#rivervale_lodge

The boy says with a casual shrug. No biggie

Vali's face is dead pan expressionless

Her expression is...complicated. Her eyebrows seem to want to climb up and take residence on her horns while her frown seems to indicate concern. Eventually, she nods and says, "I see. And...how do you think he might apply that observation to this current situation?"

"I don't think so, but while I love my dad, he sometimes has a knack for turning into anything into a socia-political situation. " Zane sighs "I mean, I love my dad, but he wouldn't be dad if he didn't sometimes make me go 'ugh'"

That gets a more relaxed expression. "I believe Siv would sympathize with you there. Fine, Zane. Make your apologies as soon as possible. I will be asking the girls if you have spoken with them. If you hear more from these Hackensack boys, please advise me as soon as possible."

'Yes, Chief, I..." he stops "You really think I was a good guy in this?" It seems important to him

She chooses her words. "I think you were not a 'bad guy.' I think you controlled your urges through concern for your friends' needs. You could have done more, but what you did was good."

He nods, thoughtful, but no longer slumping "yeah, thank you. I needed that" And he bows "May I go?"

She nods. "Thank you for coming to face me, even when you thought it would go badly for you. Very responsible. I will commend your acts to your father."

"thanks again" And out he goes

Vali watches the satyr leave, then turns "He's a pretty good kid ,really. Does sometimes suffer from hoof in mouth disease"

"You are not wrong. But yes, his intentions are generally good." Then a pointed look. "Did you hurt yourself, restraining that smile?"

"Is the boon going?" He asks

"Should that matter?"

A chuckle "I suppose not. And the answer is : Nothing a moment by the balefire won't heal."

"Good." A nod and a pause, then, "Do you think Professor Wayburton has a point, Vali?"

Vali considers "I think, Chief, that you're a modest person by nature. It's one thing to restrain your nature, it's another to waste too much energy fighting against it when you don't have to. But yes, he has a point in that you sometimes damage your own political capital when it comes to the games of politics. Possibly because you don't like the games in question. But they can be useful. Also, you really do have trouble taking a compliment sometimes to the point where it can be hard for folks to admit how grateful they are to you. Maybe you think they shouldn't be, but then, that's kind of their call too isn't it?"

"Hrmph." A frown and she taps a finger on the arm of her chair a few times as she digests that comment. "Then an assignment for you...point it out to me when you see me doing that. I may not want to hear it, and I may disagree with you, but it is a blindspot for me, and you can help me with that."

"No pressure" he says, then inclines his head "I thank you for the trust. If I may say, while I don't suggest coming hard ball with Baron Angus from the start, don't forget, out of the two of you, you have proven to be more indispensable to the Count and if the baron dismisses your concerns, you can and will take them to the count. " A pause "Assuming that you would, of course. "

"I...have some concerns. I do not know how seriously the Count will view the offense. I hope to resolve this with Angus directly...but I will continue to the Count if needed."

"What are your concerns?" he says

A longer pause. "Something along the lines of a 'boys will be boys' response."

He nods "Speaking as a man, I can remember when my hormones overcame my empathy and good sense." Then a pause "Might have been last week. There's some truth to the fact that teen age guys go through some struggles. I had the benefit of a good upbringing, and perhaps trollishness helps. We don't now if the two wilders did or not. SO there is a temptation to say just that.... but honestly, it's all the more reason for them to have some matters driven home. they cannot learn how to be men if they're forever allowed to be 'boys' and they cannot use that as a shield to disregard the personhood of one half the Kithain... my thought is, if the Baron dismisses it as boys will be boys- maybe you can find a way to relate that to him in your own words? "

A slight grin. "I may well borrow heavily from yours, but yes." She nods.

"I'm flattered" he says and means it "I can tell you the young ladies handled it very maturely. Dagmar? she was shaken...furious! She wanted to smash.. and...honestly, she could and broken a skull with a bare hand. Instead she held it in check..." he describes "I know it sounds crazy to talk about how she put a hole in the ground with her bare fist and wanted to crack skulls and say it's progress, but..crazy or not, I think it IS progress. She faced some serioues inner demons there. I could see it. And she won.. Siv? Siv looked mad! like someone had taken something from her not theirs to take and wanted to take a whack herself but didn't. Nadeen seemed almost cool, even cold about it. Disdain for the wilder boys. Sylvi? Sylvi let her displeasure be known in the fashion I told you. She and Nadeen were the chief targets but were the most together"

"Siv has grown up upon a ship and among those who will not tolerate one taking what one does not deserve. It is difficult on the sea, sometimes. You know this. I am actually surprised that she did not strike them, but pleased she did not harm them. And Sylvi's response..." A slight grin. "She has learned well from her parents, I think, how to hit where it hurts. They wanted to see what they were not permitted to see, so she took their sight for trying. Well aimed. As for Nadeen..." A nod. "I think that coldness might be something to watch. Dagmar's rage is a powerful weapon...I am glad to hear she is learning how to control it."

Vali nods "As the saying goes' the kids are all right'. Anything else you need me to do , Chief? "

A deep breath. "You were witness. Come with me when I meet with Baron Angus."

"Of course, Baroness" He bows "let me know when and I'll clear the schedule"

A nod. "Do you think...should the girls come as well. I know I wish them to confront the boys and receive apologies...but I do not know whether to bring them on the first visit."

"My own opinion? I wouldn't MAKE the girls come, that's for sure, at least not until I was sure an apology was coming. But they have rights to redress, so if one asks to come along or shows interest? Then maybe have that girl come along. "

Another nod. "Good. Thank you, Vali. I will keep you posted."

He bows and withdraws, not envying the chief's tasks

Brekke watches him go, then regards the balefire for a while...then goes to speak with Kerri in the kitchen, advising her that the main hall is no longer off limits. *end scene*

----------

Never a day off for the most beloved Baroness in Bergen

Or much of a night either...

Even before she enters the lodge, Brekke might have notied a bird now making home near the chimney

The dogs set up an alert that she heard while on patrol, but it was a bark of welcome, not of warning, so she did not rush back. But she is ready for there to be visitors when she does return.

The bird...nesting by the chimney, in December? Odd....

She is puzzling over that as she enters the Lodge.

Jaymes is waiting for her.

Sitting like Rodan's back up statue

"Hm. Jaymes. Good evening and welcome." She hangs her cloak on a hook before seeking coffee.

"Depends on how you feel about quests" a grunnt

"Quests? Tell me." A mug of steaming dark liquid....she takes a sip, savors it momentarily, then goes to take her seat near the balefire.

"Take a look" He says "This came by Wren.. poor thing was frozeen outside my house" And offers a note

"The one up by the chimney now? I was wondering where it came from." She takes the note and sets her mug down to read it.

The note reads : Help. I have been taken hostage by a crazy troll. I am trapped in his cabin in the pine barrens. He says he will protect me from 'the devil' but never lets me go. Never lets me out. I'm not even sure where in the barrens we are! All I know it's it's a stick covered cabin of brown and green. I need to see the world again. Please. Signed , Alfreda

"We thought it might be dead. It was enchanted, so the balefire thawed it out"