#rivervale_lodge

"Unless she herself told him. which is possible. Honestly, it's been harder to spy on her when he's around. He knows too many of my agents tricks. " A smile "For a time, I over used raven form. I've had to get more creative since then. I don't think he'd be a good spy on her himself. He has her trust, but he's a compromised agent as they might sya in the intelligence game."

She frowns. "That is not what I want. I do not want people spying on her." Troubled. "But...you trust him." Checking, verifying.

"Chief, I don't have any spies in your lodge proper. Like I said, some wander through your fief now and then. You can use that Boon if you like on that" he offers and repeats "I don't have any spies in your lodge proper. Some do wander your fief now and then. Your daughter is not a suspect in any serious investigations though her actions on talk like a pirate day were noted." Then to answer her question "Yes. I trust him. He can be sneaky, and they say beware the quiet ones. But I find him to be an honorable young man, in truth, he has more scrupples than I do. It's why I don't use him as a spy. He has't the right temperment. He IS intrigued by her, and i suspect romantically he is interested. I also suspect she rather likes him back but you would know better than I. Your daughter is ah.. more of a flirt than I expected she would be, and I don't mean that negatively, she's never malicious about it. She's a breeze of laughter in an all too stuffy world."

A slow, thoughtful nod, and another sip. "I trust your word Kealan, but thank you for repeating." She pauses. "Siv is, yes, very different than her father an I. It is refreshing and maddening." A wry grin, and she shakes her head. "I think I have always have known her teen years would be difficult, but dating a sidhe...." She gives him an apologetic look. "No offense intended."

Kealan laughs at that, "Oh none taken, we are , at the least, the very role model of high maintenance. I have reports from one agent in a Fiona hold in grass I keep coming largely because it's fantastic soap opera. " He ponders, "I can see why you'd be cautious. Are they actually dating? I haven't quite seen signs of that. More like they move around each other trying to decide how if ever to proceed. She IS your daughter, perhaps there is enough of you and frank that she knows that should she every truly love, it might be forever, annd she's exercising some Un wilder like prudence? As for him, he's ..patient."

"Well, she has spoken of him enough that I know what her nickname for him is. He is in her attention. Perhaps they have not dated, but I feel the need to add 'yet' to that sentence. I hope she is learning good things from us, yes...." That furrow between her brows again...and she takes another drink.

"Brekke" he says shaking his head "i've known you for years, and let me tell you, being a parent is complicated no matter what your offspring is like. If they're too much like you, they end up annoying you because they hold a mirror up. If theyr'e too different, they feel like they are from another planet. But the key is love, and I don't need a file on you to know that you are a great mom, and Frank is a great dad. That girl is happy, AND competent, and you both work to prepare her as best you can. Siv's parents have given her a whole trunk of good things to work with. No parent can do more than you two have. You teach, you trust and provide order as best you can in the amounts you think they can handle, and you love. You and Frank don't need anyone's approval, but assuming you don't mind it being offered anyway? You done good"

She colors slightly and grins as she looks into the glass. "You, my baronial friend, are kind. Perhaps far kinder than I deserve. But thank you. And...I do hope that you are correct. It is good to hear how you see her. I do hope she is happy, but it is a relief to hear that you see the signs of it."

"I try not to pry too deeply but that is what I see of what I see,' He takes a drink "You do realize that sucess breeds interest. Our Falcon Dowager is not entirely joking when she talks of trying to recruit from your fief. She's far too canny not to recognize talent. Heck, she pinched one of my best cooks after I had her over, and then she wrote a very gracious thank you letter. I take it you want to keep all of them at Rivervale as long as they are willing to remain?"

"I...do...but..." She's thinking about it. "I do not want to curtail them from seeking their advantage if they wish..."

"Would youlike me to keep you posted if other nobles start expressing an interest in them? "

A frown, and a nod. "I do not want to lose anybody...but perhaps there is only so much advancement I can offer here. As your Barony is mostly traditional, mine is mostly not, and so I do not bestow titles here and there. I would not wish to start...but perhaps some crave that."

