#rivervale_lodge

And so it is, the Dagmar has met her match! Homework!

Sylvi is on a date! Meaning one study buddy is absent, treachery of the highest order.

And Siv? Out on a date! For crying out....

Whatever. Curse their eyes.

Maaaaaaaaaaath.

Maaaaathh... and she's at the lodge facing it

She drapes herself across the table, letting out a soft huff - like a frustrated labrador.

The other dogs huff along. Hey, support

"You're right, Brown Dog." She changes position, leaning way back in the chair so she can reach for pets. "Math IS dumb."

Yay pets!

Good dog! "Boop." She gently taps his nose.

Olgar comes in, "Huh. " He looks at the canine affection going on "They helping you with homework?"

"Yes."

"Huh." he nods to Brown Dog "Here that, Brog, you're a math tutor. " Then to her, "Your call, but you might want to see if Symon can come over. I think he knows more than the dog about this"

"I don't wanna bother him. I can do it."

"Maybe I'd think better with some coffee? Like how Sally Mae makes it?"

"Sally Mae's a bit heavy on the sugar, and by I bit I mean I think pixie sticks are used to beat the coffee beans. "

"Sugar gives you energy."

"One cup " and he mixes it the way Sally Mae does and hands it to her

"Thank you Olgar!"

"YOu tahnk me, Jaymes may not if that jazzes you too badly"

"I won't tell."

"Let me know if you need anything. I'll be brooding by the fire"

And sure enough, he takes a spot near the fire and stares at it with a broody face

"Brooooooooooooooooding."

"mmph if you ever become a parent you'll get used to wearing this expression"

"Why? What's there to brood about?"

"Mostly my daughter...she's dating. Okay. But she's not even in the fief right now. I trust her, but I worry."

"Well, Colton seems pretty okay."

"So far, yeah." A nod "But he's a bit smooth of late. And he's learning from a Fiona hold. FIona are big on romancing."

Her nose wrinkles. "I guess. But I thought he was a Liam like Frank?"

"So far, he's Houseless... his original knight and lord was a Leanhaun jerk, so I do feel sorry for him." A sigh "Amazing he's as stable as he is. Credit to Sparrow and a little bit us. The SIdhe Houses tend to leave their imprint on anyone. I've seen it. The Chief? Gwydion- If you have ever seen her temper rip loose..get away from her. I am not joking. The Mountain? I won't say he puts mortals first, but he doesn't put them second...that's Liam for ya. Leanhaun? Take Fiona debauchery and Liam knack with mortals, and then rip out the parts of empathy and restraint, and you have Leanhaun. There are exceptions to any House I suppose, but they do shape folks"

"What about Varich?"

"Varich are ..." He scratches his chin "Interesting. Honestly, if it weren't for that sluagh bias, they might be allies worth considering. They got a gift with inaminae, old ancient alliances. They read patterns and learn fast .... but like any sidhe, they're very commanding."

"Any commoner Varich?"

"Never heard of one, but then that doesn't mean there ain't any. My speciality is the Dreaming and trods."

"Well, yeah..." A sigh.

"Nadeen has thrown us for a loop too. " He assures her, "Not that makes you feel better I bet, but I'm sure the Chief wishes she were of a Seelie House. One that she knew"

"I... don't think I can be very fair to her."

Olgar looks at her, "You're trying hard as hell, from what little I've seen."

She grunts. "I'm supposed to, right? I'm not supposed to be angry, not allowed, I don't think, if I want to be..." a shrug.

"It's what you do with the anger that matters, in your case? It's harder. Your stronger, so code of dagda lays more on you. Also, your temper in the past has not been kind to you, or the folks who angered you...not that kind is the way of the world, but take it from someone who spent 3 days in lock up for punching out a guy at a bar... even justified anger can bite you if you don't put it in check"

"The keyword is 'passion before Duty' but that doesn't mean passion before using your head"

"I know. I can't. Ain't gonna screw up."

"But like, Sylvi and them, they don't even get mad like that."

"Oh, I love my daughter, but trust me, she has her dark side. And she gets angry. It's just it comes out in different ways "

"I don't think I've seen her mad. Or the Chief. Or anybody here."

"You ever seen a Gwydion really snap? Nah, you would remember...if you see the Chief really get mad...get distance. Get away. I am not kidding. THere's two types of Gwydions, hot and cold... the hot are the most common. Insult their honor, injure them badly enough, and they go into a killing rage, barely able to tell friend from foe. It's their curse. the price they pay for that 'I know you're lying' gift"

"That's the chief?"

"No, that's the Gwydion IN the Chief, or on her. I told you, Houses... they have a power." He says "Become a part of you true, but... mm yeah, that's a part of the chief you never want to be around when it peeks out. Now, I hear some Gwydions instead get really cold, like not banal, but they will do anything to get you back for the insult. Maybe there's some Daireann in that blood line"