#goldfinchfreehold

"Well, she's made it totally clear she doesn't want that position, and I wouldn't draft her to take it unless there was no other option." She casts a troubled look at the balefire.

A brow lift "Got awful serious there, Big and Blue. You wanting out, or worried rikki will test the waters because she loves to make trouble?'

A deep breath. "Oh, hell, Zane...I don't know." She stands and paces over to the balefire, opening the flange cover a little bit so the little flame can cast its light more brightly, and she plays her fingers in front of it as she talks. "I really love this place, and I think we've been doing such great work. But...I just graduated, and people keep telling me I should do college, and I know it's something mortal me will need at some point, but fae me doesn't much care because I've got all this..." she gestures around "...going on." A sigh. "And I figured I could ride the income on my YouTube channel for a couple more years, but interest is starting to dry up post-pandemic."

"I mean, I've got plenty saved up for now, but it's going to dwindle."

"And I just...I don't know which thing to do." A pause as she paces a bit. "I guess I figured sorting out who replaces me next would be, y'know, one thing down, but then Piper got all upset at the suggestion."

"Yeah , I saw that new girl stealing your tips and changing them just enough so you can't complain without sounding whiny." A frown then he tilts his head "Hey, PIper maybe scared of change, but she would feel terrible if she thought she was HOLDING you here. Look, I think College will be good for you, and NOT for money reasons"

A frustrated gesture. "Maybe? I just...I don't know."

"Of course you don't know " he says "If Hindsight is 20 20, then ergo present sense is fuzzy, and future sense? Barring a few visions or reallly well cast soothsays? Blind. Look, if anyone can swing college AND this, if you want ot stay the holder here, it's you. But I do know you don't want to be one of those sad women at the supermarket going on about your cheerlead squad in your senior year as if that was when you peaked and you never want to leave it and look around. '

She bites her lip and scratches absently at one of her horns. "But...what if it is when I peaked?"

"Oh Big and Blue" He says and puts a hand on her shoulder, not making a move to get frisky, but the gesture of a friend trying to make his support more obvious, "It's not when you peaked that should worry you so much. Its when you stopped climbing and called it your peak"

A sigh. "Dammit. Always comes back to personal responsibility for one's future, huh?"

"You don't want to see the alternative" he says "Speaking as a wizard, of course" A wink

"Yer a wizard, Hairy," Sylvi says with a wink back. "I just...well...are you going to do college?"

"My father is a college professor" He says "I'm worried he'll storm Darkgate if i try to get out of it"

"What are you going to go for though? Like, what are you going to study?"

"Dad would push for Education or Philosphy, and whle the latter iS tempting, I actualy think I'd try for Theatre. Sully and crew have been good teachers in a lot of ways. And I'll tell you something, there is more ritual magic in stage set design and prep, in costume outfitting, than some ancient temples of Hermes had"

She grins at that. "Sully's a heck of a good guy. I'm so glad that all got off the ground. And yeah, I'm still figuring that a theater major makes sense for me too, with the make up and all." A little half-laugh. "Lucia thinks I should go into teaching, though. Like, how crazy would that be?"

He laughs for a moment then, Zane stops "Actually, you'd be good at it"

"Oh, geez, not you too." She sits down again.

"It might be a healthy outlet for your inner tyrant" he points out with a smile "But let's look at the evidence? Leadership skills. Check. Just organized a whole group of kids, with Cuz's help..check. Used to providing suplies for whatever course is coming up. Check. often tries to guide folks to learn, and enjoys teaching them, say with make up? Check. And, let's face it, you LIKE attention. Teachers are very on display"

She listens and she bites her lip, thinking about his words. A glance towards the stairs, then she lowers her voice. "Keep something to yourself?"

"Sure" He says lowering his own "But if I think YOU should tell someone else about whatever you tell me, I'm not going to pussyhoof around the subject" Fair warning

She nods, then says, "I had a few moments this afternoon, y'know, Piper had the kids playing games, and I was keeping track of the updates on my phone and...well, I know Dagmar and Symon are going to Rutgers, and...after what Lucia said...I sort of glanced at their teaching program. Just for shits and giggles, y'know?" A pause. "It sounds kinda good."

The last an admission that seems to surprise herself.

"Rutgers has some good programs" he says sounding like the voice of experience "And the country is desperate for teachers, not enough to pay them what they're worth mind you, but for a changeling hoping to make a positive difference in the world and have a cover both ? It can work, but it IS work" He warns "But yeah, I bet they're eager enough to consider you for a really nice schoalarship" He pauses "Heck... oh wow. My dad could reccomend you"

Her eyes widen. "You think he would?"

"I know he would" Zane says "And not just as a favor. You've impressed him before, though you may not recall it. He maybe a reformer, rather than a modernist, but he's always found you on the cutting edge of ...and i quote, troll leadership"

A blink. "I mean...I try." She glances back up the stairs towards where all the kids were just a little while ago. "Maybe...."

"YOu know, I realize your winter side is the one that thinks she's the queen B? But you're allowed to take pride in the good you do summer wise too. " He looks to the same steps "or were those kids just lucky to catch you on a goodday?"

"Nnnooooo...." she allows. Then a deep breath. "Why does that feel like it makes more sense than theater? I mean, in a good way, not in a banal way."

"You are allowed a minor" he reminds "Or to switch majors if one falls"

She shifts awkwardly, then sighs. "That takes us right back to the question of what to do about Goldfinch. I mean, Rutgers isn't that far, but...far enough not to be fair to people who need a leader here daily."

"Have you considered cheating?" he asks

A blink. "Cheating?"

"Let's see, Gerd flicker flashes. Your dad bends trods. Oh, and wudlig, one of my friends? Can make a car that goes 200 mph and is veiled so mortals subconciously get out of it's way"

"We're chnagelings. We do the amazing every day. the impossible? that just takes a bit more work" A smile

"I know Wudlig," she grins. "So...okay...I guess it's time to set up a meeting to start elections...and I'll run for re-election. If people want me, cool, I'll make it work. If they want somebody else to take over for a while, also cool."

"Exactly. I swear, where would you trolls be without some satyr to condescend to you about how easy life can be if you just relax?" A wink "Now come on... tell me the good stuff Goldfinch has been doing"

"Hey, sometimes I just need to hear from a rebel bad-boy childhood friend." She gives him a grin. "Well, Piper and I helped a mortal record a demo video the other day. I think they've got a chance to go far...." And she tells him more about the doings at Goldfinch, and asks for info about Darkgate that she might not have heard from talking with Colton.

((Fade?))

And they share soda as she gets to boast a bit about Goldfinch and the people who make it work

(Fade)