#anywhere

Siv shoots her mother a look as the others head to their own homes and the lodge

Brekke is busy doing end-of-trip routines on the ship...stowing ropes and gear...but catches the look. "A fine docking, Siv. Well done."

"Thanks, mum. I... kind of want to apologize."

"Mm? What do you think you did that warrants an apology?"

"I've been.. well, trying to knuckle down and take up the slack what with..whatever is going with Jessica. But I resented being left out...even though I know it's not about me...but on top of that, my birthday got skipped and.. well, I wondered what I had done to upset you and da so? Well, obviously no one is going to rip out an entire date just because my birthday is on it. I'm not that important. And...well, i SHOULD feel bad that such weirness is a relief but...I should know you and da wouldn't do that"

Brekke sighs and takes a seat on one of the rowing benches. "Siv...come sit with me."

She sits and sighs "is there were you tell me despite my best efforts to be extra good it didn't come across that way?"

A surprised blink. "Hardly. I want to tell you that your father and I believe you deserve a make-up birthday for the one we missed or have forgotten. And also...that if you ever think we are trying to express disapproval with you but not saying it, then we probably are not doing it intentionally. You have lived with us your entire life, Siv...and though much of that time is lost to the Dreaming, I think you will find that we would never punish you without telling you why." A pause. "And you are right that there are things going on with Jessica that we cannot yet share with you. That is not in any way a failing on your part."

"She's my sister, and I love her. If she's in trouble I want to help. " SIv says "Instead I get the feeling somehwo I would make it worse, not just anyone make it worse ME specific. ANdthat..." Embarrassed "That hurts. I guess I'm being self absorbed. I just hate being shut out of the family circle. " At the mention of the family make over "That's..that's dandy, but let me make sure I don't have some gifts stored away I just don't remember getting"

"Siv...you should not get involved yet. But I think that in time you will certainly be involved. Try to be patient. And...yes, check if you have a room full of new treasures."

A forlorn look "Sometimes I think the patient gene skipped me. Because the past few weeks have felt like forever. Just.. tell me, is it getting better for Jessica? A little? Don't gloss it to make me feel better, please"

"Oh, Siv...I think perhaps yes. But I do not think it is a simple progression, not for her, not for any of us. Life is complicated that way."

"I hear you. It's like how i want to roam a lot, but try not to because it worries dad. So you trust me to roam, and because I want to be worthy of that trust, I have to be cautious in using it...it's a contradiction, but still true." her brow knits "How's dad? THe Devil's curse? It shook you both I think?"

"It bothers us both, but...but we will find a way to avoid that outcome. I trust that all will be well."

"I ... does this mean I shouldn't marry? If it will protect dad. I mean, I wasn't planning on it anytime oh, ever at this rate but for dad..." A certain nod

Brekke frowns. "Siv...I do not want that thought to be a burden for you. No, you should not rush to marry. But...if you do wish to do so someday, we will find a way. And before that...we will see if there is some way to undo the Devil's words. You will help look, yes?"

Siv nods "Helping my family is what I want to be able to do," she says a note of relief "If I can't help my family? what's the point of me at all?"

Brekke puts an arm around her. "The point of you is you. You matter, Siv King, and not simply for the service you provide or the loyalty you show. You are a creature of the Dreaming, as we all are, and the Dreaming would be that much less without you."

A blush of purple "Thanks, mom. I..i know it's shallow but I really needed to hear that. Sometimes I think I'm ...just, sometimes my fear is things would better if I weren't. I seem to rub folks wrong. I don't mean to."

A frown. "Whom do you 'rub wrong'?"

"Oh, seems Jessica at least once , Sylvi I THINK but it's been a bit. Symon gave me a glare on the ship, though I'm not sure what for. Lord knows Dagmar can get prickly....but I have brought it out myself. I Just... sometimes I feel like folks want me 'out of the way' and...honest n truth mom, I so want to run to the Kestrel and oblige them. Head..somewhere where I won't be such a burden"

A serious look. "Siv...is it possible...just possible...that those looks and moods might have nothing to do with you? That others may be thinking of unrelated concerns in your proximity?"

"Aye. I considered that, but of late, it sure seems like it. I didn't think I was that vain."

A pause. "If I have been part of that problem, my daughter, I am sorry. I have been preoccupied, it is true, but I never find you an inconvenience or a burden."

"Thanks, mom. Mostly It's just... I don'tk now, maybe I do try to make things about me. I want to be a part of everything, you know? So maybe I do press too close to what's not my affairs."

A sigh and a furrow of her brows. "I am trying to remember...."

"The date? No one remembers, mom. And I know that's not about my birthday. Like I said, I'm not that important." She does muse "Wonder why someone would need a day out of a month?"

"No, Siv. I am trying to remember if this is how I felt when I was seventeen. After all...it was a very long time ago."

"But yes...we need to find out if those who stayed at the Lodge also lost the day."

"You?" A bit of a smile "I keep imagining you as a rock at 17? Brushing it off, with that unflappable look. If they're striking meat , you don't let them get the satisfaction of letting them see you bleed. Too cool to care about being cool which is what would make you cool. I wish I could do that" Envy

"Ah. No. That is very much not how it was, my daughter."

"Huh. Well, it's your own fault for becoming a legend then. " bit of humor? "no one wants to thinmk the warrior princess started out in a corner of a locker room chewing her own hair hoping no one would see her for another half hour?"

A bit of a wry grin. "Now you have more of a sense of it." Then a sigh. "I am sorry you are finding your interactions with the others difficult...but I do not think you are doing badly. You are a strong-minded young woman, Siv, and a good-hearted one at that. And...I do not think Bancroft sees you as a burden."

A blush "Oh my. Poor Bancroft"

"Oh?"

"I was going to see him..after the party." A blush

"Ohhh. Oh, I see. And...he has not contacted you since?"

"Actually, he had. Though none of it was 'hey where were you' but he must be feeling a bit confused." Sheepish "Boys, unlike we girls, can be very neurotic about a stop in social contact" Firm nod, faux sincerity heavy on the faux

A bit of a wry grin. "Whereas women rise above? Well...I think you need to contact him. And if you would like me to speak with him, to explain our shared experience, I will be glad to do so."

"Actually" She says "I was thinking I need to ask him if he had a 17th, because if it affected teaneck too, things just got spookier"

"But uhm.."A blush "Thanks, mom. For the offer"

"You are welcome. The offer stands. Go and call him, Siv."

"Thanks, Mom. This may not take long actually." She kisses her mom on the cheek, then "NOt to make you worry, but I want to visit Firnost later. I'll carry my phone and check in regular."

"You have not had enough adventuring today? Well...it is fine with me, but do check in, as you say. And...be wary."

"Oh not tonight, mom, just soonish. And I will when I do and I'll let you know" Siv says, taking out her cellphone then.."And, thanks again. Mom I ..." A nod "I'm glad I have parents who listen . Just don't blame yourselves when you don't understand me. It's no secret, I don't even understand meself" A wink and she walks off texting

"Siv, I am glad to listen, but you must let me know when you need to talk. You held on to this too long. Now, go." An encouraging nod. "And send him my greetings."

She does.

----------

Meanwhile, in the lodge, Sylvi has finished her shower, she had blood on her so she needed to get clean, right? Dressing in her PJs, she hears a knock on her door

She sets her sheathed knife on her dresser before saying "Come in?"