#rivervale_lodge

"Are you all right? I noticed some blood when you came in"

"Fine! The shirt is soaking."

"All right"

Frank regards the wound; does it need stitches?

Nah, time by the bale will do i

it&

Frank nods, and (careful of the bandage) gets dressed before scrubbing and wringing the shirt and setting it to dry on a towel bar before going downstairs.

Maybe just a wee glass of mead by the 'Fire, after all....

He finds a glass of mead waiting for him. IS Sally Mae psychic? Nope, but Kerri gives lessons

A puzzled look, but... he takes it, and settles in near the 'Fire.

And sips.

She moves to a chair nearby "Mister King? Can I ask you a question?"

"Sally Mae?" confused "Why so formal? Of course, ask away."

"Sorry Frank I... do you think I do much good here? I'm confident in my worth, I am, but I'm no sure how much I'm needed"

"Sally Mae, I know you have family at the FarmHold and one day you may return there to serve, but I can't imagine how Rivervale will be without you when that time comes. You're invaluable here, and not just because you can do sum and paperwork and prepare meals that feel the body and soul." Frank says honestly.

"Thank you. Turns out, Hearth Agnnes feels her time is upon her. She..." The young woman chokes a bit "She says she'd pick me if I were a troll, but..as a kinainn I can't draw on or contribute to the bail."

"Sally, will you come sit with me?" he invites.

She moves closer "I .. I have resented her more than once, but she's right."

"She is." Frank agrees evenly, without judgement.

"I hate being less SO much"

Frank indicates space for her to sit near him, but won't insist.

She has taken a seatt nnear him

He offers her the glass of mead.

"I wish I had words that would help." after a silence.

"Me too. Clem says they'd be happy to have me. Carowyn... he tells me I shouldn' think I'm less, that I am a success by every standad and I ... you know how you liams ggo on about mortals"

Frank nods. "We do. And we're especially involved with, and care for, our mortal Kinain relations."

"Sally Mae, I don't recall... do you have any cantrips, any Arts?"

"Weak ones" She admits

Frank nods. "We know Kinain can make Oaths witnessed by the Dreaming, and Balefire."

"Yes, but I can't link to it. Wihout the link I'm..." A sigh "Not enough"

"Not the right fit for the Triad that a traditional troll Lodge rests on." Frank agrees.

"Nope. Rich, young, and talented...and I don't cut he musttard"

Frank stands to pour a second glass of mead; if Sally took his, now he has another; if not, he brings her the glass so either way they both have one.

"Maybe mustard is not your Da'an."

She takes it, "What is?"

"Could be you haven't found it yet." he sips meditatively "Might be worth asking the Dreaming. Or ... a quest?"

"Perhaps talk to Vali or Emmitt about it."

"Not Grampy Emmit... I...too close. Maybe Mountain Vali" She sighs

Frank nods.

"Sally Mae, you lived on the FarmHold for a good chunk of your life; most of it, if I understand correctly? And then here. Have you lived anywhere else?"

"Well, unless you count the college... no" SHe says "I did spend a week in KC working with Caesar"

"Mm. And... on your own? Your own apartment, that kind of thing?"

"Well, I do have a house near here, but... " A blush "Carowyn and I share it"

"Mm." No judgement. "But... never just you? On your own?"

"I suppose not" She admits "A month maybe"

"Mm."

"I only ask because... well, seems like your whole life you've been serving others. Serving trolls. Your family, us here. And we're blessed by it."

"It's what DeBukes do," She smiles "Selfishness is the worst crime"

"Trolls take their duty very seriously." Frank agrees "Sometimes, you have to consider your duty to yourself, so you can carry out your duty to others. Sometimes."

pausing "is.. that why you stepped down? So you could do a bit for you and thus do better for others?"