#anywhere

"yes. the thing I have to remember is that neither of my sons is a boggan. Sluagh and redcaps arrre a bit.. troubling to guess, romance wise. But, of course, with Symon's choice being 'no' well, I suppose it's just Dirk I nneed worry about. he's a surprising sensitive boy" She ponders "Keep ann eye out for him will you?"

She nods. "Of course I will. Like you said, he's a good boy." A pause. "I could talk to Prissy, point out the possibility of a closing window of opportunity...but I'm wondering if that's a lesson she needs to find out the hard way."

"I'm wondering the same. I won't stop you if you think that's the way to go. In a way, it's the reverse of wha's going on wih your daughtter and Colton"

A blink. "It's...what?"

"Oh, sorry, it's just so obvious that I.." She chuckles "Oh righht. some days I forget you're not a boggan" Clearly meant as a compliment "Coltton's a fine young man, he loves and adores your daughter but... well, you know how she feels about Him, of course"

"Well, I thought I did. Why did you say 'but' there?"

"Well, she clearly loves him, and whenever they'rre together she enjoys his company, and I suspect your daughter has a healthy libido.. pardon.. but... she has gold finch now, and her old friends back, and she's increasingly independent. What's more, I think she likes this balance, family and friends but on her terms, and no shame in that. But much as she loves Colton, he's not the center of her universe, ineed, he's further out of orbit than ever. "

Kerri listens attentively...and then nods slowly. "I suppose...yes...I guess I," she frowns. "I guess I've been so glad to see her growing as a freeholder and and a leader and...well...I've been so glad to have her here. I haven't really been considering poor Colton's side of it much recently." A guilty expression.

"Nonsense, you'e not at fault., here's the thing, he honors that respects that. He LOVES her. But, he's terribly lonely, and I don't mean romantically. He outranks all but 3 people at Darkgate. he is Storm. he is the squad leader. What he isn't is 'one of the guys'. he can't be there, save perhaps with Zane. And, of course, he worries he's not there enough for Sylvi or tthat he and Sylvi might drift apart. He SHOULD tell Sylvi he gets lonely sometime, not to guilt her, but so she'll be able to assure him she's happy and willinngg to text and talk about thihngs besides smoocy emojis. He does't have to be strong for her all the time. And... I suspectt the cure for that is Olgar"

as if all of this were obviouss

She blinks. "Olgar?"

"Olgar. Who has a life time of experience being away for extended periods of time, but makes every moment with the woman he loves count. Who came to an understanding with that woman how tto turn seemingly opposing duties not into a tug of war, but a waltz. Now your husband sings your praises so much I sometimes wonder if he owes you money "A light tease "But really, unseelie or not, you have to admit the man has juggled his duty and passion for his work while still being there for you when you truly needed him. He glories in how strong and independent you are, while somehow becoming a source of extra strength for you. Colton is a fine young man, but he lacks experience on how to make that passion, that love even more precious and positive for the moments apart"

Kerri thinks about that a minute. "Well...the difference is, I think, that I really wasn't looking for a commitment from him, not at first. But...well, yes, you're right. And yes, he probably could help Colton know how to deal with loneliness when apart." A pause. "Suppose I could, too."

"I suppose you could" A sip "But young men often are skitish about romance advice from we ladies. "

A grin. "Okay, fair point. So...I'll give Olgar a tip about the topic, and to look for an opportunity to discuss it. Thank you, AnneMarie."

"glad I could help... now, speaking of gossip..." she jumps into talk of one of the dames at Caer Falken, the same one who scoffed at Siv's relationsihps with two... "Well, I happen to know SHE was caught in a diaper with a redcap she refered to in her passion as 'Big Daddy'. NOW, i won't judge, but if she's going to talk judgey smack..."

"Ohhhh...I've definitely got mixed emotions about that. I mean, to each their own, but...she deserves some derision." The Hearth does get a bit vengeful about those who do her daughter wrong.

"At least a reminder of her own hypocrasy" A nod

"Well...I'm going to let you use your best judgment on how to spread that particular bit of news."

"FAIR... but sometimes being nice builds up on me so when a target for my pent up ire volunteers" A sheepsih smile "Okay, nicer gossip, one of my dreamers is pregnant..."

(Fade to juicy but nicer gossip?) 🙂

(Fade, indeed) 🙂