#bergen_county

Then she turns "Okay.. uhm if it's not a crisis, what's up?" She asks

Brekke moves into the ballroom with her, and shuts the door. "Please, sit." She indicates a chair for Prissy, then claims a larger, sturdier seat for herself.

She sits and grumbles "What did I Do THIS time?"

MY but wilders are whiney this year

"This time?" A blink. "Have I often called upon you to chastise you, Prissy?"

"No... but last time I got a talking to I ended up indentured to help Dirk's mom and dad for what felt liek months.. I mean, I deserved it, but geez this time I was GOOD.. ish"

True

"I have not said otherwise. I do not come because I am displeased in your behavior. Instead, I am concerned. You have made a change, shifting your attentions from Rivervale to Caer Falken. Has somebody wronged you in Rivervale?"

"Well.. I'm not allowed to Deck Jordan when he's being a bitch, but that's more annoying than really wronging me" She shrugs "So no?"

"Then...help me understand what draws you away from my barony?"

"I plead the 5th" She blushs furiously

A brow. "This is not a mortal court of law. There is no fifth to plead. Please tell me what draws a fine warrior away from my domain?"

"Ser Stevyn is.. showing me things" True! If vague

"Hm." Brekke looks at her...then looks around at the ballroom they're sitting in.

Wait, is that the edge of a ball room gown peeking out from behind a curtain as if abruptly shoved there with great speed?

Brekke looks at her again. "Prissy...are you here because Ser Stevyn is teaching you how to dance?" Said without judgment or amusement.

"No" Lieish? The nshe realizizes who she is talking to "He's not just teachimg me how to dance... there's this whole stupid bashful beloved ardent admirer thing... Dirk doesn't say it, but I worry the asshole got himself a case of the seelies. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't, but if he's gonna wanna do stuff with nobles like you, I figure I shoudl... you know, get some basics like dancing without just waving my ass behind me or like learning to eat the creme de Boolaaaay without slurping"

"Just for special events... I fart in bed just like every other real woman out there"

Brekke blinks. "You are...learning courtly graces because Dirk may be leaning seelie?" She says this quietly. She knows what a danger it is for Dirk.

"Well not like unseelie don't go to courtr... but a little so I don't embarrass him or ruin his chances of hanging ith snooty nobles like you... I mean, it's really gotten complicated right? at first I was like.. I put this guy on the pussy hook and wrap him around my finger... but he tricked me!" SHe protests "He was nice, and asked about how I was doing and not in a 'are you on your period or is it cool to screw today?' way. He actually cared about my day, and how I was doing, and what I wanted in life and stuff. What I liked. He goes for whole minutes iwthout dozing off even when I'm really boring. It's not like anyone I had before and I.. I don't know.. I worry that one one day he's gonna see some sidhe slut and go 'oo she can curtsey and i bet her farts smell like dafodils' and how am I gonna compete? I ddin't realize the stupid son of a bitch was going to make me CARE about him."

Sweet Freya, the girl makes Siv seem positively victorian

Brekke takes a long moment to choose her reply. "First, Prissy...it may be possible that, at some time, Dirk may be overwhelmed by the beauty of a sidhe -- most of us are, at one point or another. But I do not believe he would ever be interested in pursuing a sidhe romantically. And second...just how much is Ser Stevyn teaching you?"

"He says we should work on how to do the least offense and work our way up. Which I thought might be an insult but I let it slide. I remember Siv jawing away about Sir Bachdion teaching niceness and stuff so I came here and ran into O'Kourt. Took me awhile to screw up the courage but from what I heard about it, I knew he was the guy. Was pretty sure he wouldn't tell, and I KNEW he wasn't going to try anything"

"And why are you certain he would not 'try anything'?"

"Cuz he's a Fa... he only likes guys! Says it's his greatest failing as a Fiona. He can apreciaate women are beautiful, but it doesn't Potter his wand, if I'm not bieng too subtle?" She blinks at the chief

"Mm, no, I believe I understand," she mutters. Then a serious look, "Prissy, I think there may be a serious misunderstanding here. Between you and Dirk. He may have misinterpreted the secret you have been keeping."

"Wait, he noticed I was gone? And.. it worried him?" She.. smiles "Dawww.." Then she catches herself "Shit... you see what he's done to me right? I'm all.. goeey inside.. and warm and... soft and... ugh!"

She stands up and paces "Why did he have to make this deep and meaningful and intimate? "

"Hm. It is summer yet, and still strong. Do not be too dismayed. But Prissy...I think you must speak with Dirk. Explain."

"But I dont' knwo if I'm ready, of if I'll ever BE ready. And I worry I'm losing the meanness all redcaps need... "A pause "Though I do like screaming during sex extra loud so I know Symon is cringing so I guess II'm still a BIT mean huh?"

It is all Brekke can do to keep from facepalming. She clears her throat. "I do not think you have lost any of your fierceness as a fighter, and I am certain you can be cruel given the right opportunity." A pause. "Prissy, I do not think you need to continue these studies in order to keep Dirk's interest. However, I do not think you need to stop them, either, if you see value in them."

"I'll talk to Ser O'Kourt about it. And .. I'll go talk to Dirk and tell him he's stupid if he thinks I'm leaving him or something" A nod "Promise"

"Good. Please forgive me if it seems I have interfered. I was concerned I might lose not one but two strong warriors from my lands. I could not let that happen without trying to stop it."

"Thanks Chief, I kind of like busting heads for Rivervale so don't worry, I won't stop doing it that I know of."

"Good. Thank you." She stands. "I will find somebody to have Ser Stevyn return. I bid you good luck in this endeavor, Prissy." She turns to go.

And, to her relief, no new truly bizarre sayings or people issue forth here. The chief finds one of the staff... and the boggan says he'll pass the word to Ser OKourt

And so the Chieftain of Rivervale departs Caer Falken to return to her own Lodge. But one phrase keeps lingering in her mind. No, not that one.

That gives her something to chew on during her trip home.

(End Scene)

-------

Symon is a little wary as he approaches the house that Vali and Tiffany have made into a home. It's still a little too close to the 4th of the July, even midday. He sniffs the air for fresh sulfur - with an explosive-minded pooka and a nocker childling, one cannot be too cautious.

No FRESH Sulfar, no

the door opens...

And Vali peeks out

And Symon peers up. He shuffles a bit, still wearing his trademark long jeans and hoodie even in the summer warmth. "Uh. Hey, Sir Vali."

"Ah, so you've come just in time" A nod "Come on in"

He blinks, in surprise. "Did you have a vision about me? How did you know why I was here?"

"Maybe I didn't.. maybe I'm just milking my mystique. Can I get you some tea or something?"

"Uh HUH. Um. You got anything iced? It doesn't have to be old, just cold would be good."

"Iced tea I got" he offers and in they go, "What can I do for you today, Symon?" He leads Symon into a kitchen "Just you and me right now, Margiliiata is with a friend at a sleep over, and Tiff is out and about" HE pours some drinks for reach of them