"Tradition can be a bit of a facade at times" he says thoughtfully "I'll let you know, of course. I think Sylvi has...doubts about the system. That's natural. I think she'd see greater worth in titles like Chieftain, Hearth, Mountan and Storm than she ever will in Baron or even Count. Siv sees herself as crew, though a captiancy on a ship might rally her . I honestly think your daughter would go into knight errancy if she were knighted not because she flees duty but because she likes freedom to do it.Dagmar? mmm well, the reports o that... this bugman incident." his own brow knits "I know what it sounds like. Saining will reveal much. As for Gerd? Adorable girl. Sir Vali is a good guardian but I feel he should know she's taking advantage of his new day job. You do know she's been wandering again? I don't think he does."

Meanwwhile, Dagmar tries to think of how to convince her dad to let her learn how to ride without soundding like a girly girl and saying she wants a pony

She gives him a pointed look. "We really need to speak more often, for you seem to know far more about my Lodge than I do. But...Gerd is wandering? No, I had not realized. Wandering where?"

"Often after Connor. " he says "Which is commendable. Troll guardianship. But the DeBuke bridge, is frequent, and trips to New Agengard where she plays with the ward there when the Countess is occupied. But she's been all over Bergen talking to other childlings, some who are not part of any lodge . I think she's lonely for boys and girls her own agge who are also fae. That's how she was able introduce connor to some kids at Pennons."

A narrow look. "Kealan, do you keep such close tabs on all the various households in the area?" She takes a sip. "Childlings. I know there are several...but the wilders have been central to my focus lately. If both she and Connor have been seeking out their own adventures...I should invite childlings to the Lodge sometimes, give them a place to meet." A sigh. "I am not very good with childlings."

((I sent that ages ago, but Slack rejected it.))

OOC: Bad slack, no biscuit

BIC: "Actually, not i, but my agents. Ad I try to respect certain boundaries...not IN the holds for example. I don't have a sluagh hanging in your rafters and taking short hand, for example. Tacky. "A bit of humor in his eyes there, then "If you would lie some pressure off, My hold can host a few times for a 'childlings group'? At least folks might know where they are."

"If you would be willing, I think that would be a fine option...and good exposure for the childings. Provided, of course, that kindness will be shown to commoners. I know you yourself would, but I hope the other nobles of your household will do the same."

"If they don't they won't be part of my Household forr long" A soft snort "I'm Scathach not a 'pure sidhe' by some standards. I'll not have childlings put up with similar bigotries under my roof, but yes, I'll make sure of it. Chieftain, I answer to the Count when it comes to my reports, but you're his most trusted vassall. If there is something you want me to look into, but ask. Worst I can say is 'no' or 'other priorities are in play'"

A slight chuckle. "That second option makes you sound like one of those Magic 8-Ball toys."

"Well, that figures, you did shake me at the joust... and I came up hazy and had to try again" He points out

A laugh then. "Well said."

"I.." the door opens/ Siv enters then seeing the Baron bows "Ah, pardon. I...just wanted to talk to mum"

"That would be my cue to go," the Baron says then looks to Brekke "Chieftain, thank you for keeping good care of the horse. Congratulations on your lodge's many vitories, all well earned"

Brekke reaches to offer him a wrist clasp. "And thank you for the conversation as well as the ransom price. And I mean it, Baron...we should speak more often. Travel safely."

"I'll clear a few days in my schedule" A smile as he clasps her wrist. For a moment the Scathach does look a bit weary, his years visible. Wasn't he the younger one? "And Daan's blessings on you and yours." He heads to get the horse but not before nodding to Siv , "Congratulations on the victory, Waveborne."//"thank you Baron" She beams/ Then he leaves and she looks about, making sure no small ears are about as best she can "mum? uhm... " A deep breath "Next holiday is a doozy and I worry when i'm unseelie I might be tempted to sleep with a lad. What do I do?"

She's BRIGHT Purple in the cheeks