#rivervale_lodge

"Help?"

"Well, you know the role of Mountain. You're experienced. Perhaps if you took on a few of the tasks, it could ease up the pressure a bit."

"Mmm." Frank sips his drink "No. I have work coming up. It would not coincide."

She tilts her head. "Perhaps when you're available, though...you could offer to help him? I think he'd appreciate it."

"Perhaps, yes."

"Then, with your permission, I'll encourage him to ask you if he needs help. He can get stubborn and bull-headed, sometimes."

"Kerri..... I am not the Mountain. Nor will I be. I am away, for weeks. I cannot serve Rivervale as such."

"Frank...you have been Mountain. You know the work. You will be here sometimes. Sometimes you can help Mountain Vali." Just as firm.

"No. Thank you."

She regards him a long moment.

"Well. That's disappointing." She finishes her cider.

"Sorry."

Another look at him. "You know I wouldn't ask if I thought you incompetent, or if I didn't think Vali needed the help."

"Mmmm"

"Maybe...could you encourage him to appoint some new Pillars?" Then she sighs with frustration. "That's a double-edged sword, as he'd have to supervise them."

"I will do what I can."

A grateful look. "Thank you, Frank. I do appreciate it."

She indicates his glass. "Refill your cider?"

"No, thank you."

She nods and rises. If his glass is actually empty, she offers to take it along with her own.

Less than half full - he's good.

"I'll clean this up, then I'll take Connor upstairs and put him to bed." She heads into the kitchen.

"Nnnnnn." He mumbles. "Not bed!"

A jaw-splitting yawn, and Connor shakes free of the blanket.

"Gotta bake a scrumble."

Kerri comes back in. "Okay, champ. Bedtime." She offers to carry the sleepy pooka upstairs.

"But I gotta bake a piieee for Daaagmar."

Perhaps a touch of a whine invading his tone, he cannot quite help it. His eyelids belie being very tired.

Yup, he's scooped up easy as can be. "Tomorrow. Pastries and pies tomorrow." Up the stairs they go.

And soon enough, Connor is cozy in bed and dreaming of apple goodies.

HUFF. Puff!" A fuss threatened, then it fades with an idea. "Apple pancakes!" And he conks out again. Will he remember in the morning? Either way, he will have sweet dreams.

(Fade to dreams of apple pancakes)