#rivervale_lodge

And in typical troll economy of words, she turns to face the balefire, taking Frank's left hand in her right. On Frank's other side, Kerri takes his right hand in her left, and the all face the balefire in quiet contemplation.

After a moment, the balefire stirs and roils.

All is quiet, save, perhaps that balefire.

It rises up and forward towards Frank, as if it is contemplating him in return.

Then a flicker of flame touches his shoulder briefly before the flames settle back again, restless, uneasy, waiting....

Frank bows his head in acknowledgement, and perhaps loss as well.

Frank lifts his hand from Kerri's, and holds it out to Vali.

Kerri glances over at him slightly, but then to the balefire again. Brekke...does not move at all.

Kerri gives a bit of a sad grin as she releases Frank's hand.

Vali takes the hand and steps into the light of the fire

A welcoming look from Kerri...and an encouraging wink.

Frank brings Vali into the line, completing it once more for just a moment, then releases the hands he holds to step back as he joins those hands so that Brekke, Vali, and Kerri form a line together. Outside, now, he moves to stand at Brekke's other side.

Vali, grump or no, almost seems for a moment boyishly shy but his back is straight and he looks to the fire and inclines his head to it. An inhale, and then he seems to exhale some glamour out as offering

Brekke looks over to Vali as he joins them...and nods.

and that breath of glamour drifts towards the bale, to accept or deny

The breath of glamour stirs the fire like a breath on a candle. It wavers and flickers, unsteady at first, but then rights itself by catching on to the new glamour. Again, that rising posture, and the flames seem to consider Vali a moment. A tilt this way...then that...getting his measure....

...and then a withdraw...

...before a sudden gout of flame that whips around the three of them once, twice, thrice!

A few gasps in the audiance

Brekke inhales deeply at this...and Kerri gives a knowing grin.

And then, as quickly as it erupted, the fire settles back, burning steadily and comfortably once more.

A moment more...and Brekke looks to Vali. "I believe...you have been welcomed, Mountain."

Vali seems to be basking as if in a sunnbeam, this he opens his eyes "I am honored to serve as such" A look to Frank "And have good examples to have learned from"

"Welcome aboard," Kerri says.

Releasing his hand, Brekke turns to the observers. "Welcome Vali, Mountain of Rivervale Lodge!"

The reactions are a bit of a jumble. All polite , but some applaud! A few figure they're supposed to repeat the phrase and call out "Welcome, Vali, Mountain of Rivervale Lodge!" and some wilders WOOT

"Welcome, Mountain Vali." Frank says firmly and clearly.... and perhaps winning the worst dad-pun for eternity.

That gets groanns and chuckles

Vali grins "Surprised I didn't beat you to that"

Brekke STARES at Frank.

Kerri also stares for a moment, startled that she didn't see it coming, and facepalms.

"Oh god, they really HAVE changed places" Gerd laments dramatically

"Oh, mannnn!" Sylvi groans.

Kerri finally shakes her head in surrender, and gives Vali a hug.

Frank looks back at Brekke; there's no movement in his beard, but his eyes twinkle just a bit.

Brekke just...raises a brow.

Kerri's hug is returned "Hey, thanks for all the work you put into this"

A tinking of spoon against lass!

"My pleasure. And we're going to make you work," Kerri replies.

Then attention is turned to the tinking sound.

Frank reaches out to casually take Brekke's hand as he turns to the tinkle.

Siv tinks and makes sure she's got everyone's attention "Ladies and Gents, the ritual of Mountain of Dusk, Mountain of Dawn is a new one to some of you, and my father is a modest man, Mountain Vali perhaps less so but both worthy fellows of praise. Thus ,, as I beelieve the formal part of the ceremony over, let us throw in a tradition used by one and all... I ask you to grab a glass, mug or cup, and Toast to the Mountains, Past and Present! To their health, to their happiness, and to their glory through wisdom shared!"

She takes her trueheart's hand easily.

Glasses, mugs, cups are grabbed, everyone by now having one nnearby if not already in their hand

Grins at Siv's suggestion of a toast, and soon there are mugs or glasses in all hands.

Frank takes a glass of cider to salute Vali. "To your health, happiness, and wisdom.... Mountain Vali."

"Health, Happiness, and Wisdom," Brekke salutes both of them.

"To the Mountains," Kerri toasts.

"To your health, happinness, and glory," Vali salutes back "Sir Franklyn"

And others join in easy rounds of the same