#darkgatefortress

"How I treat my subjects , treating them well I mean, is also enlightened self interest. It keeps chances of rebellion down, and more, it glorifies me. I always meant to be a good leader. Actually falling in love, that's thrrown a kink into things" and she sighs "Suddenly MY ambition isn't top center any more. And ... I really LIKE the folks at Silverwolf, Calanthe aside. You've met Marigold. She's a gem. And Briar is a horrid beast but if folks would just let her be the nightmare she is they'd find her quite adorable. Bluebell is.. oh she's gentle and graceful as a soft summer breeze. I could go on. They each have their stories and I find myself wanting to help EACH find their own happy ending in time. It's become an infection" Distaste "I fear my dreams of tyrant hood are quite tarnished by compassion without even vanity as an excuse"

Sylvi grins. "Kind of exactly what I meant. You get them, far better than Calanthe does, I think. And yeah, you're right...Calanthe is exactly who I thought you were going to end up being, when I first met you. So...I'm glad it doesn't seem to be going that way."

"Any more progress with Aiden and that whole...situation?"

Mmm "Well we agree Calanhe's rule would be a horror show for the commoners" A nod, then she smiles "Aiden and I are.. openly courting. Holding hands at picnics may seem tame, but it's terribly romanntic"

Sylvi grins. "You know this is the third time you've told me." A wink. "I'm glad you're happy. So...um...you thinking about holding more than hands any time soon?"

A groan at that and she collapses into a seat "oh Sylvi, you can't imagine how much I ACHE for it. I thought MEN were supposed to be the ones who wanted to jump into bed, but his pace is.. slow, cautious, and I understand why, it is new ish to him. I feel like a she wolf being asked to herd a ram as if I were a collie. I try to keep the pace, let him graze... when all I want to do is devour him entire"

"I mean, it's not completely new to him. He did father a child." Then a thought. "Connor is his only child, right?"

"Yes" She says "And not new but... he was broken hearted by her losss. I will always walk by Dahlia's shadow I think.. and I understand and accept that. She seemed to have been a wonderful woman"

Sylvi looks at her a long moment. "Any further thoughts about her possibly still being around?"

"I'm readinng the letter she left, slowly... I have an idea...one I don't know if it can be done on a gghost, or if it's just cruel. " A breath "Soveriegn"

"Yeah. Maybe." A pause. "Mind you, you know there are other ways." A pointed look.

"You mean, trust a sluaggh to trust a varich?" A brow "or are you so powerful in spring magics onw you can bringg her to life for an hour?"

"I...don't think I can do that, no." She shakes her head. "But if it's about justice for a dead kinain? Possibly done-in by an Ailil? I think we know a couple of sluagh who might be willing to look into it." She gets a thoughtful look.

A bit whiney "I don't wannna owe symon"

"I don't mean Symon."

"He's hteo nly sluah I come CLOSE to trusting" She says

Sylvi blinks at that.

"Well...then how about if I owe Symon?"

She refills coffee "Don't tell him I said that."

"Well, then I'll owe you I suppose " Unsure.. "Let me think about it?"

"Okay...but don't stall too long. We're on the way to Samhain, and I feel like things aren't going to be so romantic for you soon if you don't get some resolution on this."

"Shit. You migght be right" And the girls sip their coffee as they ponder the samhain clock

(End scene, for now)