#rivervale_lodge

The box will certainly be put to use.

Siv approaches her mom, "Mother, you wanted to see me? " A raised brow at the pell's dings and dents, "I almost feel sorry for the thing"

"Do you? Take its place, then." She gestures to the stack of practice weapons. And she seems serious.

"Yes, mum" She gets the practice weapon most akin to her favored cutlass.

She waits, not smiling, watching for Siv to arm up, then takes a stance. "Attack."

Siv attacks, but in a weaving fashion meant to keep her foot work available if she needs it. She's better than she used to be about telegraphing.

Brekke waits for it calmly, watching, and blocks the strike when it comes, immediately returning it with the next beat.

Siv weaves back, or tries to, getting clipped, though she managed to avoid the worst of the force. It still stings. Siv grins, Game and tries again. Her mother seems to be an economy of motion, using what she needs and no more. Siv can't seem to help but put her body as a whole into every attack she tries...key word TRY.

Brekke style today seems almost passive, almost a target, until the very last moment, and then....block-STRIKE. And each one of those ripostes gets a little bit sharper.

A grunt "Brillaint" Siv admits ..."Have to teach me that sometime." The girl backs up, chargles, tumbles and springs, a move meant to surprise!

It doesn't. Brekke ducks so that Siv hurtles directly over her shoulders, then comes up with a turn to swat the girl's backside as she flies past.

The wilder, already flying, finds herself LAUNCHED as the extra push in the buttocks. She skids to the edge of the ring, and it is to her credit that she manages to tumble and roll and get up again without losing her blade, but she's clearly staggered . "Well... that's humbling" She admits

No answer, except now Brekke isn't passive. She's followed Siv to her landing spot, and is winding up a swing at her legs.

Siv does not whine, and instead goes full defense, moving like a spring gazelle to keep distance.

Another one, to her midsection.

Advance, swing....

Parried rather than dodged, THAT Might catch her mom off guard.

Unfortunately, going full defensive is the only way she's surviving.

Not much. A small circular move brings the blade back to her other side.

And she gets stung there, as she only partially deflects that one.

And the girl is tiring.

A thrust at her midsection, enough force to shove, not wound.

Talk about sucking in your gut... she still gets bumped and is pushed back. Siv's being worn down....poked and proded and played with.

And suddenly....the attack stops.

Brekke steps back, barely breathing hard.

Siv on the other hand, is sucking in air to replace that which was lost, and bends over a bit, then finally "That was fun ...though I do appreciate you ...letting me get a moment to pick up my lungs. I think I left them about 6 feet that way"

"Hmph." Another swing of her blade, but not a threatening one. "Odd. I was getting the idea that some around here felt I could not defend myself."

"What? " that does confuse her

"Givee me another second... need air for brain"

Brekke stands and waits, frowning.

Then finally, "Okay. Care to elaborate? Because you seem mad at me, and I don't think I've ever said you can't defend yourself in a fight? Honest and truth mum, I tell folks you're the best warrior in the Duchy"

That eyebrow is powerful. "But you feel the need to ban people from the Lodge, on my behalf?"

Oh she's going to have some bruises she knows. And she's not lost on the fact that if this had been a real fight, she'd be dead twice..no, twice and a half times over.

"Oh." She says "Mental note to self. Apologize like it's a sprint not a marathon. First, I didn't formally BAN anyone, I told someone to go away and they weren't welcome here.... I spoke only in my own name at the time...best s I can recall, because it was on Samhain when it happened. Second. I have apologized to Tiffany already. Then to the Hearth. I got her a Turnip Twaddler. " That seems improtant, the Twaddler, "Third... it was Samhain. Am I wrong, or does not Da himself get protective of you on that night when you are at your most vulnerable?"

She's wishing she had a bit more air but she thinks she's keeping a fair and even tone.

A narrowed look. "Let us get one thing clear, daughter...this Lodge is the seat of the barony. Samhain or not, you do not have the authority to tell another fae she is unwelcome here. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mother" She nods instantly. There are no elaborations, no evasions, no excuses or protests.

She is still scowling. A pause, then a lower tone, "It is good you have apologized to them both."

"It was the right thing to do. " Siv says "One should mend the sails they tore"

Siv does avoid the scowl. She's rather be struck by the practice blade again that have her mother dissppointed and hurt "And I'm thinking maybe I should apologize to you as well then. I acted as a daughter in a rage, but I forgot you were more than a mother, must always be. I apologize for any shame you feel I caused you, and for forgetting your duties and I am sorry if I slighted those duties or you"

A slow deep breath...and a nod. "Thank you. Do not undermine my authority again, Siv." A pause. "At least...do not do so in the name of my protection. I can, and do, protect myself." Another pause, and her voice goes lower. "If the day comes where you must defy my word for the sake of Lodge or balefire, then that is a different matter. But that day is not now."

A guilty look "I...I never meant to undermine mother. but I see I did. I'm blunt and not a leader. I ..suppose sometimes I'm not even very good at following. I have to learn how to balance my urge to protect with thought and respect for the duties and honors of others. I'll try... I WILL learn."

A sigh, and she relents, nodding. "You will, Siv. It is only months since you were living at sea. It takes time to learn how to live in a kingdom. This is one step closer. Thank you." She turns and goes to put her practice weapon away, retrieving Speaker from the side of the ring after she does so.

"That might be part ofi t, I thik of myself as a sailor living at shore, maybe it's time to think of myself as what I am, a troll of the lodge who now and then sails." A pause "Oh.. uhm.. can you teach me how the hell you manage to put all your might in one arm TWIST? Seriously, I didn't even see that coming."

A half turn and an eyebrow. "You think that was all my might?"

"well, not when you put it That way" Near 17 winters and her mom's eyebrow can still have her checking her shoes out as if they were the most interesting things in the world

"But you know what i mean...it... didn't seem to lose anything in the move"

A nod. "Momentum, not muscle. I will teach you. But not now."

A pause. "How is gymnastics?"

"I'm the best in the class on the balance beam" She answers, "Which is gratifying after they told me I was too tall to ever be great. I'm honestly one of the best in the class at tumbling, but I need to remember form." She says then says "I haven't made any solid friends there yet, but I hope to. I do have another problem but I think I can handle it"