#bergen_county

Day after July 4th... which would be the 5th...

the lake party is not until noon ish or later

Everybody slept in or had early duties or whatever...but now it's the afternoon, and Sylvi's ready to head down to lakeside.

While there's no protocal to keep mortals at bay per se, some light chicanery in the area is in effect to veil it from those who haven't been invited. A very s ubtle magic courtesy of Zane

Sylvi discovers this when she arrives to set up, and she's surprised. "Hey, cool! Zane, you're here already?"

Zane waves "Of course." He's already got a swimsuit on, but she notices a new Necklace on him, the symbol is unknown to her, but the writing around it says “As it shall be spoken, so it shall be created”.

A light laugh, and she sets about putting out her own stuff (towel, chair, etc.) and food from the Lodge (a lot of which happens to be party leftovers, but that's cool!). She's got a long shirt on, probably only her swimsuit on underneath. "How's it going?"

"Good good" He nods "Dark Gate is not just holding, but bettering the area around it. Being the Bridge isn't easy but I do all right, with more connections to the Lodge the local kithain feel more invested and vice versa. How are you guys?"

"Well, okay. College is a thing, and...I guess I've been feeling a little disconnected from Goldfinch while I'm away. But Etsie's been doing an amazing job keeping things together."

She nods towards his chest. "What's the pendant?"

"Etsie's is like a guitar built to last" He nods "Oh this? A bit of emergency protection if there's trouble. Don't think I'll need to use it here though"

"Yeah? Can I ask what it does?" Still setting stuff up.

He moves to help her "It creates a chimera that fights for me. I will and name the shape, and it takes existence. The effect doesn't last, but think of it as Pokemon meets Tarzan"

"Sorry I'm late, broguht food" Lucia comes in, wings fluttering. The boggan sees Sylvi and grins "SYLVIIIII" cheerleader sterotype squeel

"Handy! Guess you got to concentrate really well." She hands him a container of cookies to set out.

"Lucia!!!" Matching cheer scream, and she goes to hug her, careful of the wings!

"I'm a wizard, we're all about focus" He says stealing one cookie for himself, perhaps showing focus isn't discipline, but he does put the others out

Classic high pitched hug of greets, and Lucia returns it, of course, "You look good! College going well?"

"Yeah, college is okay. You look amazing! How're things going for you?"

The boggan would sense that Sylvi would rather not discuss college, or at least would rather focus on friends today.

"My own college classes " Not the same one obviously "Are going PRETTY good. Part time so the credits will take awhile to gather. I've been doing good work as the abmassador at Caer Falken for Rivervale or so they tell me. Reminds me I should totally tell the Chief the gossip I'm hearing. Though sadly it's not like, FACTS, you know?"

"Gossip like what?" Sylvi coaxes.

Lyron and Linwood have arrived but Zane has taken it on himself to greet them, and put them to work

Sylvi waves to them, but is for the moment focusing on Lucia.

Lucia says "Well, there's this other countess there. Big news right? Kind of a semi permnanent guest. She's not like Hemlock's lover or anything, but they seem to be respectful enough and she's been given some odd jobs about the area. And yet SHE isn't the only noble moving around there with a big title. "

A frown. "Jobs like what? And who else is moving there?" I have GOT to tell the Chieftain about this.

"You ought to know her, we all ought to. Remember Alisa? She was sained at the Count's place. Like everyone guessed, she's a Gwydion. Guess what she was asked to keep secret?" Bouncing on her heels

"Oh, Alisa! Sure! What's the secret?" she says, leaning in and lowering her voice.

A whisper "She's a fucking DUCHESS"

Sylvi's eyes go WIDE. "No. Way."

"Yes, way" a nod "She got back from her Fior Righ quest too. Lots of talk about her"

Sylvi's trying to do the political calculus. "So...she's looking for a duchy to rule..." A pause. "I guess it's a good thing she had a pretty positive experience with us?"

"Yeah,but she maybe landless for life. Too big for anything available . I do know she speaks well of Rivervale, oh, and Goldfinch, which she calls a place of pride "

Sylvi grins. "Coming from a Gwydion, that's a compliment, I think. Some other nobles might say it like an insult."

"In truth? I think she wishes she were merely a knight, but I think she now sees why she often got sent to Courtly functions."

Sylvi might recall that both Sir Vali and Chief Brekke often sent her high court functions, and even let her listen in on meetings

"Talk about being a natural," she nods.

Then she blinks. "Oh! I wonder...I could probably go and get an audience with her? Maybe? As a friend? I guess the Chieftain could, too."

"Well, she's not a prisoner, at least I don't think she is, though I AM surprised she's not... well, not gone to Rivervale to let us know. Pay respects"

"I mean...duchess. That equals 'busy' right?"

"Not sure how much, she sure seems in a lot of 'conferences' "

Jimmy is... at the shore. When did he show up?

"Wait...do you think...should I invite her here? Or...I guess she'd have to bring a whole retinue, and I don't want that."

Sylvi waves to Jim...no, Jimmy, right.

"If you still have her number you could try but she mgiht have a retinue like you said" A sigh "She was trained as a warrior. I bet she resents the escorts"

Jimmy waves back!

Sylvi considers this for a moment, then takes out her phone. She still has Alisa's info (though she might have changed it since). A moment of choosing her words, and she texts.

It takes a bit and a text is returned TXT: This is Her Grace's Coordinator. She is currently on far more important matters, Holder Sylvi. And shan't be attending. We strongly discourage unapproved contact at this time. Thank you for your understanding

The fact they did that 'grace talk' on the text means they know she's a changeling. And "holder Sylvi" means they know WHICH changeling