#rivervale_lodge

"Hello Oak." he rumbles, and pets after sliding his boots off and hanging up his coat.

"Frank? " Mountain Vali looks up from the desk

"Vali."

"How goes it with the Croix situation ?"

"Mm. Managed, for the moment. They have food, and Christmas. The house is getting some repairs on the urgent things. Jeff Croix should be getting a job offer. The kids might be seeing a counselor."

"Grief counseling. I have connections with some elementary teachers, not my niche, but I know some of the teachers who are probably teaching their classes. Want me to warn them the kids may need a bit of a soft touch?"

"You could; up to you."

"Well, in this area, I defer to Liam expertise. No one has the mortal touch like your house does"

"Mm. My instinct is to let them get more stabilized at home, see if they can manage school without interference, and get them help and counseling if they need or want it."

A nod "I'll keep it in reserve then. Thank you. "

"No, thank you." Frank says as he and Oak go to get a cider and maybe a treat.

"Don't let Oak get fat. His former girlfriend will scoff at him" Vali calls out

Oak snorts. He's not getting fat. He patrols a lot

"A cookie won't hurt." a crunchy doggie treat is acquired and bestowed.

Oak waits for it then when told it is okay, snaps it up. And wags

Frank takes his cider to a seat.

"I've been thinking of Yule events. might have a gathering in the Dreaming... some things are extra potent then . Holly, Franksence, cinnamon, etc"

Frank nods. "Might be nice to have a change, yes."

"I'll have to double check with the Rover about it. "

"He'll know if it's safe." Frank agrees.

"I have to confess, this role of Mountain still feels a bit odd, I keep looking for you or Grandpa, but either no one has complaints ,or they're being nice about it" he takes a swig of his own coffee

"You're doing just fine, Vali."

"Thanks. There's another holiday I wanted to talk about , one pretty far off. Carnivale. Would I be ritght in that if we can pass that one onto the Count, we'd prefer to? I like the Chieftain, not crazy about her getting a spoiled tomato thrown at her"

"I never have been. Neither is she, to be honest. I think she'd be ok with letting this one go to the County."

"I think I'll start making arrangements now then, with Goldfinch in the picture some of the youth may assume this is where they should go for that and while I don't want to deny them their fun picking on 'the man' I'd rather the Count endure it"

"Mm." Frank agrees.

"Sylvi's got her own mind, though. Might talk to her about it."

"Yeah, she's the head cheese of Goldfinch now, which feels weird mind you. I always knew she was a leader, but did not see this direction coming despite a few visions."

"As you know, I don't have visions... but I'm not surprised.

"Experience and taking time ot think it through often beats prophetic visions, so I'm not surprised you're not surprised where I was surprised" A smile

"But when did you see it as likely? If I might ask?"

"From birth."

"mmm yeah, I suppose so. I missed her youngest years, but given how much she takes after Kerri and even Olgar, I shouldn't have been caught off she's not just lead, but find a way to lead that was.. unorthodox"

"Find her own way." Frank tempers.

"Oh I'm not critizing, admiring really. She's going to do even more amazing things"

Frank sips, nods. "Not surprised to hear it."

"Now your younger daughter? A seer's nightmare. SHe's blurred even in my visions"

Frank grunts softly.

"Ah right. Knowing Soothsay you're all too aware how hard it is to keep track of her"

"No point in trying." he says evenly "She's grown."

"She is" A nod "And it's only now that I have a son I realize how nervous that must make you. She takes risks, Fiona and all"

Another soft grunt, fatalistic.

"Not reassuring that grunt" He says, clearly pondering his own son "But then again, if my boy does half as well as your daughters, either of them, he'll be a good man"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome I..." His eyes are drawn towards the balefire

Frank notices, but waits and watches.

It seems for a moment he has a dream with hsi eyes open, rapid eye movement and all

Frank sips.

THen he forces them closed

and pulls them open again, "My team is not going to win the superbowl this year"