#rivervale_lodge

"It doesn't hurt."

"It is work I am good at, and I can help others on the road."

A nod and sip

They can hear the outside door in the kitchen open and close, and then the sounds of cabinet doors. Sounds like Kerri brought home some groceries.

She rises "I better get that"

Frank stands to stand and help. "Mmm. You sure? Want a hand?"

Kerri emerges from the kitchen as SallyMae is headed that way. "Ah! There you are. I got those things you said you needed for that recipe. I'm looking forward to tasting it." A grin, then she looks over and says, "Evening, Frank."

"Evening, Kerri. Need a hand?"

"Oh, thank you" She says "Need help?"

"Oh, no. All's away. I'm actually coming out for a sip and a sit." Yes, even Kerri pauses now and then.

"How are both of you?"

"I was a bit whiny actualy"

She gets herself a cup of coffee and takes a seat. "Oh? About...?"

"Doing fine." Frank sits back down. He has a glass of mead at hand.

"I... Hearth Agnes is coming to ... the ed of her term"

Frank sips.

She gives the slightest double-take at Frank as he sits again, but then focuses on SallyMae. A nod. "The Chieftain told me. I'm having trouble imagining the Farm without her present."

"Me too.... everyone in fact. But... she told me I would'n't be.. couldn't be Hearth"

A deep breath and a sigh. A nod. "I heard that, too. And there's nobody trained to her satisfaction to take over as soon as she seems to expect to need it."

"SallyMae...do you think she's being overly cautious? Might there be somebody who is ready, more ready than Hearth Agnes judges? Your opinion."

"Possibly, but the one I'm thinking off might be a bit young, unnderr 18.. she's got the healing down"

A wry grin. "I wasn't quite eighteen when the Chieftain had me swear as Hearth here. For we fae, eighteen is not always so young."

"Kourtney, you remember her? Kelby's younger sister?"

"Oh! Of course, Kourtney. Seems to me she has known her fae self since she was very young, and she has known the responsibilities of the Farm for at least as long. As you say, she's got the healing...how about the rest?"

"I'd want to help her with finances maybe... could build her up. She makes some amazing pies."

"if Gerd or Dagmar helped her now and then..." Thoughtful

"How about leading others? She'd need to organize and motivate a kitchen crew, not to mention bully the Storm and Mountain when necessary." A wink to Frank.

"True." he agrees mildly.

"She'll have to handle CHief Clem... my cousin is a handful, a stubborn one"

"Think Kourtney will have the backbone to stick by her opinions while also being able to reconsider her ideas?"

"Not sure, but she's closest to being qualified" A sigh "Marrsielles might come back but he likes Dark Gate"

"Well...it seems to me that if she's got a good support structure as she eases into the role, she'd be a very good choice. Has anybody spoken with her about it?"

Frank sits quietly, sipping from his glass.

"Not that I know of"

Kerri takes a sip of her drink and thinks about that. "It's really Hearth Agnes's place to speak with her about it...."

"I suppose it is.. maybe you could talk to Agnes first?"

"I could. She might feel I'm butting in where it's not my business, but a Hearth-to-Hearth seems like it might be needed here."

"You're a peer"

"I don't always welcome buttinsky comments from my peers," she points out with a grin.

"She doesn't like it from herr NON peers either"

A laugh. "Good thing I'm tough."

"I'll go speak with her," she assures SallyMae.

"THank you" A sigh at somehtin "For the best"

A brow. "But you would prefer something else." A statement that's a question.

"What I would prefer is you join me in a toast to my Great Aunt Agnes. Annd to Kourtney" She pours her a drink "We'll let me mope later" A smile

(End Scene)