#rivervale_lodge

"Don't know that I've done anything like this before. Do we have a traditional way of doing this?"

"Hmm."

"Gerd?"

"How about...we leave the room for a minute, Kourtney. Let them discuss."

"Sounds good" Kourtney says and steps out

Gerd watches both go, then says to Frank "I can't taste any eggplant... but I know there's eggplant. I hate eggplant. I should hate both of these" She says surprised

"And you don't." he confirms.

"I'd eat a full plate of both of them.... and salmon isn't my first choice of foods."

"Oh I LIKE sea food." she admits "I think the salmon and bean dish one was flavored a little more evenly? It really was fantastic. "

Frank nods. "I think I agree. An interesting take on chilli."

"Eggplant in both of them, you say?"

"It was in one of the ingredients. They TOLD me I hadn't had it cooked right before now . NOW I find out they wree right, and weirdly, I may have had it before this and not known it. " she says

"Mmm. Learn something every day. Are we agreed then? We have a winner?"

"Yeah, really close, really, but the salmon and bean dish beats out the Salmon Burito and riceless rice. "

"Alright then." Frank stands and goes to the door, tapping.

Frank reenters with the chefs and indicates how much of the food is gone. "Ladies, I told Gerd.... I would eat a full plate of each of these. They are both delicious, and salmon's not even my favorite."

Kerri grins. "Why, thank you, Frank!"

"I LIKE Salmon, so that was an extra treat " Gerd nods "But my surprise was.. I didn't taste the eggplant. At least, not any flavor I equate with eggplant"

A chuckle. "And neither of you has mentioned the Brussels sprouts."

Frank blinks. "I like sprouts. I like these, too."

"Oh the sprouts were nummy" she says

"Glad to hear it" Kourtney says . "And.. the overall Verdict?"

"Well, the winner is.. " Gerd gestures to Frank to announce it

(And the show cut to a commercial, I couldn't believe it. they were about to announce the Winner and I have to hear about how some lizard can save me money?)

(ARRRGH!)

Kerri leans forward just slightly, waiting for the declaration.

"Gerd and I were in agreement; the food is delicious. But if we were to pick one over the other....."

Frank indicates one plate. "This is the winner."

Gerd nods

Kerri grins and gives a brief bow. "That is mine."

"Sorry, Kourtney" Gerd says sheepishly

"Both dishes are to be proud of."

"Thank you, both," And Kourtney holds out a hand to shake for Kerri "And always a pleasure to lose to a master"

"Thank you so much," she says to the judges, then she turns to Kourtney and shakes her hand. "You did very well, Ronin Kourtney."

"Hear hear." Frank agrees.

Kourtney says "Traditionally, I now must serve for three days wwith the winner if she'll endure me. Grunt work, or sharing of recipes. Depending on what she feels I've earned."

"Oh, I think a little of both. Shopping, and then cooking alongside me. And a trade of recipes. Agreed?"

"Agreed" Kourtney brightens, "A chance to learn even a few of those recipes? You got it"

"Wonderful! Then...." She reaches over to fetch a paper from the counter, and she hands it to Kourtney. "Your first task. Shopping."

She takes it and reads "Right away, ma'am. Should i be on the look out for any specials not on the list?"

"Good question. No more than two things, and only if they're especially good and useful deals." She hands her a very thin wallet...within is a credit card.

"I'll protect it with my life" Kourtney says firmly

"Geez, Kourtney, bit dramatic there" Gerd mutters

"It's a trust from a Hearth" Kourtney says "If you ever decide to follow that path, you'll understand when A hearth gives you funds, she's trusting you with the health of the lodge as a whole"

Frank nods agreement with this. "Hearths tend the financial health of the Lodge as well. It is a huge trust."

"Kourtney knows about responsibility. I can trust her."

"Oh" Gerd ponders thoughtfully

A grin to Gerd. "Even the most modern and banal of items can serve as a greater symbol."

"Makes sense" Gerd considers "Mountain protects the spirit, Storm the flesh, and hearth , hearth protects us from..well, i don't want to say the world"

A chuckle. "The home. Hearth protects the home, the place where spirit and flesh must both find sustenance."