#darkgatefortress

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Time passes!

And the Chief can be found in the Smithy

Sylvi pauses outside the Smithy door. Her mouth is dry and she's trying to find that cheerleader confidence.

A deep breath...shoulders back...and she knocks loudly on the door.

"Come in, come in... Just arranging tools"

She enters. "Good morning, Chieftain," she says with a salute.

"Bridge Sylvi, how are you?" The Chieff asks "News on the theatre?"

"Ah...not since my last report. I need to check in with Sully today. I'm just back from Rivervale," she reminds him. Then, "Do you need help with the tools, Chieftain?" Okay, it may be a stall....

"No lass, you'd just put them in a slightly different but sensible order and my good eye would twitch as if you'd commited a great sin. Dougals are a bit like hearths in that WE know where our tools belong , and all others are getting it wrong"

a grin

That gets a smile. "Well, some hearths don't mind teaching people where things go and how to use them," she points out with a wink. "But point taken."

"Ah...anything interesting while I was away?"

"Aye, well, there was some good things in my life personally but I'll naught bore you. Let's just say even this chieftain has a life outside of the hold" A smile "and it's good that is so"

Is that an opening as wide as a mac truck?

"That doesn't sound boring at all, Chieftain!" Ooooh, gossip???

"Ah, but, not for casual talk. Now how is Rivervale?"

"It's good. The locals are doing okay, and the Lodge is secure. There are...some changes coming up, but...well, like you say, not for casual talk, yet." A pause and a bit of a fidget. "I...do need to talk to you about something, though, Chieftain. A situation, I guess, kinda."

"Now lass, if you have something you need to say, be bold to say it. I'm no dainty flower"

"No, Chieftain, you're not...but I might be," she says quietly, and her cheeks color. A swallow. "I...may have made a mistake, Chieftain. When I agreed to stay here as Bridge, I don't think I really realized that the world would open up again...and I'd be missing my senior year."

A frown crosses his features "Surely lass, you did not think it would be all fun and games, here of all places?"

"No, Chieftain. I didn't think that. I think, though, that I thought I'd be more ready for it." She bites her lip, then squares her shoulders again. "I've done good work here, Chieftain. And...I'll keep doing good work. But...I'm hoping you will agree to allow me to divide my time between here and Rivervale for the remainder of my Oath." She quickly adds, "It's not just about me. At least, that's what I'm told. There's kind of a leadership vacuum among the wilders." Another blush.

A brow "And .. did the Chief or other elder mention this problem to you?"

She hesitates a moment. "My father," she admits, conscious of the bias.

"The rover?" A scratch of his chin "I've talked to your father, unseelie and not above guile but he's neer struck me as a manipulator. Do you believe he's bending the truth for your sake or for his sake in having you visit more?"

"I wondered that, Chieftain," she admits. "And I can't deny it's a possibility. But if so, he's still being consistent with what I'm hearing from some of Rivervale's wilders."

"I cannot say I'm pleased" The Chieftain answers after considering it "There's an oath involved and this smacks of ..working about it. ANd yet, that very oath does mention that if Rivervale has need, all bets are off. you could have easily made it sound as if it was even more dire than it was... but instead you admit that some things could be as may be. Damn. You have been quite a shot in the arm around here... and I realize you're asking for a long commute, not a stop to all your efforts here. " He ponders "How am I to make up for the times when you cannot be here or wil lbe behind?"

She bites her lip as he speaks, her color rising again as he mentions working around the oath. But at the final question, she says, "I'd like to start training an assistant Bridge, or an apprentice. You'll need somebody else who can take on these duties if necessary," she points out reasonably. "If you have somebody in mind, just as you selected me, I could start working with them now, and they could help field issues when I'm not available."

"Mm well, the Hearth has three or four 'of the hearth' types under him. The storm leads the bulk of the soldiers. Wildheart hasn't taken on an apprentice but she has the right to. I suppose you would as well. Aye, that would work. Present who you like and If I like him or her, you can have them shore up your effort. " A nod " I'll do you further, the more help you get for us, the more their time helps take off your year and a day, so if so and so helps for a week, that's a week off your oath and i'd release you early. Fair?"

She blinks. "I...if you're certain, Chieftain? Then...yes, absolutely!"

"Oh don't be so surprised, lass. Dougal is a practical house, and we know how to trade so we keep the work going even when it's not always a trade we expected. I know you well enough that you would make sure we got quality, maybe not as good as yourself, but quality, and it's in my interest to offer a wee bit of a carrot to put you in better morale. Something's eating you, marselies could see it, and he's not the touchy feely sort of Hearth. I am, gods help me, a politician, not by nature but by training . And a good politician tries to make it seem like he's in control even when he was caught a bit flat footed" A chuckle then more somberly "WHo knows by the end of your time you might decide you'll stick around after all, though I will not expect it. But I want us on good terms. Dark Gate and River Vale."

She nods, trying not to look too startled that Marsellies even took any notice of her at all. "Yes, sir. It's an important alliance, and I want to make sure it stays that way, too. I'll start considering options." A thought. "Would you accept a kinain in the role?"

"Truth lass, not sure I care for that. I'm not a Liam, my faith in mortals isn't so absolute, though I bear then no ill will. Who did you have in mind?"

"No, sir, nobody in particular. Just thinking about options."

"Well, I'll consider any you suggest. I Owe you that much" A look at her "Let us know if you need help with the commute"

"I should be fine, Chieftain, but thank you." Deep gratitude. She offers a salute before she leaves, but Hewitt might get the strong impression that she almost gave him an impulsive hug. Then she's gone.

"Fine young woman" A grunt to himself, and goes back to sorting his tools "Oh what twit apprentices put the Farrier Hammer before the rod hammer I... I can't even"

.... and off Sylvi goes to find ..Colton

She looks for him in his quarters, first.

"WHo is it?" He asks when she knocks

"Sylvi. I'm back." She waits for him to open the door. Another deep breath.

"Oh gee you're back sooner than I thought I.. well, no time like the present I guess" He opens the door and offers a vase of flowers

"I mean to bring this to your room here or maybe your house" He admits and greets her with the flowers, and a kiss

She blinks, startled by the sudden blooms, and then returns the kiss as she accepts them. "Hi!" she smiles. Then, "These are beautiful, thank you!" She takes a deep inhale. "Mmmmm."

And he remembered her favorite colors . Yes, his training has gone well

"Glad you like" A smile "Figured it would spruce up the place"

"Yes, bright and lively," she agrees. "Um...are you busy right now?"