#odyssey

"Dumb to think that the only outcome is one where everybody loses if you can bodge out one where everybody wins. Engineering ain't always pretty, but there's gotta be a fix."

A nod at that "heritage is important"

"I have two families, right? Maybe three, depending on how you count Silverwolf."

“We do not come and go. Redfin live our lives here, on the Islands. If fate rules that she must be a dry lander, then so be it.”

She raises an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I mean, that's what you've done."

"But why do it if there's a better option?"

Gwen braces for a possible ire

She is certainly stiff. “Better, you say. You do not understand. Our existence, our very lives, souls, and kin's, depend on our secrecy. More so than even the Escheat can protect. WE must remain secret to be safe.”

“Start opening up to tourists and pleasure cruises, and all we have worked for and bled for and fought for could be lost.”

"I'm not saying tourists and pleasure cruises. I'm saying your grandchildren."

"I get why it's important the Redfin continue, to save your seal kin. To preserve what would be lost."

“We cannot trust our secrets to those who are not part of our lineage, and raised to follow our ways! Take her from the island, and she will be raised as a drylander in a world of pine trees and cold water. She may have our blood, but will not be Redfin.”

Gwen frowns at this. But bites down on what she might want to say

"That's your choice to make, as Chief. But..." She shrugs. "Just because something has been done - I mean, you're the Chief."

"Ultimately, things are happening by choice."

"We're not just hapless pawns, bobbing along without agency, wherever the waves carry."

"Sometimes it's a bitch to fight a tide. You can't stop a tide. But you can swim through it, or get sucked under." She gestures, her hand shooting like a seal breaking a wave.

Gladiola shoots a 'caution' look to Thistle, but then remembers the girl isn't a troll

There is a flash of anger - perhaps people don’t question The Redfin, so she’s not used to it. But… she listens, at least. She does not snap, argue, not interrupt.

"Lots of fixes aren't perfect, that's for sure. I'm a nocker, the universe really wants me to know that nothing is ever gonna be perfect. But that doesn't mean there can't be something that can work."

"Fer (*&^%$'s sake, you think I wanna deny you the chance to get to know the baby? Or Frankie? There HAS to be a fix. So what if it's... y'know, a specialty one, not a standard? People ain't standard issue."

"If they can't come here, we rent a beach house in Jersey and you come visit. And TRUST me, the Jersey Shore ain't nobody's idea of perfect. Good hot dogs, though."

“Fight your Challenge, first. Perhaps you will win. Perhaps you will lose. Then, we will talk.”

She gestures broadly. "Or maybe something else! I dunno, but there's always a fix." Jabbing a finger against her palm for emphasis.

"Thank you for hearing us out, Chieftess."

It isn’t giving in, agreeing, or declining, but - it is an offer to listen.

And she takes her friend's hand gently

"Let's go, Thistle. You will want to prep"

A nod. "Sure. Right. Doing the challenge. Thanks for listening."

"Oh..." realization "Chieftess, you told us when, but traidionally what form does the Skill CHallenge take ? To prep for it, it might be good to know at least as much as Omario would?"

Saoirse looked wary when another question was posed, but seems to relax a little when it is not a potential criticism of her leadership or the ways of her clan.

"Please" She adds

“The third and final Challenge will be of Skill. You will be granted materials such that the island has to offer, and given time to create a work that speaks from your soul. It must win against the creation of the defender, or his Champion. Cantrips may be used, but the work should be a demonstration of your skill and of yourself. To define further, would be to limit imagination and be counter to the challenge.”

A nod "Thank you"

"Mm. Okay."

She points out a figure to Art. “Speak with her if you wish, she is one of our talekeepers. Her line claims Orisha blood, far down the line. She can tell you of our stars.” Art grins-

“-Though perhaps you should be readying for your challenge.”

“With respect, Chieftess?” Art answers, “I think it will help.”

To Thistle and Gwen, “You want to come with, or did you need to go looking for that …mill thing?”

"Sure?"

"I should see the pugmill. And the kiln. Yeah."

The Chieftess gives directions, then takes her leave.

The stories are compelling - some old, some new, some… same, yet different in the telling.

Of the Pugmill? Well…

(PAUSE)