#odyssey

"I mean, we can't fail. I'm allowed champions, but still."

"I think we can agree we're all worried and we all have doubts, but we also know we can't focus on that. It'll defeat us before we begin. We can only do our best, get each other's backs when we''re allowed"

"And... damn, Rocky, you better be, like Rocky FOUR Rocky, right?"

"If you need me for the test of courage, you got me" Gwen assures "Daireann don't back down"

"We need you!" Art quickly adds. "You're the fighter. Well, Thistle can fight. You're our warrior."

"Well, if courage is a fight. If courage is being a stubborn cuss, I can do that."

He grins at that.

"Yeah, you could, but I would like to help"

A chuckle

"But Aofie tells me Courage IS a fight"

"Have you given any more thought to names? We can't just keep calling her "the baby"."

"I thought they were calling her a name already, 'Leanbh-cailín'... but I guess that just means baby girl. Like, 'sweetie' or 'darling'."

"I was thinking - is there something Irish that's, like, "from the sea?"

"Because she's still that, even when we bring her home."

"Maybe I can find a name in some of the notes we got from the Selkie's boat. Those would be... you know, Selkie, but not Redfin, not specifically."

"I was also thinking about... Brigid. Maybe Bridget to be modern."

"CL I think are the initials"

Then "Brigid or Bridget might be nice. Think Janice would like it?"

"Brigid's really cool - you familiar with her? She's an irish goddess."

"Fire, smiths, and poetry I think?" Nothing like a celtic house to force you to study

"Exactly - fire, and art, and MAKING..."

A grin, "You might be a little biased but is a pretty name. See, I'm thinking 'flower name' because who doesn't LOVE a flower name? No biases here" She winks

"Well, she's not really a member of the Baron's court of flowers, is she?" Art considers. "-I- don't have a floral name. Arthur means BEAR." He flexes a slender arm.

"In some cultures Bear is known for wisdom" She says

"Is that so?" A little reassured.

"For the second challenge - if it's okay with you, Thistle? I was thinking... riddles."

"Wait, you mean you do the riddles or Thistle does?"

He looks a little uncertain. "I thought... I could?"

"You'd be good at it, I just wanted to know who was getting which challenge straight in my head" She assures

"You are good at riddles..."

She bites on her lip. "Three challenges, three of us."

He nods.

"All for one, One for all"

A smile. "All for one, and One for all." He agrees, offering a hand out between the girls.

"Fuck yeah." She grabs their hands.

And Gwen does the same

A firm shake, and he grins. "Do you think you can sleep? We can go look at the stars for a while... they're so bright out here."

"Geez, what time is it?"

"No phone, no watch..." He says sheepishly - "But the sun should set around 7pm around here."

"Now, if we were in St. Lucia, the sun would set almost a full hour earlier. Not to mention Alaska, it would be setting as early as 2:30, 3pm in the Winter..."

"Your'e better than an almanac" A smile

"I should try to sleep..."

"But maybe watching starts would help?"

"C'mon. I'll point out the constellations. If anyone else is around, I want to ask if they have different names for them..."

Gwen looks unsure . Her troll brain is a bit paranoid but no, Haven should protect them "I think I'll get some sleep early. You two look after each other and enjoy the stars"

"Thanks. C'mon, Art..." She casually grabs him by the hand, to head for the shore.

He looks at the hand clasped between them, as though something has only just occurred to him. Then, he nods. "Right. The stars!" He is lead off.

Citrine flits into the air, about to follow through the tent flap.

Gwen goes to the room offered at the hold. She's sure it's lovely, wonderful, but she misses Ivan

This freehold is not quite like any she has experienced - at least, not in this lifetime. There is no feeling of a Balefire, but the glamour is strong and flows in the very air and ground, like the pulse of the earth. It's at least as strong as Silverwolf - she suspects, Stronger.

As promised - a phone is offered as well!

She thanks them, and texts her mom TXT We're safe and sound. Still questing. Miss you all. Pet Ivan for me. Love you, mom ❤️