#elsewhere

Kelby is having a bowl of food on a bench OUT sideo f the usual mess area

"Hey, Kelby!" Sylvi approaches. "I heard you're looking for me?" She glances toward the mess area, then takes a seat on the bench near her.

A weak smile "Yeah, I did ,City Girl" Then as if to explain "There was some sluagh in there with his mouth full of flies and pudding... so I came out here" A nose wrinkle

"Ick," Sylvi agrees, but not completely disgusted. "So what's up?

She puts tthe soup to the side and says "I wanted to apologize. You're one of my best friends and I... ggot so wrapped up in losing Bert that I was angry at you both and neither of you deserved it. You 're in a big transition, and you need help and support and all I thought about was myself. A DeBuke should know better"

"Hey, no...I mean, I accept the apology, but I'm not really offended. You were scared, Kelby, and then you got hurt, so I totally understand the whole lashing-out thing. It's okay, Farm Girl." She holds her arms out and give the expression one makes when hoping for a hug.

And she gets one, "Thank you. " It's a good long hug "How are you? I mean, I hear you got a hold to run of your own? They're lettinng you go early and all?"

"Yeah. I'll be sort of part-time here for a while to finish out my oath, but...yeah, I'm a Freeholder." She says it with proud amazement. "You've got to come down and see it, Kelby. It's a wreck in the upstairs part, but it's coming together, and the freehold itself is just..." A happy sigh. "It's really, really good."

"Um, but...sorry, I didn't ask...how did things end up with you and Bert?"

"I went back and apologized to him. I probably won't be seeing him if I can help it. It's not that he's not a great friend but.. for me, right now? the Friend zone isn't warm and comfy, it's hot lava." Wry "Burns a bit to stand there. But we're good"

"Okay," she says carefully. "I mean, I'm not pushing you two to get back together, but I hope it gets less lava-ish over time."

"thanks and he has a new girlfriend" A smile "Guess I'm back on the market. Moo" She parts "I'm... sure Goldfinch is nice. But I'm thinking of staying here as a main place"

"Yeah? You like it?"

"Well it's not as 'gloom gloom gloom' as before" She says "And while they have lots of thanes, they could use a knight or two."

"So you're not mad at me for not hanging around your place?"

"Huh? No! Absolutely not, Kelby! Come visit, please, but...I want you to be happy wherever makes you happy. And I'll be coming up here, too. And you're right; they absolutely could use more knights, even thought the worst of the ooky-spookies are gone."

"Oh, it's going to have problems. It's closed. That doesn't mean there won't be folks who want to open it. Thallians are going to be swarming around this place lookingg for a way in"

"Ugh. And their servants. Yeah...this place is going to need you."

A nod "Figured it would. Mind you, Marsellies still gives me dirty looks.. DeBukes aren't supposed to take knnighthoods but I can handle him"

"Pfft. Marsellies gives anyone dirty looks if they don't like vichyssoise."

A snerk "Yeah. I hear Marigold of Silverwolf and he exchange dishes now and then to outdo each other passive aggressivly chariably. In fact, soon she should be getting a Pork Tenderloin with Three Berry Salsa with a note that says "I know how hard it is for you to get good pork here""

A roll of her eyes and shake of her head

"Oh my. I see a boar hunt in SilverWolf's future. I wonder how long before they start dating?" she says with a grin.

"Marigold's a bit long in the tooth for him, but I could see her winging a niece his way, but will it be her favorite or least favorite?" Wry

A laugh. "Well, there's sure to be a dust-up at Pennons in the cooking competitions. But you know who my money's on."

"Your mama, because you were raised right and loyal" A smile

A pleased grin. "Darn tootin'" she says, winking at the country gal. Then her smile fades. "Um, Kelby...you don't think less of me because of the whole technicalities-on-the-oath thing, right?"

"I confess, it surprised me a bit. Oaths are important, and you might have taken this one on a bit lightly in a way, but no.. it's been honorably settled and you have paid the worth of the Oath. I'll miss havingg you HERE, of course"

Sylvi looks uncomfortable, then relieved when Kelby absolves her. "I'll miss you, too, but y'know, trod plus boyfriend. I'll be around," she says with a grin.

"So you two ARE Staying a couple?" She looks relieved "Thank god I thought you were breaking up"

Sylvi blinks at her, then says, "Well...that's the plan. Staying a couple."

Kelby stops and stares thenn says "Sylvi...is this something you planned yourself, or agreed with him was the plan?"

A confused look for a second. Then dawning realization. "Um...oh. I guess I just...assumed that's what he wanted."

"Uh huh... you might want to know he's been chewingg onn it. He loves you, but I think he's doinn that stupid troll trick where he thinks you migght be 'better off' and 'for your sake'"

"Men.. always protecting us from whatever they're imagining is a problem"

A little line develops between her brows. "Oh."

"He talked to you?"

"No. But Marsellies was telling him he was a chowderhead if he didnn't realize lon g distance could work with effort... he's a pompous ass, Marseliess, but sometimes, when you're not looking, he's a good man"

Sylvi nods...but she still looks troubled.

"Oh donn't you do it." A warning "Don't you DARE do what I think you'r thinking of"

"You don't read minds," she mutters.

"No, but I can guess. Do not Dump him for 'his own good' either... and DEFINITELY don't do it to beat him to the punch"

"It's not that," she whispers, hushing Kelby. "Not...exactly."

"Oh? What is is it then? I claim girl friend right of busy bodienness" As if this is a thing. Which for DeBukes it might be

Sylvi glances up and down the hall. She wants to make sure there are no eavesdroppers, at least none that she can see. She leans close to Kelby and whispers, "I love Colton. I really do. And I really enjoy being with him. But...I'm not sure about...y'know, forever. I mean...the longer we date, the closer we probably get to one day where he, y'know, pops the question...and I'm not sure that's a direction I want to go, not for a long time yet."

None, unless that sluah is done with his pudding

Kelby stares at her "if you dump him, you might regrrt it. What if he's the one? "

"I know. But...what if he's not the one, and he asks, and I...I agree, because we've just been together so long?"

"you need to talk to him" She admits

"I know."