#goldfinchfreehold

Siv looks a bit lost as she enters Goldfinch, without kids, without Jonas, and without Piper

It's after school (at least for some schools), and music lessons are just getting started in a couple of the rooms. Vocal arpeggios and violin scales.

It's kind of a pleasant hubbub.

Siv smiles at that, and heads down to the flames to keep from interfering with lessons

As she passes by the kitchenette, she hears Sylvi's voice. "Hey!" She steps out and offers a welcoming hug.

"Heading downstairs?"

"HEY" Siv returns the hug with gusto "I was, figured I'd stay out of the way for the lessons. I'm just trying to find something to do iwth meself. I think I've forgotten how to have free time that doesn't involve me lady and fellow and the kids. Yet here I am... and I don't dare go the lodge."

"You...what? Wait." She's quickly leading the way to the stairs leading to the freehold. "That sounds like there's a story attached."

"Oh nothing too stirring, but Vali's been having me studying SO much lore on top of Da's books that I'm bloody well getting homework fears all over again," I tell her "I'm not blind, the man's setting me up to be Mountain Worthy. And then YOUR mom is down Dagmar and with Gerd out and about, for the first time in abit I'm on kitchen duty.. I can cook now so.. there we go, not as well as Gerd, Dagmar or Sally mae, but there you go. Then there's the STORM... did you know he's got rotation shifts on patrols?"

Sylvi listens as she opens the flanges on the balefire lamp, just a bit.

"I mean, that doesn't surprise me. You should have seen him organizing trips to the zoo when I was a kid."

"But yeah, sounds like you could use a little down time."

Siv greets the flames "HEllo you feisty little rebel" THen she looks "It's not the work, you understand? or the duty. I AM a troll, we take well to duty. It's that I keep getting the feeling I'm being sized up and having my teeth checked by everyone all the sudden. I should be flattered I guess, but blast, it turns out Mom might have been one of the LESS organized of the elders and I didn't appreciate that. She always let me throw in here or there, patrol where I willed. Study when I liked. I used to think it meant she had given up on me as ever being like her but well, i wised up a little. She meant no such thing. STILL. Wow. Do you know if they're coordinating this on purpose or it just happens to be working that way or am I imagining it?"

"I'm kinda out of the central loop, remember. Maybe..." she thinks for a moment. "Maybe it's because Aunt Brekke isn't Chieftain anymore. I mean, of course it is, but what I'm trying to say is, maybe Mom is kind of overcompensating, and it's rubbing off on Dad and Vali?"

"Oh I Think that makes sense actually. Your mother is a good chief," Siv nods "But she got a few too many challenges early on. Got tested and passed, but maybe she's just bolstering her defenses and checking her resources? Me being one of them?"

"Think of it like kitchen inventory, right?"

"She's brilliant with planning, organizing, listing, and couponing. So I guess she's just applying those skills more broadly."

"Well, on one hand I'm flattered, on the other and I'm starting to dread the place. Well not THAT bad but wow" A chuckle "I wonder if your da isn't also insecure about something? I Mean... Uncle Olgar isn't just a rock, he's an active landslide.. a force, but instead of exploring he's thinking defensively in a fortress like way?"

"If anybody else were doing that, he'd tease them about 'nesting,' I bet."

Siv snorts "omg.. do you think that's it? "

A blink. "I am not suggesting that my folks are pregnant."

A laugh then... a chuckle and control "No no... I mean, do you think he's rounding up folks on patrols as a substitue for guiding them on the Silver? His way of counting all his chicks?"

Sylvi considers, then nods. "That tracks. He's not really a control freak, you know, but let's be honest...he's got some big shoes to fill, and he's using the skills he's got to do it right."

"I see. Well, see, now I feel a bit better. I thought it was a conspiracy to drive me nuts," A nod "Thanks, Sylvi. You say you havne't been there in awhile? Why not? "

"No particular reason. And I was there for a bit last week. But I just mean, I'm not part of the decision-making people at the Lodge, so any opinion I give is going to be a bit outsider-y."

"That has its advantages" She says "At least for me. Now, tell me, how's your security here?"

She wavers her hand a bit. "We're good, but we've been tested now and then. Having the freehold behind the misdirecting stair thing helps. Honestly, I tend to be more worried about mortals breaking in to grab instruments they can sell for drug money."

"Ooh has that happened before here? " Intrigued

"Not here. Some nearby businesses, the owners talk about how that's happened to them. Though it seems it's happened less since we moved in, so...." A shrug and a smile. "Fae neighbors for the win."

"I imaging Prissy and any other redcaps on your side DO Deter," Siv says "still, if you need a spy, I am missing the trade."

"Mmmm! I might take you up on that, should the opportunity arise. Can't think of a situation for it at the moment, though."

"Well, I could help the local stores around here .. nothing saying I can't stop crimes to your neighbors." Siv smirks "I am pretty good at shapeshifing. I once turned into Taylor Swift on a dare. THAT was a mistake. Her fans are insane!"

"You didn't know that before you did it?" Sylvi laughs.

"You're lucky you made it out in one piece."

"Sue me... anyway I got chased for a mile and a half with bits of my clothes torn off while people screamed 'I love you!' " She chuckles

"Ugh. Said like that, it's So Creepy."

"Oh bit much... " Siv says "Okay. Anyway I'm a little more discerning now. I'll start snooping around the area. Need to keep my skils sharp since Kealan won't use me anymore"

Sylvi frowns. "Did I know that?"

"I.. ah, probably not. Your'e the first one I've mentioned it to outside my loves" SIv answer and sighs "I Just couldn't do what he asked this time"

Her eyes widen. "Okay, now that's just not fair, teasing an interesting tidbit like that when I know you're going to say you can't tell me what it was he was asking you to do!"

((Forgot to hit send, sorry.))

"Actually, I can. He wanted me to spy on that new Chief of Rivervale, make sure she wasn't drifting too far fom Hemlocks's preferences and all. He likes Kerri, but she's not a known factor so.. could I please 'guide' her and.. oh report a lot."

"you see why I quit instead? And... why I haven't told your mother?" A look "So don't you tell her either. The Spymaster is just doing his job. And I am refusing to do a job for him. No need for bad blood."

Sylvi grumbles at not being able to tell her mother. "I get it. It's just irritating." Then her brow furrows a moment. "Waitaminit...are you spying on ME for him?!"

Siv laughs "Oh I've been doing that since it opened. You never asked until now or I would have told you. But not anymore, as I quit."

She does not seem to be repentant

"Well, serves me right for not being suspicious enough, I guess. Any idea who's going to do it now that you're not?"

"I don't know but.. if you want THAT to be something I do for you on the side, I can find out. I'd like a game of spy vs spy" Her Fiona side is showing

"Ooooohh!" Sylvi's eyes light up at the thought. "Now that sounds like a fun venture. Don't get yourself in a position to get hurt, but I wouldn't mind knowing what you can find out!"

"Well, I do have a few ideas but... " She titls her head "Sounds like you are needed up stairs." SOmeone is calling for help with a studio