#rivervale_lodge

A blush "Aye, bout the only time I really get out and about. Most of the lads around here are either too old by a handful of years, or too young being closer to sylvi's age. Not that i'd mind an older man, but you make that face is I start talking about a lad in his early twen...yeah, that face."

Brekke consciously reins the eyebrow back down. "Well. There are the boys at the DeBuke farm...?"

"oh, well, am.. I allowed to go there I mean, I thought MAYbE I would be... but.." Hopeful, "Sally Mae is happy to escort me, but she has things to do and I'd worry I'd be a bother to her. mind you, Sally Mae doesn't answer all my questions," A bit put out, "Says somethings are for your approval not hers nor even mine. And here I thought our Hearrth got her learning her free thinking side? no cure for parental indoctrination I fear." MIGHt be inserting some humor in this

They eyebrow just won't stay put. "Parental privilege, I would say. Still...when your father is back, sometime tonight we three will sit and talk about...all this." A sip of coffee...then after a few quiet moments, "What questions does Sally Mae say are my territory?" She seems to be bracing herself.

"I'll hold off on that I think, you've been through enough shocks today "So I can go to the DeBukes by myself sincce the trod's right here?"

"I would like to approve that with the DeBukes first. As we did when Sylvi started visiting, so do not think that it is a matter of overprotection -- it is courtesy to a neighbor."

"True, I don't want to be a chore for em." She says "And speaking o which, I know that if they see me with nothing to do they might give me something to do. Clem taught me that." A chuckle, "She did go on about the land there, but me I think I prefer the woods here, " Thoughtful, "the sea has a great song, and I'll hold it in my heart always, but there's a sweet melody here too... it's in the trees and wind, and there's the harmony of valley and hill.... I do like it, you know? the trees you've shown, and the paths along their base... the creek rushing like it's something fierce you just want to pet it. And the animals growing still, then moving again if you show quiet and respect."

Brekke listens, and her expression goes soft...a slow nod. Eventually she quietly says, "It means a great deal to me that you have learned to love this land, Siv."

"How could I not? Mom... when you're perfectly still and the wind rustles your hair as leaves in the trees and you look down on the lodge from the high point of the valley, and the sun's on your shoulder and the smell of good earth and forest root and flower ... you may not always show it on your face, but I can feel the love you have for it. I may never have the same..connection, but how could i not love something that makes me mother so happy?" quite serious. "I think I'll always want to visit the Sea though. Twas my nursery, and the ship my crib."

Quietly, "It is the land I care for." Simply, as if that says it all....but then she points out, "It was very hard to be away from it in the Dreaming for so long. I think that, perhaps, how you feel about the land here is how I feel about the sea, and how you feel about the sea is how I feel about this land."

A tilt of her head, "Yes, I suppose it is. And... Dad? Does he feel that way about the road? or is he... I guess with him its about you. He's happy where you are."

A quiet grin and she looks to the 'Fire again. "Yes. I think you are right."

A wistful smile of her own, "Don't worry, mother. I'll never be so lost to the sea's song that I don't come back here to Rivervale. And I don't plan on going to sea again for long for years."

Brekke glances to her. "The seas here are so different than the seas in the Dreaming, Siv. But then again...everything is."

"And I'll learn them too. Dad's a trucker, I can work ships. Maybe I'll become a marine biologist and study Narwhals, mortal ones. Oh mother, the sea's in such trouble in this world. I know dad loves the mortals, but soemtimes I get so angry hearing about it. An ISLAND of junk and plastic? WHALERS in a world full of so many options for whatever a whale would provide? Twits who deny warming and... oh... makes me made enough to root for the shark in movies."

A sad grin and nod. "It is hard to witness. But yes...Siv, you could truly make a difference that way. I turned to the forests...your father turned to the roads...your sister went to the land of heat, but you might well find your role upon the sea."

"I might, and I know that means studying" She says, "Oh but mom, while we wait for dad... did you know that some whales ARE making a comeback thanks to the Dreamers father likes? Oh I'd like to thank them... and they have studies..." She rattles on. And Brekke learns her daughter, who is still not sure on the options of some tech, is actually learning all she can on Marine biology and the oceans with a fierceness for learning she doesn't always show probably because she doesn't see it as anything to crow about. but how many teens would do this? And she's not asking for adventure, or about boys, but a love of animals ...and while her mother is of the wood, and Siv of the Sea, Brekke can feel a connection there with her daughter that they can share.

(End scene?)

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