#goldfinchfreehold

Lucia chatters with Sylvi "So... there were scouts from all sorts of schools, and the athletes are going nuts! May could be going to UCLA! Dagmar got three offers"

"That's SO cool! Oh, man, May would probably love sunny California. And Dagmar...three?! Do you know where?"

"SHE Didn't look so thrilled after... not sure she wants to go.. but there was some SERIOUS Hero worship she had for the Scout of BCC"

Her brow furrows. "BCC? What's the big deal about a community college scout?"

"Uh.. Lacey the Squeeze Lemmons? Apparently she was a bronze medalist for Shotput"

"Bronze medal, like Olympics? Huh...who knew?"

"Like 20 years ago" A
shrug

A few quiet moments.

"Dagmar should totally go, but I get why she might not want to. I mean...'Family At Last,' right?"

"Well, her family is going to be here for visits. Door is always open+"

"Yeah, true. And it's not like we don't have any way of getting around...although I think sometimes we don't show Gerd enough appreciation for all the times she gets us from here to there and back again."

"We should do something nice for her" A look "What about you? Which college are you going to?"

A frown at the question, and an uncomfortable shrug.

"Ah.. you are going to a college, right? I mean, at least Commuinity or online?"

She sighs. "Look...here's the thing...for me, what's the point? This world..." she gestures to the curtained walls of the freehold they're in "...y'know, the fae world, has always been more central to my life than the mortal world is, right? And it always will be, until I die or forget, whichever comes first. So...what's the point of making a big fuss about advancing in the mortal world. I can graduate, then take some courses to get my cosmetology license, and get a job in that. And I can still do my YouTube stuff." Another shrug. "College doesn't really fit."

"But... you're not stupid" Shee says before she ca catch it

"Never said I was!" she says, surprised. "But...I mean, I don't owe the world a diploma, do I?"

"And you don't have to be stupid to be a cosmetologist."

"I guess not, but bedlam if ALL you do is isolate and the hold...." She worries

"Which is where the job comes in," she says a little impatiently. "Doing makeovers on mortals, maybe get into an apprenticeship to work on Broadway shows....I'm not talking about all-fae, all-the-time. I'm saying..." a sigh "...it's inevitable that my fae life is going to interfere with my mortal life, or vice versa. And I'm going to have fae responsibilities. Better that I have a low-priority mortal job rather than, like, a great big important CAREER, right?"

"I... guess.." She says but there's a tone of unasked for sympathy from her friend

(Pause)

“Oh, come on. You’re acting like I’ve got some kind of wasting disease.”

"Well... yeah I mean... you have to settle for..." A wince "I'm your friend. you KNOW that, but one day you're going to think you ggave up too much"

“See, I don’t think so. I mean, Colton knows who I am. It’s not like I didn’t have anybody and would need to rely on attracting a mortal who might expect a college degree. I really think this makes more sense. College dreams, career dreams…I mean, that’s okay for other people. Me…I don’t really see the need.” A pause. “Maybe I’ll do an associates at Ramapo. That’s just about 20 minutes from here, and they’ve got a theater arts program. That’s the backstage technical stuff.”

"Hey, that would be better than... "She sttops herself "that would be grea"

A frown. “Are you going to be like this for anybody who chooses not to go to college?”

"Noooo.." A wince "I'll try not to be"

A sigh. “So, what are your plans?”

"College... thinking of Vassar but not sure. "

“Vassar? Fancy!”

"IF I can gett accepted. I got back ups"

“Yeah? I bet you get into Vassar, though. That’s exciting!” Pause. “See how I encourage your plans even though they’re different from mine?” A little smirk.

"Same old Sylvi" A laugh

She joins in the laugh. “Just sayin’!”

"yes yes, you're awesome... I am a judggmettal worm... I have so much to lear" A snort "So I worry, you big bully. Sue me. But I DO think Ramapo would be fun for you"

“Maybe, but it’s not necessary, not for the work I plan to be doing. Yeah, some makeup artists have college degrees, but certificates and apprenticeships mean a lot more.”

"Well.. I'm going push forr it annyway." Stubborn

She rolls her eyes. Then more seriously, “I guess I’ve got to talk to Piper. I mean…if I do choose college, I probably won’t be able to stay as freeholder, and I don’t think she wants to do it. Maybe. But we’ve got to figure out how succession works, anyway.”

"I guess" Less enthused "But you could travel. your dad might fashion or find a trod"

“Yeah, but…” A listening expression as she looks toward the balefire lamp. “I mean…shouldn’t she have someone who’s nearby?”

"Maybe you stay here, butt use the trod to go there? Save on dorm costs"

“Commute? I mean…yeah…maybe.”

"I think Piper would be better at holding than she knows if you tteach her, but you can't forrce folks to run things. "

“Oh, Piper would be great at it! But she’s got to want to do it, not be forced into it, right?”

"Right" she ponders "Mmm.. a shame you can't pinch Zane from Dark gate"

“Talk about somebody with important work to do. I doubt he’d want to come back. He’s doing great there, last I heard.”

"Probably has a harem" Wryly "Rumor has it that he's comforting Kelby..." And she ggoes on "Want to hear the gossip ?"

She blinks. “Zane and KELBY? HELL YES, I want to hear!”

(Fade to SUPER Juicy gossip)