#goldfinchfreehold

"I am not just killing time. I do a lot of work as Storm"

Her frown deepens. "Don't pretend to be dense. You know what I mean."

"I do" He sighs "But I... it's just not easy for me. I don't want to whine but look, I don't want to be anything like my original mentor...the Leanhaun jerk? So it feels disiengenious to just dive right into it for me. And no I'm not saying it is for you or anyone else, but I have issues there and I feel they are legit"

Her expression softens slightly, and she lets out a slow exhale. "Okay...I think you're a much different person than you were trained to be by that asshole. I'm not saying you can't feel that way. But...it's been months. It's not just diving right in. I mean...if you're worried that I won't respect you if you date somebody else, let me tell you: I won't."

"Wait, that came out sideways. I will respect you. I won't disrespect you."

"Good. Maybe I came here for permission, or pre forgiveness. I don't know. " he says lamely "And I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to do a patch job on my psyche"

"Colton, you have my permission. My encouragement, even." A pause. "Does it bother you that I didn't ask you for permission?"

He snorts, "If you recall, I gave the whole speech which might be 'permission' but let's NOT have your dad hear it worded that way. I'd be sat down by a campfire at midnight and get another patriarchy speech... and that's if he felt nice" then a slight smile

"Okay, but if you recall, we established it was a mutual situation at that time. But this is the second time I've had to remind you that you're supposed to be seeing other people now, too."

Then a blink. "Wait...are thinking that you're being like that Leanhaun if you have any kind of no-strings-attached sex?"

"I.. uhm" A blush

"Like...are you thinking everything has to be a committed relationship? Because I'm not the one holding you to that standard. You are."

"I never said you were" He arches brow "Just that maybe I had some stuff in my head to work out about things"

"Yeah...but...are you looking at me like I'm acting like the Leanhaun asshole?"

"Oh no, not even" he assures and takes her hand "Look, I SAW what that guy did, how he treated people. Sylvi, what he did went way beyond 'non commited' he lied, he coerced, and gaslit"

Her hand is a little tense when he takes it, but then she squeezes back gently. "And I'm telling you that I'm confident that you're not like that. Sometimes you're a bit of a dope, but you're not that."

A nod "Thank you. Zane thinks I should just cut loose for a night. Offered to use the gift of pan for me. How embarrassing is that that I am tempted to ask for Pan's gift to get over my own hang ups?"

She's quiet for a moment. Then she looks at him directly as she says, "I did."

He blinks "Oh."

She nods. "I couldn't get past the awkwardness at first. So...yeah." A pause.

"Damn, you are fearless. " he says "I mean, you don't let anything stop you"

"Well, it helps that I trusted the person. It wasn't a huge risk. But maybe you're right. I guess I just figure that, if I get myself into a situation, I'll figure out how to get out of it."

"mmm" A pondering "And I trust Zane. Maybe if he offers again to serenade me and a date, I'll agree."

She nods. "Talk with him more about it, so you and he are on the same page about what you want."

"Thanks." A nod "Ah, enough about my hang ups. Trade you news of Goldfinch or Rutgers fae stuff for things I know?"

"Sure." She grins.

"Oh, how's Chieftain Hewitt doing? Still seeing that thane from Silverwolf?"

"Oh yes, Linnae... they're holding hands in public. It's a scandal" A beat "Troll wise" A smile slips "She's pretty cool"

"Shocking," she says, amused. "Has Marsellis made them a romantic dinner yet?"

"Oh more than once" he nods "Up to an including the 'picnic' that has 5 star treatment"

"Aww! I'm glad."

"Yeah, I tease our Hearth, but the man can make the fancy stuff. When he found out about the incident in Crete he was livid."

Her expression gets serious. "Yeah, Mom and Dad told me about that whole mess. Talk about twisted. I'm glad they were able to help and stop the whole thing. I'm not loving the fact they were in danger. I mean, I really thought that whole trip was going to be for fun, relaxation, y'know?"

"Wait" A pause "That was YOUR mom and dad?"

"All I knew was that dreamers in crete, including a world famous chef, Lissele something... almost got auctioned! House Liam and Rovers both got in on helping the clean up. That's how I knew about it. "

"Well, yeah. I guess I thought that's how Marcellus heard about it."

A furrowed brow. "So, there's a chance I really just did a stupid move and blew up their spot. Can you keep this bit of info to yourself? Because if it gets around..." A pause. "Geez, I'm an idiot."

"Oh. I'll keep it secret. Your mom does not need the hornet's nest she kicked up"

"Yeah, no." She's frowning. "Stupid. They told me to keep it quiet. I just sort of assumed you knew."

"Ah. Not stupid. Just... well, I have your trust. And I did mislead you. Didn't mean to." A nod "Look, the stories are some lady troll , low in title, DICTUMED a crowd of high noble sidhe. SOmehow. Even Seelie nobles are freaking out over that. And yes, they're less focused on what matters, dreamers nearly sold like trinkets. But your mom..well, boy did she cause a stir"

"Dictumed?" She frowns. "Maybe that was somebody else. Or else a trick that looked like dictum?"

"Maybe" He says surprised "But the story is that some unknown troll threw weight around and maybe she was a queen in disquise."

"I didn't hear that part," she says quietly.

"It could be someone else... your folks may have had allies on Crete. The story IS wild. The goodnews is they have no idea who your parents were. Looks like attempts to find paperwork are hard"

"Thank goodness. But if they do figure it out...we'll figure out how to handle it."

He ponders, then says "Look, Dark Gate isn't the best at intrigues, but what we can do is spread a few basic wild stories on top to further confuse things. Heck, we could get Sully on it, not telling him what happened, but giving him a few ideas and telling him and the theatre crew to go nuts? they'll bury the reaal story in bullshit so thick you could ski off it"

She looks at him, open-mouthed, for a moment...then smiles! "That's a fantastic idea! Colton, you're brilliant. When you're not being a dope, that is." She winks.

"Comes and goes" He admits with a smile "Sides, Rivervale is still allies, and your folks damned nice. Also.. I hear their daughter's decent" A wink

"She has her moments," she says humbly.

"So what else is new?"