#bergen_county

"I can't make him leave the dreaming but I can send him to the area closest to an exit." A nod "Good idea. Makes me feel useful knowing that. "

"So...no, they don't say we need her, but you're the third person to suggest that they think I should ask her. It's just...I mean...it's already a big team...." Then another sigh. "But, once we figure out where we need to go, she can sure get us there in the blink of an eye if there's water close. So...it makes sense."

"Okay, I think, and this is just guessing they were in the same head space I was, but my thought was 'she's back' so why not? But you've got your reasons. So , don't just tell me how everyone is right and you're wrong- Since when does Sylvi Davidson just bow to popular opinion? Why did you want her out of this one? Oh.. and her ship? Not as precise in the Dreaming. So it's not AS useful"

Somehow Gerd has gotten them drinks. One of Sylvi's favs

Sylvi takes the drink with a muttered, "Thanks," sips, then looks out the window for a few moments. "Okay, so...I didn't think of Siv when I started planning. So I guess part of it is that I feel bad that I didn't think of her. But the other part of it is...well...she's like all official and stuff, now. Y'know...Lady Captain Siv ap Fiona. It's like...well..." She pauses. "I can't explain it."

"I think it's like, if she came along, she'd end up in charge or something. So...I guess it's just me being stupid. Forget it. I'll ask her."

"You're not being stupid. " She says "For one thing, Siv JUST Came back. You've had what, months where she's not been in the circle, not that she wouldn't love to be, but she couldn't be. So not thinking of her? Not so bad. Happens." Gerd sips her own drink "Second... there are reasons to leave her behind. Third? You absolutely shouldn't take her along if you think she's going to try to lead this. Because she's not the leader you are. Her title is nice, glad she's all Fionay.. yay her.. she's still NOT a leader, you are. I think, and JUST a theory, ONE of the reasons you don't want her along is to protect us from getting confused and following her off a well intentioned cliff. Not that Siv would ever do that, but you can have a input, you can't have confusion in direction"

"Mmmmaybe?" She frowns in thought. "That might be it. I mean...I don't think I really thought of it that way consciously, but...it rings true, you know? Not that that's what she'd do, but that that's something I'd be worried she'd do."

"Ugh...she'd hate it if word of this got back to her, so please don't tell her I said any of this?"

"Maybe you should talk to her," Gerd says "It's clearly something. .. I think I got a part of it. But this isn't going to go away on it's own is it? What happens at the next quest? or whatever?"

Shrug. "What are the chances that the next quest will be something I'm in charge of. I got asked to do this. It's the exception."

That gets a roll of eyes

"Sylvi, you've always been a leader. You'vre got the right mix of charisma, smarts, community concern, and a smidge of ego" Gerd says "Whatever mission you're on... did you whip it out of your own butt, or... as I ssuspect, did someone ask for YOUR help? Deal with it girl, you're a leader.. folks trust you to know your shit.. and they're right"

She pouts.

"I got asked. And I've got this. I know I do." She doesn't sound all that enthused. "Don't worry about it. This isn't a big thing, it's just a thing. It'll pass."

"Right" Gerd pulls out her phone and dials , setting it on Speaker

And the phone picks up "Hey, Gerd! What's up?" Siv's voice

Sylvi's jaw drops. "You little...."

"Hey, Siv, " Gerd says "BIGGEST news. Hush Hush intel. Sylvi is getting a quest going, super secret. "

"Yeah? Where we going?" Siv says

Before Sylvi can answer , Gerd says "I maybe going nowhere.. I mean, I'm finally old enough to hit these so I'm trying to get her to take me along. But you know how Sylvi is.. she wants to make sure the Grumps arent' stuck doing all the patrols. And we need someone who might run interference here at home. I want to be in the field for once so... "

For her part, Sylvi is glaring...but she sees where this is going, so she just lets Gerd keep on.

"Oh" Siv says "Okay. I admit it. I'd love to along but I think I see what you're asking. Earn my title by getting my ass on the patrol while you guys hit the dreaming? Oh you will so owe me. I'd love to join you guys again feels like forever"

The guilt is almost palpable.

"Yeah, but You're the knight with the training and the ship that can subusstitue for my flicker flash loss so... you knnow, you joined the Lion club, you have to stick on the savanah a bit. I'm working hard to convince Sylvi to take me"

"Hey, hey, Sylvi knows quality. She knows you're not a little kid anymore. She'll show you the ropes like she did me. Sure sure" a pause "But you do owe me. Want me to speak to Sylvi on your behalf? "

"Nah.. it's good" Gerd says "She's pretty reasonable"

A wry look.

"Hey, listen to what she says okay, Gerd. She's a major killjoy on some missions but she's also right a lot. REALLY irritating. So if she says no, it's probably on the no list for a reason" a sigh "Tell me more details if you can later?"

"If I can. thanks, Siv" Gerd says. And they hang up

Gerd looks at Sylvi, "tadaa"

"Thanks," she says flatly. "You're an evil mastermind. Symon thinks he's got that title, but it's really you. Now I've got to look her in the face and pretend I didn't just hear all that."

"Hear what?" A look of pure sugar for about five seconds, then she says "She praised your leadership, told me to listen to you. So you are indeed welcome? or what is there a problem?"

"I was gonna handle it," she insists. "But...thanks."

A deep breath. "So...yeah, okay. I'll...uh...text you some details tomorrow."

"Oh you two should still talk but now you have time to suss over where you sit. Now, I can't ask the Hearth about this, obviously, but you know your mom well. On a scale of one to ten ...how Hearth worthy was that play?"

Eager for evaluation

"Mom's not that shady." A pause. "I mean...not that I know of."

"Or she is, but so good at it none of us know" She steeples her fingers and lets the shadows fall across her face, "Okay, yeah she's probably not. But I work with my strengths. " A pause "Really pulled a Symon huh? Wow." Pleased.

Sylvi rolls her eyes, but ends up grinning. "Yeah, you're devious. You're welcome." A sigh. "Okay...time to move forward on this. So, Gerd...thanks."

"You're welcome" A grin back "And just a bit of something Vali DID teach me right. If you have a gut reaction to something? There's normally a reason and it might just be right to follow it. Don't be ashamed of your instincts as long as you examine them. You're good at what you do... Emmisary Killjoy"

"Hey, don't push it, Evil Genius, or I'll find a way to spread a rumor that you wear unicorn onesie pajamas."

"Only when I'm really feeling down" Loftily "now go, do your leader thing and mock not the Unicorn onsies"

A brief exasperated sigh...then a quick hug. "I'll be in touch. Thanks, Gerd."

A hug "Welcome." And she lets her go

And go she does.

(End Scene)