#rivervale_lodge

He heads to the outside door, then puts a hand on the knob "Better than a rabbit I think"

And he opens it... Revealing Colton, who was about to knock

Sylvi's eyes go wider, and she stares at both of them as if it's an illusion. Kerri, meanwhile, grins. "Well, that's quite the trick. Welcome, Squire Colton. Come inside, we're having a bit of cold snap."

For Siv, she has gone very quiet and thoughtful still. thinking no doubt of what her mother would tell her of wars and battles that went to such extremes. Would she talk? or would she shake her head at Siv and claim it was best she did not know.

"A cold snap? I..hey, it's nice here here..." relief ,then Colton forgets the cool indoor breeze and moves towards Sylvi "Hi. I..uhm wanted to see you." A bit lame , so he smiles "which I guess you could figure out." then to the others "Hi everyone, good to see you all again."

"How...?" Then she realizes he's really there, and goes quickly to give him a hug. "You're here! Um...hi!" A bit awkward due to the surprise. "You didn't tell me you were coming."

"I wanted to surprise you. Sorry kind of? " he says embracing her, "Getting less sorry about it though. It's so cool to see you again. It's been crazy at Earth Runes. Honoria's older, and a knight... and Sir August is gone back to college, and Sir Bachdion's all mopey about something. And the wedding is soon"

Vali whispers to Kerri, "Don't you hate missing whole episodes in a Sidhe Hold soap opera?"

"I'm glad you're here, just really surprised." She smiles and brings him to a seat.

Kerri smiles at Vali's whisper, then asks, "Wedding? Whose wedding?"

The question directed to Colton.

Colton sits down , preferably with her taking a chair near him, then answers "Sir magnus truthbranch ap Fiona and Dame Claire ap Ailil."

"He's still dating the Ailil?" A touch distasteful, and yes concerned, Vali is frowning.

"No, he's MARRYING the Ailil, she's a good person, and Seelie to boot" Colton says "I thought you and Sir Magnus were friends?"

"It sounds as though it's going beyond dating," Kerri points out. "Colton, would you like something to eat or drink?"

Sylvi listens, a bit of concern on her expression. "She's one of the ones who fought during the battle there?"

"We are," Vali says,but sighs a bit "I just..well, Houses sometimes clash."//Colton says to Kerri "A drink would be nice, but i had something to eat not long ago thank you." he nods then to Sylvi "Yes. She and another Ailil nearly died next to the balefire they were protecting. Say what you want about their House, but those two knights have my respect, especilally Dame CLaire. she's..good people. though her squire.. " A face.

Kerri touches Vali's shoulder briefly, then goes into the kitchen.

"What's wrong with her squire?" Sylvi asks.

Vali nods, and keeps his quiet, then says "I better help with the drinks."

And he follows for a bit.

"She's... bad news really, she's very Ailil, and i mean that in their bad traits. she..manpulates, uses folks. Just as power trip, at least she did back before she was sained"

"So...like what we think of when we think of Ailil, you mean? Why would Dame Claire take a squire like that if she's...not like that?"

In the kitchen, Kerri sets up a tray with a jug of iced raspberry tea and several glasses, ice cubes in each one.

"the House made her do it, she hasn't sworn loyalty to them in the way most Seelie Ailil did, but they're still her House." A frown "I was gone for two weeks. No telling what spying she's done...Her squire, not the knight" Colton says

Vali says in the kitchen "I hope Magnus isn't making a huge mistake. Fiona are often a bit blind in love you know?"

"Well...maybe the knight is keeping her from doing too much spying," Sylvi says hopefully, and she slips her hand into his.

"Maybe you should speak with him, Vali," Kerri suggests. "Just to see where his thoughts are, and to maybe ease your mind."

"I hope so, Dame Claire ls atually not that good at lying, but my liege will help her" proudly "So..maybe"

Vali nods "I do worry I'm going to piss him off. You may nnot know this, Hearth, but men can be almost stupidly protective of the ladies in our lives even when the ladies don't need it and didn't ask for it. Pro tip" he adds

"Are you saying that Baroness Derynwydd is good at lying?" Sylvi grins and nudges him a little.

"You don't say!" Kerri exclaims with mock amazement, then shakes her head. "As a friend, though, it's your duty to check on his thinking, but also to accept his decision if it's final."

"No..." he nudges back and smiles at Sylvi "Just that between the two of them, they should be able to see through any machinations."

Kerri doesn't seem to be rushing with setting up the drinks.

Sylvi smiles back at Colton, glances over at the kitchen door, then leans in quickly to give him a kiss. "It's good to see you," she whispers.

And Vali nods in the kitchen "you're right, I know you're right. I just..sometimes I think the Countess is right about Fiona." A sigh "She keeps her cards close to her vest, but the general vibe I got was that thea believes that House Fiona is ...well, allergic to common sense to put it simplistically. Sometimes Magnus can be. " A sigh "Also, Many in House Ailil are involved in trying to wipe MY house out. Hard to get over that."

((BRB, sorry))

Colton looks at Sylvi and then takes the kiss, smiles "I missed you so much. I felt like such a creep when I found out I was gone that long. I mean, I was planning on visiting you in..oh how did it go?"

Siv seems to have smirked at something and then gone upstairs to find things to do. the breeze can be fond there too

Kerri nods. "Fiona's not the most practical house, no, but they're not exactly unsuccessful, either. As for the enmity between her house and yours, that can't be reassuring. But have you actually spent any time speaking with this woman? Perhaps you could understand what he sees in her."

"You're talking sense and good advice again, Hearth. that's getting to be a habit with you" Vali accuses

Sylvi meant it to be a quick kiss, but she can't resist going back for another. "It was crazy. Especially right near the end. Dika-Hannah took me on a quest I wasn't expecting and it was...kind of amazing."

A mock-offended look from Kerri. "Getting to be a habit? It's just that you were never paying attention in your younger years, Sir." A wink and a glance to the door. "I think we've given the lovebirds enough time to nuzzle."

"Yeah?" he smiles "Dika-Hannah sounds nice. So you're a hero...quest done yourself? you know, I recently quested too. Maybe we could..." A hopeul look, "Compare notes at my place"

vali nods "True, and yes we have" He swings the door open "Hey got the drinks..." Loud enough for the two younger wilders to hear

"Maybe...." Sylvi's very interested look gets interrupted as she jumps a bit at Vali's declaration. "Oh...um...yum! Drinks. Yay." A wan smile to Colton.

"YaY" colton says with a ssigh

Kerri tries not to roll her eyes as she follows Vali back in.

Vali does help with the drinks and smiles "Something icy to cool the young sir off" to Colton.//"Gee, thanks" Colton says

Sylvi knows exactly what Vali is doing and gives him a look while she says, "Thank you. Thanks, Mom," she adds.