, of course, Vali. You must invite her."

"To me, she's family.She may have to decline. She's still very busy,but.. I'm glad you understand." A look to Kerri "And Hearth, I don't want to assume anything, but would a mix of Frank and My favorite dishes be available for the folks coming to witness?"

"I think that's a great idea....though now you've got me curious about what your favorite dishes are currently. You're both very good about eating whatever's put in front of you."

"I -like- what gets put in front of me." Frank rumbles quietly.

A grin, wolfish "Truthfully, the Mountain's got a point there. What you cook is usually fantastic so.. can't go wrong. However, I a mix of Baltimore and New Orleans would definitely hit my nostalga buttons if possible"

"Crab cakes and crawdads? Can do. And thank you, Frank," she says with a grateful nod.

Brekke grins and takes a sip of her coffee.

He nods to Kerri.

"Thank you" A look to Brekke "Chieftain, you know me well. Is there an area of weaknnness you think I need to shore up for the Mountain role? "

"Hmm." She considers this a moment. "That is a difficult question, Vali. Perhaps...the tendency to prank may undermine some of the trust you will need to earn. But perhaps that is only me who feels that way."

"Fair. Another vote to sttick to dad jokes and relish the groans" He doesn't seem offended "It'll be harder around Samhain but I'll see what I can do to be discrete. Besides, I've been surprassed. Nothing I cann do will likely surpass whoever gave Dirk that British accent for a day"

"Hmm, we do not know the culprit there?" Brekke asks.

An eyebrow.

"Nope, just suspects" A smile "I'm darn impressed though. Truthully, I think what this is going o do pranks wise is make me a target. Sure, as an elder there's respect, but I also become a temping target for our litle rebels out there"

"That's entirely likely," Kerri agrees. "Dreaming knows that Frank and the Chieftain have both been targeted in their time. I have been, too, but not so often...people are smart enough not to bite the hand that literally feeds them."

"Enlightened Self interest.Oh, one thing... I'll try to cut down on pranking others, but if one pranks me first, I reserve the right to repay all debts. I'm more responsible- not dead"

Brekke sighs. "Repay all debts," she says with resignation. "But be careful who gets caught in the crossfire."

"I will.. " He says and it rings true "Chieftain, I've never asked. Do you need to send a report to the Count about this change up?"

Frank sips his cider.

"I do not, technically. I am baroness here. The way I run my barony is at my discretion...usually."

A nod "Just making I was going to let him check my teeth or something. that would be awkward for all involved"

Kerri hmphs and shifts a bit. "It might happen anyway."

Brekke raises a brow at Kerri (who seems unphased by it), then says, "I will work it into the next conversation I have with him. He has, of course, known Frank a long time, and he will be interested to know what is happening."

"Of course. " A nod "In that case, we have time, size, possible guests, menu.. in part and some suggestions for me. I guess I'm set. "

Frank is politely dubious about the Count's actual interest in him, but says nothing. He nods in agreement with Vali. "I think we all are."