#rivervale_lodge

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Siv turns down the music she's playing, and then opens the door, "Talk? Sure. "

Brekke sits by the Balefire with her coffee while Frank goes to ask Siv to come downstairs.

Frank scratches his beard. "Downstairs." He pauses. "Let's talk downstairs."

"Sure dad, " a dubious look, "I won't be walking the plank now will I?" She heads on down the steps, smelling of ocean breezes

"No." He follows her to where Brekke sits.

She nods a hi to her mother "Mum, da. What's this about?"

A slight smile for Siv, and then she notes the girl's expression, and asks Frank, "Did you intend to intimidate her?"

"Oh, mum, ,not intimidated, it's just, normally 'we need to talk' means I've done something that worries you both"

He frowns. "No...." In response to Brekke's question.

"Well...yes, that is fair. Siv, about Samhain. Your father and I have spoken about your hopes, and your concerns."

"Aye," She does glance to her father, then back to her mum "I know i..didn't necessarily deliver the concerns and hopes in the way you both might of liked"

And Siv tries to be more trollish, schooling her features with dignity and stoic patience. Of course, her foot taps on the floor now that she has a seat.

Frank waves that away; the bruising is hardly noticeable.

She shakes her head. "It is what it is, and you have learned a lesson about timing when your father is using tools. But we have some options to offer you, and we would like to know which you prefer. First, if you do wish it, Thane Bancroft is welcome to spend Samhain here."

"Well, first I wanted to go out and about on Samhain like some of the other wilders will, but da wants me here so, I thought I'd try to respect that, and if it would truly help you both through a trying night, then..." A breath " I thought maybe I should, but I also wanted ..uhm.. I like Bancroft, and..well, you two are fine company but .." A shrug "Someone me own age ? who I like?"

"Don't have to stay here for me." Frank says.

"Siv, yes, all this is understood. And there is a second option." A glance at Frank before she continues. "If you would prefer, I can ask Baron Kealan if he would be willing to host you in Teaneck."

Frank nods.

"Are, " a deep breath, "I appreciate the offer more than you know, but seelie or unseelie, I love you both, and mother you in particular often feel so sad when you're in winter mode, and father is so angry at anything that might make you feel worse. Are you sure you don't want me here, with or without bancroft if it will make ... it easier?" A look at them, "I will stay, and without Bancroft if that's what truly helps you. Just because I won't be afraid that I might be tempted doesn't mean I need seek it out."

Frank looks at Brekke.

Brekke catches Frank's glance and nods briefly before answering Siv. "My daughter, you have only known my darkness while we were at sea. Here, I am able to manage it differently. Perhaps I do not manage it well, but it is not the same as when we are in close quarters. It is not your burden to carry." A pause. "We both love you, and we both accept your wilderhood. You must celebrate Samhain as fits you best. The choice is yours."

"Besides..." she adds with a hint of a wry grin "...you may not see much of me at all if you stay."

"Us." Frank puts a hand on Brekke's shoulder.

Brekke gives Frank a grateful look.

Siv gives them both hugs, "Then I shall celebrate it thusly. I shall honor the fallen, and my heritage here, as the sun sets. I shall call on the names of trollish legends of the before times. Then, I shall remember though an oafish brat I might be when I am an unseelie, I am YOUR oafish brat and daughter, and take pride in that and try to do nothing that would disgrace either of you, though admitedly my judgment of what is disgrace might vary then especially with yours. I shall see Bancroft, and try to resist his charms if charms he exerts " A troubled look at something there, a frown of annoyance at a thought "And I shall partake in festivities for the night, perhaps a few pranks upon the pooka homes."

Frank looks troubled at parts of this, but pleased at others and hugs her carefully back.

Surprised by the hug, Brekke returns it a bit awkwardly, and nods at Siv's declaration. "I think that is a fine plan."

"Good, I'm not one for planning, I tend to look after I leap I know" A smile as the hugs part, "Sides, it's been pointed out to me that there's nothing I could do with Bancroft on Samhain that I couldn't do any other day, and then I'd even remember it"

Frank makes a strangled sound and goes a bit purple.

A pained look. "Perhaps you could spare your parents some concern, Siv? Even the illusion of nothing-to-worry-about?"

It's said with a modicum of humor. "You have good sense, and we trust you to use it, whatever your court."

"oh, I forget how tender you two are sometimes" She says apologetically but covers a smile "Thank you. Ah fine, here is a thought that made me frown, but most like would cheer you both a little. Tis always possible, be it in a week, or at 18 winters as I planned it, if I offer the flower of me womanhood to Bancroft or any other gardener of my choosing that he might say no, for reasons of his own. I , of course, would want to die of embarrassment, and possibly need help burying the body of the lad, whose consent I totally respect, but ... you know, still had to die. I might exagerate a touch, but the point is... takes two to tango and me partner of choice might not feel like dancing" a sigh

"No salt tears," Brekke corrects automatically -- a condition that has probably become something of a family tradition as Siv has grown. Then she gives Siv a serious look. "It is possible. And...I wish I felt I could give wise counsel in that situation. But yes...be aware that his interest is not a given, and that it is not a race to find your partner. Some things are well worth the wait and the work." Another look to Frank.

Frank's grip on Brekke's should flexes. Tighter.

"That applies to you as well, My Heart...no salt tears."

A grunt.

Siv looks at her parents, "Worth waiting for. Aye. I see that. " A blush at something. "And twas an exaggeration. " a beat "if you kill men, they don't learn nothing" Then a happy smile, "I can't tell you what it means that you both are willing to trust me so. I know it doesn't seem like it ,but I do listen. I just don't always...see what you're trying to show me."

"Part of being a wilder."

"Mm." A nod, and then she looks at her coffee mug. "I only hope what we say has value. At any rate...that is all I wanted to say, Siv. Let us know what you choose, so we will know whether or not to expect you home. I will need to contact Baron Kealan if you prefer to be there."

"Got to be planned in that much detail then? I know about starting here with the honoring of the past. The rest I meant to play more by ear?"

A soft sigh.

"Well..." a pause "...then I will advise Baron Kealan that he might be expecting you. It would be easier for us if there were limited options for where you might be...but..." she shakes her head "It is not necessary. You can defend yourself well."

"I'll take my cutlass with me, should I have mace or a knife in my boot as well? " She's actually looking quite serious on that

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Then I will" Siv says instantly

"I would suggest that as a matter of course."

"Then at least one chimerical weapon, one deterrent that works on mortals like mace or maybe a taser. A knife in the boot to top it out." She says "If it helps set your minds at ease even a little bit, it's worth the extra weight or trouble"

Brekke nods, "And extra dross."