#rivervale_lodge

Doggedly, she says, "You words have value. Your experience has value. Your heart has value."

"Thank you."

After a moment, "You have done this with Siv as well? And with Jessica? Withheld your words because you did not trust your words?"

That gets a chuckle. "Siv won't follow my advice to begin with, and Jessica doesn't ask for it."

"That does not answer my question. Have you gone silent with them, as well?"

"No." nonplussed "Siv's on a mission, I think. Jessica is in Baja California. I would say we have talked no more nor less. I could be wrong."

She considers for a moment, then she speaks slowly and clearly. "Frank...I trust your words and your opinion. That means I believe that you will not intentionally deceive me. It means that I know you will tell me what you believe is best, and you will not use your words to manipulate me." A pause. "That does not mean that I expect you to be without flaw or error."

"More than reasonable."

"Then, reasonably, I expect that you will not hesitate to offer your opinion or recommendation when it is called for."

He's quiet a moment, sips his cider.... nods.

Her expression falls a bit, but she continues, "I wish you to offer the same should others call on you for it as well."

"Alright."

Her brow furrows. A nod.

"My advice may consist of directions to the Mountain." he says.

"That is not advice. Nor opinion."

She is clearly not at all satisfied with that tactic.

An eyebrow "If someone comes to me for an opinion or recommendation, and my opinion, my recommendation is that the Mountain is the best person to respond... you are saying this is not acceptable?"

"If they ask your opinion? No, it is not. Give your opinion, then suggest they consult the Mountain as well." Her brow is furrowed and she stands restlessly.

He nods, agreeing to do so.

"I shall hold myself to this as well," she mutters.

She paces briefly, then says, "I am angry with you that you did not speak with me about this. But...as you say, you were not ready."

"Thank you for understanding."

"I do not understand," she says sharply. "I accept, for love of you."

She regards the balefire a long moment.

His chin sinks to his chest.

"What must happen for you to recognize the value of your words here, Frank? For you to trust your right to opinion?"

"I do not know." a low rumble.

"I would like you to find out," she says, equally low.

Still looking at the balefire, she folds her arms and lets out a long exhale. After a moment, she says, "You spoke of work."

"Mm. One week out, one week back."

"When?"

"Starts Wednesday."

A nod. "Where to?"

"Out into Grass. Nebraska and back."

"Mm," she nods. Then silence.

Frank clears his throat and takes his empty glass to the kitchen to rinse out. He nods to the ladies therein.

She looks up as he goes out, then look to the 'fire again.

In the kitchen the ladies keep cleaning and take the glass from him with a nod

"Thank you." Frank heads out the kitchen door to the back of the Lodge.

OOC AFK a bit

As she hears him head out the back door, she sighs and moves to the front door. "Signe, come. Time for patrol."

Signe joins her, normally she wags, but this time it's a cautious wag. Dogs pick up on tension

Brekke bends to pet her reassuringly, and then goes out.

And out Signe goes with her.

(End Scene)