#bergen_county

"I think."

"You think?" mmms

She fidgets and frowns.

"I dunno. I guess. I'm not..."

"I'm probably not doing enough. I dunno."

Siv leads Dagmar further from the others but does not pester just.. listening "Not doing enough?"

"Girlfriend stuff? I dunno."

She looks away, cheeks flushed, embarrassed or ashamed.

"is this about pacing? You know, how fast two people go?"

Mumble. "Don't wanna talk about this."

"Okay." Siv says "Don't talk. I'll talk. My mom... she's a badass. She's a legend. She's a good person. " as if out of the blue "You are a lot more like my mom than I am. I'm learning that. Well, my mom did not do a lot of things until later in life. And now she's a chieftain, a storm, a happy wife with a great spouse, and two awesome daughters. Maybe you're not wrong, or broken, or doing anything wrong. Maybe you're like my mom in that way too. And that's okay"

She sort of shrugs.

A pause "I know Tove is your mom, but maybe you SHOULD talk to my mom? She'll be just as uncomfortable as you are but she cares. And she might relate more. And, yes, there's alwways the Hearth. Aunt Kerri has more of her shit together than I fear any three of us EVER Will, but you are allowed to seek their wisdom. It's like you? You're stronger than most of us, but you are willing to lend that strength. They have wisdom, and they're willing to lend IT. Same thing, same team. "

"It's... there's nothing to talk about. Don't wanna talk about it."

"It was a long time ago."

"The heart does not know time" Siv says "But .. enough about that for now. NOW I get you to work with hammering. Put that muscle to use. Hammerstrike! Sides," A whisper "The more help I get, the less likely this is to look like a ship in the trees"

"A ship in the trees could be cool."

"yeah? I thought so too but I didn't want to..well, I tend to get a bit obsessed" HER turn to blush

Shrug.

"But could you help us hammer? Get the platform ?And do you have ideas? I kind of think I want it so folks odn't see it unless they have really good eyes like your dad, or get close. To make it look like it's part of the forest?"

"...Sure?"

"I mean, I love ships, but I dont' want to draw attention , not just because some folks don't want a love shack but because we don't need too many mortals nosing around if they hike in the area. So we're gonna grow a leafy canopy when it's done" She leads Dagmar back to the House in operation "Also, you made As in shop. Your mom works wood. Ah.. you're better at this than Jonas or I . So your muscle AND your brain would be of great help"

"Well... I guess. And this will need some solid bracing..."

"It's got to hold trolls" She nods "And I don't want the bracing to hurt the trees. So our plan is to use shape shifting magics to line things up, when the cantrip ends it reverts back in place, this time providing the strength an support"

"I.. don't get it? But okay."

"I'm not explaining well. Jonas will use big words and confuse us both" She says

"...bet Sylvi could help shore up the tree. She has Spring."

A frown "Sylvi seems to be avoiding me lately. Or maybe I'm just imagining"

"I think you're imagining."

She looks relieved "Good. I guess. I don't remember doing anything to piss her off so.. where were.. oh yes. Spring. Yes. Though Klump has some magics that do much the same"

Shrug.

"Well, maybe asking her would be nice if you're worried about drifting apart."

"you mean, just tell someone how I feel, blurt out my concerns in the open like that?" Siv says

"Um."

"I mean... asking her to help would be nice?" Flustered. "I dunno. I was trying to help."

"I'll ask her to help. You're right" A nod

"Sorry." Hammer.

"For being right?" A snort "Don't apologize for that."

And hammering and work continues