#elsewhere

Slow eating all around

Siv says "I am worried about Piper's touring career. I don't want to coop her up"

"She would need greater support than usual, I think."

"But then again...I certainly 'toured' with you, in a way."

"Aye" Siv grins "Stuff of legends there"

Jonas confides "It is hard not to let... protectivness dominate"

"Hm." She looks to Frank. "Do you recall if that was difficult for you?" Trying to draw him into the conversation.

He takes a sip of his apple juice, clears his throat.

"Protectiveness?" to clarify.

Brekke nods.

He lets his mind drift.

"I want to keep her and the baby from harm. I ...find myself a bit worried about her on long stays in other cities or going great distances" Jonas admits

"You both have the advantage of being able to travel long distances quickly, although in different ways," she says in a low voice.

Siv smiles at that "does seems so"

"I know I would want to protect the mother of my child." Frank rumbles quietly.

"That would be true in the Dreaming, or out of it."

Brekke gives him a look that those who know her might describe as 'tender.'

Siv smiles at her Da at that "I seem to recall vague stories of someone making sure I did not go overboard as I ran from my bath tub so after I was out as well"

"There is protecting.... and there is stifling."

Jonas nods at Frank with understanding "Yes. I must not fall into the trap of the latter. That is my fear"

Frank gives her a dry look. "Keeping a toddler from drowning is different than protecting a pregnant woman."

"Mm. I think she will let you know when it is too much."

Siv concedes the point

Jonas actually gives a bit of a smile at Frank's comment "it is true. The women I care for are not normally shy in sharing their views"

"One of us sitting right here" Siv points out

Clip clop of hooves giving a head's up that Piper is coming back

Both Jonas and Siv's head turn at the sound of the clop clops as if they were labradors hoping someone was at the door

Brekke turns to regard Piper as she returns. She intends it to be a welcoming look, but Piper might not be able to read her that well yet.

Frank moves some food around on his plate.

As Piper gets settled again, Brekke beckons over the waitress and orders a glass of ginger ale.

She hesitates at the Look, but slides into her chair. Her plate she discretely pushes to one side.

"Sorry about that."

"Nothing to apologize for." Frank assures her.

Brekke shakes her head, agreeing with Frank.

"You feeling better?" Siv asks

When the ginger ale arrives, she slides it across the table to Piper. "Some find it helpful."

"Oh! That's what Kerri said as well." Sipping it gratefully. She glances from her partners over to the elder Trolls, wishing for Boggan dynamics to decode the feel of the room.

A nod to Siv as she sips.

Brekke clears her throat. "We spoke more in your absence. To be clear...we support you, all of you. And we look forward to meeting the little one."

Frank nods.

"You're not... weirded out, or upset, or... something?"

"I think you are asking if we are angry. We are not. Surprised...puzzled...yes. But not upset in that sense."

"Not angry." Frank confirms.

Siv looks proud of her folks, and.. yes, reassured

"And we are relieved that you are unified in your decisions," she says to all three of them.

"Yes."

"Thank you" Jonas says to Brekke and Frank "You've been very understanding of us since long before this. And.. we're grateful."

"You do keep challenging us," Brekke points out with mild amusement.

"Wouldn't want you bored" Siv chuckles softly but with an apologetic shrug