#rivervale_lodge

"Yes? What is it?" She seems simultaneously pleased and concerned by these repeated claims of being best, but the problem interests her more.

"There's a girl on the team who calls me a big bimbo and...well, she's a mean girl, and.. a bit cold. You know? not deadly, but lightly draining."

Both eyebrows go up at that...yes, that's surprise, and oh look, here comes maternal instinct. "More than you can manage?"

"So far, so good." Siv shakes her head "Like I said, I am best on the beam, and ONE of the best on tumbling... but form and some other areas I need work. She mocks that..which I'd take as some teasing...but she tries to make me feel like a weak link on the gymnastics crew. Also seems to want to label me a bimbo... and dumb slut" Eye roll "Why do some girls say that about other girls? Don't they know it makes the lads think THEY can say it? And then I have to crush an instep?"

"Are the boys saying it to you? Following her lead?"

Glimmers of anger.

She puts a hand on her mom's arm "Only one tried, and I had him handled easy." An amused look, but also pleased, "Thank you for caring , mom but I can handle the boys easier than the girls actually. See, yes I do flirt with the boys, but it's playful and frankly? they like me more than her. Maybe one of the reasons she tries to be a bitch to me. That's not to say every lad is a winner, but when they get out line I can handle them you know? Other girls I ..." A breathe "I think there's some sort of reputation war I'm supposed to get into, but it..seems not honorable even when justified, you know? And I can't just slap the wench"

"Hrmph." She shakes her head. "I could never understand that nonsense when I was in school, either. No," she sighs, "you cannot just slap her, although I do understand the temptation. As for how to compensate...I do not suppose there are any Dreamers among your teammates?"

To her credit, she does not criticize Siv's self-admitted flirting.

An embarrassed look, "Oh dear lord, I didn't even think to check. And father a Liam."

A slight grin. "I will not tell him. But that might be your resource for when she is making your life chilly. If there are Dreamers, find them, nurture them carefully...and you will find them a comfort against the cold."

"Oh, Did I tell you?" excited "I took Dagmar Musing! Dad taught me, but she hadn't seemed to have learned yet so we went out and about. Helped an old lady who felt overwhelmed.... dagmar and I cleared her path for her.. .You'd be proud of Dagmar, mom she really took to it, didn't complain about the wait or anything... and she loved it when the glamour started to flow"

"Indeed? That is good news." A pleased nod. "I know that Dagmar tends toward the unseelie often, so knowing that she has the patience to muse is good to hear. Thank you for guiding her. You must tell your father about that, if you have not already."

"Oh of course, Dad might take her out for ice cream"

"He might take you both out for ice cream. So...what else have you been up to?" Since Siv seems in a talkative mood.

"you sure you have time for me blabbing? I've been trying not to.. you know, keep you from your duties? I know you have Nadeen to watch after now.." It might surprise Brekke to realize her daughteer is not bitter, nor sarcastic, but totally serious.

"I have time for you, Siv." Each word receives its own emphasis.

Then slightly bemused, "I have been trying not to pry."

Her daughter breaks out in a smile "ha. " A hug "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like my school life was none of your business. Uhm.. let's see. Spanish is coming along better but still dry, boring. I learn more in a visit to Fenix than I ever do in class. Jessica sent me some good online tutoring lessons. History is more fun, which is weird to say. Oh, and there's this really cute guy in my math class which is like double unfair..." She goes on "As for things around the fief... I've been patrolling with Dagmar some, we mostly take the woods paths. She likes those. Vali sometimes has me escort him on the social scene, and I know our neighbors well. Did you know that family of pooka and boggans that do contruction are working on an Eartship house? I mean, it has 'ship' in it so I admit I got really curious"

"I have heard of such constructions, but not seen one. I would like to. Perhaps we will go together. And...Vali is having you what?"

"Oh, you know, the patrols on the neighborhoods instead of the wilds? the social scene? He says we need to meet and greet and let them know we're on watch to help them if they need us. Make them feel secure."

"Ah." She nods. "Not what I thought you meant." Then a notion. "Siv, have you spoken to Vali about the situation with Tiffany? I am not saying you must, but she might not be able to explain what happened clearly herself."

Siv pauses, "No. I guess I didn't. I mean, they've patched thingss up even before I apologized. Tiff basically told me I'd just have to put on the big girl panties and feel how I feel but Vali was too good to pass up on" A wince "At the time it was annoying but I deserved it and she was right to do so. Do you think I still should or will that tangle things up agian?"

Then a frown, "You know, nevermind... I'll do it. It's only fair he knows where the buck started as well as stopped. And it's the least I can do for Tiffany who has to try to explain in pooka ese"

A firm nod "Thanks, mom. For...well, everything. " A lean of her head against her mom's shoulder "Oh! Did I tell you about..."

(End scene)