#odyssey

"Mm. That is good. It is better to have allies rather than enemies on your borders."

Sylvi grins a bit at the comment about Linnea.

Grunt. ("Nope.")

(Bunk room)"So stubborn" Fond/frustrated/frumpy..but she sighs and accepts it

Colton nods then looks around "I wonder where Symon's gone too? I wonder if he found he new statue?"

A raised brow. "New statue?"

That from Brekke, of course.

"Symon helped this place as you may have heard, made the lodge itself possible, fought temptation from a dark power and more. There was a statue of him.. and it got stolen" A frown "Not the sort of security we WERE reeady for. So... we replaced it. Because we're stubborn and because we do have Dougals"

A hint of a bemused grin. "Indeed? May I see it?"

Sylvi has a much more open grin. "Oh, I totally think you should."

"Oh I'll be happy to show you" Colton smiles "If you'd like I can now"

Someone slips out of the room, just a shadow! As they enter. The statue shows signs of prying at the base, but the damned thing has been reinforced...

"A moment." Brekke finishes up her meal, rises, and gives Marseilles a respectful nod. "My gratitude, Hearth. The food was very good." Understatement. Then she goes to follow Colton and Sylvi.

"My honor to serve such astute palates" Marseilles nods back. Oh yes. A bit full of himself but good enough to walk the talk.

And they move to the display before the gate. "We tried to capture his essence..." Colton says "We had a contest... " Before the Dark Gate itself, the one opening to night mare realms, stands a statue . It's a figure of a scrawny sluagh boy with his left hand raised up with a middle finger! Behind his back, held in the right hand, a thin knife ready . The mix of defiance, courage, and cunning on the face is... dead on target! This is Symon provoking, setting someone up for the fall, and knowing just how to do it. Oh he'd probably protest that's not how it happened, and he wouldn't do it that way, but symbolically? it works

Sylvi has seen it before, so she's more interested in the Chieftain's reaction. Brekke is...well, the only word for her initial reaction is nonplussed.

She regards it a long moment, one brow creeping higher. And then...she chuckles. "Storm, commend the artisan. This is very well done."

"I will. The statue was never formerly named, some have suggested finding the latin verse for 'Not the hero we asked for, but the hero we needed' others suggested a boast of 'I am the better fiend' which I admit I thought Symon might like. And, of course, Wudlig, being a nocker, proposed 'Anti-Heroes get shit done'"

Sylvi grins, "I like that last one."
"Hm." Brekke nods. "All are suitable. He will not appreciate being honored so, but he deserves recognition for his work."

"Truth" Connor says "I'm Storm here and I've learned there's.. an expectation of morale for the soldiers involved in that. The statue isn't just to honor him, because, like you said, he wouldn't appreciate it. It's now much more about what the people need. I have mostly trolls under me. Most of them strong, broad shoudlered, bad ass and brave. Skilled at arms or learning. But now and then, some scrawny kid, whatever his kith, wanders in. He looks lost, maybe he feels less. maybe he wonders if he'll ever make a difference. If he sees this statue, he'll realize that you don't need biceps to be a hero. Gifts like guile with a thinking man's courage can save the day."

(Bunks) "If you do wanna talk, though, I can listen. Sometimes it helps."

(Bunks) "Thanks, no. I ..can't talk about it yet. Not till this is over. We don't need distractions"

"Interesting." Brekke nods. "Much the same has happened at Rivervale. I did not realize that others had considered it a 'trolls only' club, or so I have heard since. But many others have found place and purpose there." A glance at Sylvi. "I think you have some role in that, among others."

(B) "You aren't a distraction. You're... Nadeen. So. Yeah?" Troll eloquence, but the care and concern are genuine.

A blush and shrug from Sylvi. "It's just because I was in school. More friends from more backgrounds."

"Perhaps," Brekke nods.

Colton looks proudly at Sylvi "Sylvi definitely has a role in opening eyes for people. " A smile

"Storm, thank you for showing me this. Would you show me what space you have for training? I will practice before I rest."

(B) "I CAN'T talk about..." A sigh "I know you mean well but you'll just have to believe me"

(B) "I just... " She trails off. "Sorry."

"You'll find no shortage of that here" The Storm says "Please, follow me." And they go to a truly impressive selection of practice yard, obstacle courses, and sparring stalls. There's even a steam punk looking suit of armor that will fight you if you want. "That's Buckethead" he explains "Takes a beating, and reassembles. Think of him as a crash dummy for your weapon"

"Excellent. My thanks. If you will excuse me." A nod to both of them, and the Chieftain gets down to the business of pummeling Buckethead with a heavy stave.

(Swittching to bunks) "Dagmar.. thank you for trying . I just wish I weren't keeping you from enjoying Dark gate"

Not quite true, that's not her only wish.

A shrug. "Can visit other times. There's a trod now. What else do you wish?"

"I wish I could talk but if I do, it will change focus, it may throw folks off. So I don't dare"

True

"Because you're worried we'll get angrier at Gildas?"

A pause. "Nadeed, it wasn't the Browns, right?"

No answer

Deliberately no answer

Dagmar sits up and looks over.

She's trying not to cry. So far.. succeeding, but she's on the edge

Dag moves over to sit on Nadeen's bed, and scoops the sidhe into a hug.

And the tears flow now, unable to keep back "He killed them both I'... I couldn't.. I had to watch"

Dagmar doesn't say anything, but she rocks the sidhe and strokes her hair. Her own expression is contorted into a grimace.

tears "And... I couldnn't tell anyone. The Counntess wants us reckless and angry, wants us to lash out... she'lluse that, a win for House Balor"

Grunt. "She killed them? Okay." A dangerously calm resolve.

"No, Gildas killed them, but she's counting on it making us.. I can see the plans, the patterns. We are being pushed, Gildas thinks he's a chessmaster.. he's not another piece. if the Chieftain violates the terms, if ANYONE in Rivervale can be blamed for this.. then it hurts Hemlock, it hurts the Chief. And Balor can demand things. More trods under their control. A hold claim, more voting power .. restraint on Gwydions if need be"