#rivervale_lodge

"Heroes are rarely good with money." wryly "It helps, believe me. I hear good things about the work you do."

"Oh, that was Caesar's fault. Saw what good his real estate work did.. helped him once and boom.. suddenly I'm helping non profits and economical oppurtunties."

"Again... a good problem to have."

A smile "Suppose it is. "

In the kitchen, the combined sounds of cleaning and cooking rattle and clang.

Jess glances, and lifts the King's eyebrow.

Definitely the sounds of everything-under-control-full-steam-ahead.

Jess looks around, settles back a bit and glances at the 'Fire.

"Yeah... she's going to whip it into shape"

"Place looks good."

"Always does... " A smile , a bit of pride. "Did you know Gerd is getting Hearth traininngg now?"

"I think I heard about that; it's been going on a while, though, right?"

"Oh I don't think Kerri has an official replacement set up , annd she doesn't nnneed one. She's fit as a fiddle and loves the role. Some of us might be 'of the Hearth' but there's only one Earth"

Jess nods. "I mean, Gerd's been working to learn Hearth skills for a while. I thought."

"Oh, yes, takes years to manage it all. Cooking is just one part, finances, management, child care, and more. So even if anothe lodge needed a Hearth right now, she wouldn't be ready"

"Kerri'll be around for a long time." Jess says with utter certainty "And if she needs a break or something, maybe several people will take over different parts."

"Oh we do. " A smile "It's how Olgar gets tto drag her off for those rare week long vacaions"

"Maybe they'll come visit again."

"Oh You knnow..." SHe ponders "I think they'd like that. they donn't complain about the cold annd snow but I think sometimes they do gett tired of it"

"Well, the door's right there and all of Rivervale are welcome in Fenix."

"Well, we donn't want to be underfoot. What you do is important"

"It is." she agrees without false modesty "But you are all welcome."

"i'll pass it on. I might even go myself" A smile

"Sure." she nods "Business trip, checking the area, see if it's viable."

A nod "I'll have Earl or Gerd pop me over, maybe a week before yule?"

"Sure. Just let me know where you'll be and I'll come pick you up and make sure you're, um, you know. Able to enjoy the visit."

"Yes. I'll have to disenchant for a bit afterr thanksgiving" A sigggh "Don't want to risk Dreamstuck"

"No, of course not."