#rivervale_lodge

"Thanks. Just don't ask me to do math."

"One day you're going to face an alegbra nervousa and your'e going to need to know how to kill it by solving it"

Eyes wide. "Don't even say that!" She punches his shoulder.

A chuckle from the older troll

Not a serious punch, but that was SCARY.

after he 'omph's as is proper. She's owed an omph no matter how hard she hit

A brief shudder, and she looks around them. "Is this what patrol is usually like?"

"Mostly folks saying hi, helping them out? "

"Yeah. I guess...I guess I thought it was either a lot more dangerous, or a lot more lonely."

"That too, it depends on where you patrol. The Chief prefers to roam closer to the wood, it's...solitude and duty. She still looks out for trouble. Chimera are more likely there, but Chimera that get too close to kithina family are more likely to do damage so it evens out. And sometimes, you can run into ravagers, nightmare chimera, or worse. We still might, though it looks like a quiet night. Me? I prefer to let the folks see us. when I first tried to patrol. I took more..social paths. I want folks to know we're here for them. But both ways have their merits. You'll figure out your own favorite ways. Just keep your eyes out when it happens. "

"I guess...if they know we're here for them...they'll be here for us, too. That's how that works, right? I mean, that's why folks all over help when things go bad...." A frown. "Should we tell them about what happened? About Dad?"

"Word will get out eventually, my advice? Let your mother set the narrative. The Chief will direct it if she thinks necessary but she's not one for obfuscation, and your mom knows the local boggans. The truth will out, but let them decide how much how fast. "

She nods, comfortable with not having to make that kind of decision yet. "They'll tell us if something is wrong back at the Lodge, right? If there's an attack or anything?"

"Yes. You do realize this is a big step. Your dad , while a bad ass, is only one troll. They don't really NEED all of us in force like this? This is as much a sign of power as anything, and it's also a.. . it's recognition of you and the other younger wilders. The mountain and Chief don't WANT Siv on patrol, but they realize it's time. And Dagmar maybe unsained, but Jaymes will try to teach her to be ready for that part of the loddge life. And then there's you. Your dad is protective fo you with boys. Yes. But he's showing a lot of confidence in you now, as is your mom. This is their way of letting everyone see who we are, how STRONG we are, and you younger wilders aren't just being given somethign to do, you are a part of that show of force, you are being recognized as strengths"

A longish silence, then she says, "I really didn't realize what everybody was saying at first, but...yeah....I mean, I've been doing Emissary stuff, and that was so not safe in so many ways, but this...this is different. It feels more important. And...yeah, I'm kind of proud about that. But I don't like that there's that much of a threat. I don't want it here. I don't want it near my family or my home." She frowns...and it's a proper grown-up troll frown, not a pout.

"None of us do. We're trolls. We hold. When what we love and serve is threatened, we rise. When it is hurt..." A hint of darkness in his eyes "Well, Fate have mercy on them, for we will not."

She looks at him, realizing something. "If they come here again...if the Fir Bholg comes here, somehow...we don't have to show mercy. Because they attacked first."

"And they are not protected by the Escheat, only the code of Dagda might hold us in check and even then? The chief will tell you how she sees it, but when facing a foe of equal or greater power? When no quarter was given by the foe? We may inform them that none will be granted in return, and if they do not flee. They learn we're not bluffing. " Vali explains "I am not eager to have any of you kids..pardon, teens, kill but no. I don't think we have to show mercy"

Silence again as she walks, but of a different flavor.

Vali moves along then, the patrol quieter. And yet, those neighbors who see the trolls can feel comforted by what they see even if it is iess social. Two sweet old boggans sewing on a porch watch them going by "Oh, it's the Rivervale crew. New faces." "New look." "yes. They're ready for a fight." "Oh definitely dear. I almost pity whoever has set them off. Our chief and her crew will.." "fuck them up so badly they'll cry?" "Well, yes, just so." KNit knit

(End Scene?)

(Yes, perfect)

--------

Dagmar has been pinned to the couch by a purring ball of Meezer-cat.

Dagmar can hear Siv talking to that sidhe boy "One of our own no less, and knowing the lodge.. and still being after em? Oh thee'll be hell to pay for this mind you. You ken me?"

A simple "yes."

"Now the Count's on alert and we have help in the fief, and that means now's the tiem to strike if you ask me. While that lumphead thinks we're hiding, we go out and take him down"

"We? Who is we?" A calm voice

"That's the part I'm WORKING On."

She lifts her head, listening. Sitting up, alas, does not seem to be an option.

Indeed, any moment leads to more stubborn cat snuggle/grab

"By Lumphead, you don't mean the count?"

"No no, the lumphead this time is the Fir Bholg. ANd you're the lump. Get it right. It's all very simple" She says

"of course

"

"I just.. I need Sylvi on board. she's a better leader than I, good ideas and all... and also it's her father what was wrong so she's a right to justice"

"Sure it's not revenge?"

"C'mon, Odin..."

"Whatever it is, I want it" Siv says "If only we could take that bastard out of the near dreaming. Dagmar could help us.. she hits as hard as some of the veterans"

Odin rows a protest but.. moves

"I could help." She offers from beneath the cat.

Siv turns blushing a bit "ah, didn't ..was I being that loud, Bancroft?"

The sidhe nods "yes."

She gives him a look, "Well why didn't ye warn me." Clearly her volume was his fault. She then turns to Dagmar "I know you could. But I'm still working on details. ANd.. We might end up grounded for a year"

"or die" Bancroft points out.

"Feh" Siv says, waving it off

"I'm already basically grounded, right? But nobody said we couldn't go after a monster."

"We're trolls, we do that - right?"

"We do" Siv says "We need Sylvi in on this"

"Sure... Sylvi's a good leader."