#goldfinchfreehold

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Ylva is not used to Goldfinch, yet she walks along it now trying to memorize it as another hold worthy of note.

The twitter of the chimerical stained glass goldfinch alerts Sylvi to company, and she looks out from one of the studio rooms. "Hello?"

"Oh, hello" the eight year old troll replies "It's me, Ylva."

"Hey! Didn't know you were coming over. Anybody with you?" She beckons the girl to come join her in the studio.

She retakes the seat she was in. There are a couple of other kind of ratty, mis-matched chairs available.

"Well, Dame Dagmar said she might come over but I got a head start. I don't want to be coddled" She insists

Nearby on the floor is a notebook open to a page that's half covered with notes.

"Oh, I totally get that. Don't get too cocky, though. I hear there was a redcap corby around lately. Got run off, but...just stay on your toes, right?"

"Oh, Peacekeeper Dirk is hunting them I suspect,he's TICKED" the girl says "Oh... I brought a message from the Storm of Rivervale"

While she was leaning back in her chair with a grim grin at the notion of Dirk on the hunt, she leans forward with a bit more attentiveness after a brief moment to process who the 'Storm' refers to now. "From Dad?"

"Yes" She pulls forth a note and starts to read 'Oyez, Oyez, let it be known through out the land, that any kithain or kinain of Goldfinch who so wish it, may continue or start their training in the honorable art of axe to the face, spear to the groin, or punch to the jaw... taught by the Storm of Rivervale for the betterment of the Yeomanry of the Barony and for personal growth aside... lessonss shall be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except if a really good football game is on... all rules must be followed in the traditional manner... BYOB... and don't bother showing up if a bit of dirt of pain is going to scare you off. his most ..." She squints 'It's some elder word I am not sure how to pronounce... bow-day-shuus? Bodacious Storm Olgar presiding, deciding, and inviting. Oyez oyez" Then a beat "PS, tell me about the look in Sylvi's face when you spout this .." She stops "Not sure I'm supposed to read that part"

A blink of surprise at the start, and then a massive eye roll after the first couple of phrases. "Dad can be SUCH a dork," she says lovingly. "Oh, I should totally send a message in return. I don't have any fancy paper, but..." She reaches for her notebook and pen. "Hey," she says as she writes, "Can I keep that note and post it on the bulletin board? So more people can see even if I'm not here to tell them."

"Sure, the ink is cchimerical so unechanted will just see a blank page"

Ylva also observes "And your face was like really surprised, then the eye rolling began." She was told to tell him the look on Sylvi's face after all and the troll childling takes her duties seriously

It takes a few minutes, but she writes the following: From the free and easy wings of the Goldfinch, Freeholder Sylvi sends thanks to Olgar, Storm of Rivervale, for the gracious (if kinda goofball) invitation. I have no doubt there will be takers, and your generosity with your time and talent are noted and appreciated. Here's hoping there will be derring-do worthy of song (or at least a decent guitar solo).

She hands over the note and grins at the description. "Yeah, guilty as charged."

She takes the note "I'll take it to him as soon as I'm done famlilarizing myself with your lay out. I may have to help defend this place once and..."

"Oh, sure! Here, let me give you the tour."

Music, Linwood on Keyboard sounds like, plays nearby. He's no satyr, but the Centaur seems to have hit a tune the childling likes, for her foot taps

A grin. "Let's start over there. Quiet, though, unless he invites you to come in."

She nods "He's good" She whispers

She nods agreement as they peek in the door where Linwood is playing. She tries not to intrude, but will give him a wave if he looks up.

For a while, he does not, lost in the music, fingers dancing over the substitute ebony and ivory. Ylva is actually caught up entirely, then seems embarrassed as she pulls out of it. Then Linwood looks over, sees them, and gives a head bob of greeting as he gets to the last part of the song. He's not recording so no harm if they do talk

Sylvi smiles, then whispers to Ylva, "He's near the end. You'll have a chance to tell him what you think of it."

And he finishes with a flourish, then smiles "Hey. Who's your friend, Sylvi?"

"Ylva.. I mean, you're GOOD" The childling says "Your fingers are so fast I .. I mean.. Wow"

Sylvi, mercifully, doesn't chuckle at the girl's stumbling. "This is Ylva. She one of the more recent additions to Rivervale. Giving her the tour. What song was that?"

"It's called October Sky" He says "Seemed fitting"

"Nice. Ylva, do you play an instrument?"

"Only had a few lessons so no" She blushes

"Well, if you ever want to start again, I bet we can work something out in terms of lessons. And speaking of...Linwood, Ylva was just bringing a message from my Dad. He's offering to give weapons training to anybody from Goldfinch."

"Huh" He ponders "Basil trained with Chief Brekke some, wonder if he'll leap at this? Me? I'm a musician not a fighter"

"Well, nothing says you can't do both. Self-defense comes in handy. Anyway...we'll let you get back to it. C'mon, Ylva, I'll show you the rest of the place."

"Nice meeting you, Ylva" he says again.

"Nice meeting you, Linwood. You play beautifully" Ylva says and follows blushing. SHe's too young for wilder love or attraction, but Sylvi wonders if what has happened will imprint a bit and give poor Ylva a weakness for musicians starting in her wilder years later

Well, it's not like Sylvi didn't have her own crushes at that age.

A fair point

Off to other parts of the studio, and then the freehold below.

And with pride and delight, Sylvi gets to show off Goldfinch in all it's lovely feisty freedom loving glory! She is perhaps by now used to the warm feeling of showing their little hold off, but it is not getting old!

(Fade to 🐦 tour!)