#darkgatefortress

She glances at him again as she finishes, but then back to the Chieftain.

"Damn. I do love weapon smithing" The Dougal cheif says "So Storm and I are for this, Bridge against it as is hearth.. atl east the weapon and armor oufitting. However, no one wants to close them off entire" He considers "I am fond of one of the thanes. Which would normally be o one's business" A warnning growl in his throat "But it may affect my judgement so I'll muse this over. Bridge, you mention the Chancellior as a threat. That complicates things. Anyway you can learn more of her while the Mountain tries her portents?"

Sylvi blinks as the Chieftain admits he's got a thing for a SilverWolf thane and narrowly keeps herself from giving an awwwww grin. Instead, she clears her throat. "Yes, Chieftain. I'm not sure if you know Baroness Nadeen. She is relocating up here to become a part of SilverWolf barony. I'm pretty sure that she'll let me know more about what's going on there if I ask. Ah...which brings up another thing I need to discuss with you, but not sure if it's appropriate for this meeting."

"We'll we're about done so .. " A look around "Anyonen else?"

"No, I'll get to a few omens and such and get back to you" the Mounntain bows

"I have a big diner to celebrate our newest arrival" The Hearth nods "I want to show the Bridge our meals even match Rivervale's"

The Storm says "I still think outfitting them will help us more than it risks us but that's not something I need to repeat and it's your choice, Chieftain." He says "I'll set up patrols."

"Then.. off with you three, you've done well" The Chief nods "And please, my personal affairs , beyond the way tthey affect my rule, are just that." A warning brow

Marsellies nnods/ Colton dare not smile. /Wildheart says "Permission to go awww? Chief?"

"Denied" He says

She swallows her smile but her eyes twinkle, and ..then , suddenly, it's just the Chief and Sylvi

Sylvi sneaks a grin at Wildheart at that as the Mountain goes, and she tries to catch Colton's eye before he leaves to gauge just how annoyed he is. But then it's just her and the Chieftain. "I could take the oath before we talk if you like, Chieftain."

Colton actually gave her a head tilt as if to say 'it's good'

which is a rleief

"Nay lass. " The Chief says "I dragged you into this, did I not? You'll take the oath when it's prepared proper so it allows for your loyalty to Rivervale and such. I'm a man of my word there. Now what's this you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, Chieftain...the last time we spoke about this, you suggested that maybe I should keep track of a property off-site to use as sort of a diplomatic location?" She ends it as a question to make sure they're on the same page.

"Just so" he nods "Been looking into a few"

"Well, I mentioned Baroness Nadeen before. She suggested a property that is about half-way between DarkGate and SilverWolf. It's over 20 acres, it has stables and so on, and the house has some good space. It probably needs work, but we certainly know a range of skilled people. She's thinking she could split the cost with DarkGate, so it both her residence and our diplomatic location. I'm not sure what you think of that...but I think it has possibilities on a number of fronts."

"Do you like the idea?" He asks her "And the property?"

"Well, I..." she hesitates. "The property is good. It's not what I was thinking of, but it makes sense, especially if you are trying to form alliances with DarkGate. The more our interests are interwoven with the interests of their people, the more likely they'll find reasons to work with us rather than against us."

"Sounds like a matter of external relations. Tell you what, you get the Bridge's approval on this, and I support it 100 percent"

There's a flicker of humor in his eye

"I...uh..." She blinks, then grins. "Bridge approves, Chieftain."

"I thought she mgiht" He smiles "I wanted you in part for your diplomatic expertise and for your good sense at feeling folks out. Now the room you've go here.. as you saw, is small, and frankly more of an office with a bed in it. It will be more secure for your notes or other things you might not trust at the house. This Nadeen lass sounds fine, but having a failsafe is nice. And frankly I hope your house you two are ggetting DOES need fixing up. Make Wudlig's day to help you with a secret passage or some not"

Sylvi beams. "Honestly, Chieftain, that little room is perfect for here, and I can store my things at the house. I'll let Nadeen know. We could probably expand to add a little extra rustic cabin on the same property, for those who want an even more private getaway now and then," she points out, completely innocently, of course.

"A getaway?" And there it is.. that mix of Dougal and troll guy cluelness in some social matters.

"It's not that far, not much of a ..." A pause, the little sconce over his skull finally catching fire, "Oh.. ah. hhmm yes"

"Yes that might be handy to consider"

Sylvi graciously does not indicate that she noticed the penny dropping. "So, I'll let you know the details about that. Thank you, Chieftain. Unless you need me for anything else, I'm going to set up my things."

"You're free to go, but make time to consult with the mountain for hte most effective wordingn to that oath when you can.. ANd yes, talk to Baroness Dancingsnow."

"Yes, Chieftain, thank you. I'll give her your regards." A salute, and she turns to go.

Once outside the room, she leans against the wall for a second. "Whew." She looks to Flopsy. "I'm in it now, huh."

Floppy says "Yes. And I fear a part of you enjoys that" He nuzzles "But I like you anyway" Whiskers tickling "You'll be fine"

She crouches down to give him a quick hug, and then says, "Okay, let me get my stuff sorted out, and I need to text Nadeen, I wonder if she's awake yet. Ooooh, I wonder where she woke up...." she adds with a grin as she heads back to her room. "Also need to text my folks, let them know what's up." Colton's got his work right now...so I won't bug him right away.

So much to do! But.. she's here! And.. she's mattering already!

(End scene)

Sylvi has unpacked her things into the drawers in the room assigned to her, has sent her texts, and is...here. And here isn't home. But...it's going to be okay. Yup.

A deep breath, and she goes in search of Colton, unsure of where he would be on duty right now.

She finds him issuing orders but it looks like he's just finished doing that "Remember to ken everyone who is on gate guard for more than 13 hours straight"

He turns and smiles "Settled in yet?"

"For now, yeah," she comes closer as the others disperse. More quietly, she says, "Thirteen-hour shifts?"

"We look for very dedicated trolls, some of them are TOO dedicated and since we're understaffed at times try to take double shifts. I don't like it but sometimes it's needed," he explains "We aren't risking fel influence again if we can help it"

"No, I get it, it's just...that's a lot, even for dedicated trolls. So...recruitment is a thing." She nods, making her own mental list of things-to-do. "So...you're okay about the meeting this morning?"

Colton looks a her, then considers his answer carefully "Do I think I am right, and you were wrong? Of course. But you probably think the reverse. Was I irked more about it because I like having you in my corner? If I was.. it was only for a second and unworthy of me. And then I got weirdly proud." He admits and smiles "I thought you might be a bit nervous, and timid you is not who the chief, who ANY of us need. Instead you gave your own take, used your own judgement and started rolling. MY first day as storm? I felt like I had forgoten how to BREATHE"

She reaches to take his hand, blushing slightly. A shrug. "I got asked my opinion. Talking is easy. I just hope that it'll go that smoothly when I get asked to actually do a thing."

He gives a squeeze "I could ask you to give me a kiss. You know, just to see how you handle action"

She smiles. "Oooh, big pressure. I might faint. Let's find out." She moves closer to give him a light but lingering kiss.

Savoring it, light but lingering, when it ends, he seems to consider, then says "I see what you mean... you're a bit off your game" but his eyes are laughing

She pouts and hits him (lightly) in the shoulder. "Rude."

He gives the obligatory 'ow' (Despite the lightness) "Good thing no Gwydion was around. Might make their heads explode"