#anywhere

A troubled look. "I...don't understand how whatever you agreed to could have a result like that. But...like you said, it's the Dreaming." A sigh. "Okay. So that's the stuff in the shadows. But the stuff in the lighted stalls is safer?"

"Yeah, still risky mind you. But a lot more open" he says "For example... yeah, you can find a tower there... it sells you directions to your princess. You have to fight for her... risk your life, but she is the prize to be won. It's really patriarchal. But you could die. ..but they'er honest about it. 'Hih, mid sized dragon in moat' 'large cyclopes on drawbridge' 'good luck'"

"Oooookayyyy."

She looks dubious.

"Even that's a bit of a cheat though" He snorts "Usually what it does is lead you to the girl who either already loves you, or you're a really good match for"

A bit of a grin. "Usually? Is that how you found Mom?"

"Ha." A look left, then right "Okay. You know your dad tries to be a feminist Ally right?"

"Yeah. Pink hat and all."

"Yeah..well, when I thought this place was zapping women with a love spell, or even just doing the 'right of rescue but they had to give up sex for it' I got pissed. I took the challenge to tackle it from the inside, get whatever princess and set her free with agency, then go badck and kick their ass. You know what happened?"

She's not sure she believes him so far, but it's a good story. She smiles as she says, "What?"

"They told me I'd face great numbers of enemies to get to her and to head so so direction. I did.. well, it thought numbers meant like swarms or a large army... and while there were a lot, they were also GIANT numbers. Equations that cut, got flattened by a decimel point. I could hurt them though, and I did ... broke through.. and landed outside the lodge, next to the kitchen window cut and bruised. Your mom opens the kitchen door, and there she was, my princess. I made a comment about how I fought some chimera.. she patched me up and fussed. I figure 'big whoop' yeah they got me. That is NOT the scary thing. Your mom heals me up... " A pause "And then ... ah you won't believe me"

"Oh, come on, Dad, tell me!"

She's smiling and eager for the end of the tale. "Pleeeeeeeassse?"

"Before I stumbled trhough, your mother was tackling the monthly budget for the lodge and taxes..at the same time... she heals me up, returns to the paper work and says 'huh, I dont' remember finishing this' and just lit up! Like she had gotten at least 5 hours of her life back. I think the paper work was her dragon De Jour... and the quest I took to 'save her' meant I managed to affect the mortal world. Maybe she just had a flurry of brainpower.. maybe it actualy DID fix it... but you know coincidences in the Dreaming usually have meaning. I never told your mom about that for two reasons"

"You saved her from math? Okay, that's badass. What are the two reasons?"

"one, because your mom was really proud of acing that and getting a nice refund and who am I to butt in and say 'that wasn't you, it was me' especially since I only SUSPECT it was me. Second.." A lowered voice "if your mom thought that worked, she'd send my ass back there every tax season and those numbers packed a wallop. No I'm good."

Sylvi laughs. "Okay, I have to admit I wouldn't want to face that more than once."

She gives her father a hug. "Thanks, Dad. And I promise, I won't tell Mom."

He returns the hug "Oh I'll tell her one day. See if it gets me out of trouble when i forget to take out the trash or something."

She gives his shoulder a swat. "You're awful. And besides, you're lying. You wouldn't do that."

"You and your mom, my biggest boosters and biggest ego check at the same time" A nod "Okay. Try not to get killed or something okay? I would not be able to live with myself if the Astonisharium trip went super south for you"

"I promise, I'll do my very best to avoid it." She offers him a cocky salute.

He notices the cockiness. he's seen it in the mirror . Yet another thing his wife might comment on. Looks better on her than me at least "That'll do then.Make sure it's a nice gift for her You know what she likes"

"Go on, I got another hour of Trod searching to go at least before I head home"

"I could help, if you want? I kind of owe you, for the info."

"Oh sure.. come on, get your kenning on and let's go over to the forest..sometimes where trees fork or cross you get a good entry point for a trod..."

and off they go.

(End Scene)