#rivervale_lodge

"If you'd done the same thing, I'd have been mad," she admits.

"I'm sorry."

a slight smile, "it's.. yeah. Thank you for that." Then "But maybe you have a point. I work with real nobles so I tend to think things like mortal status stuff isn't the same, but we're half mortal, and you're a leader among your school. So yes, it is important, and yes you have an image. I mean, I still don't like the idea of you dancing with another guy but..."

"When you put it that way, I can see why you WOULD put a lot import on it" he nods "And I'm sorry I brushed it off when you first asked me. If I could have come I would."

"I know. I know you would have. And I would have wanted you to. I still want you to. But...well...are we still on for the February thing?" A hopeful smile.

"Oh yeah, totally" he says with a smile "I'd fight for that." A chuckle "maybe that's my problem. Fighting is easy for me. Patience can be hard." A kiss and he strokes her hair "But good things to those who wait."

A full smile at that, and she returns the kiss...with interest.

And yeah, they might forget about breakfast for a bit

Until a voice booms "Breakfast" Her dad!

Sylvi jumps back, her face flushed. "Oh! Oh, um...I have to..." She turns to start straightening out the cot.

"uhm right.. I should uhm go while you change." A wistful look, then a smile "I could stand here with my eyes closed. We trolls ahve PRETTY strong wills"

"Yeah...Dad'll hang your strong wills off the tallest tree in the area."

A low voice "Which makes it all the more appealing for you in someways, I bet" Colton winks, and steps away so she can go change.

She gives him a playful pout. "You're not supposed to know me that well. I'll be back in a minute." And she hurries to get dressed.

Meanwhile, Kerri might see young Colton is smiling again. However it went, it went well

As he heads down the stairs, Kerri calls, "Colton? Will you have some breakfast?"

"If it's no trouble, Mrs Davidson"

She bestows him with a smile. "Good. Then help me in the kitchen." This might be for his own protection...this way, he's not left alone with Olgar.

He follows her promptly "Yes, Ma'am . Just tell me what to do."

Olgar ponders many things. how hard the ground can be at this time of year, but not so hard that troll strength still couldn't create a hole for a body.

Kerri loads the young man down with platters. "You and Sylvi had a chance to speak? I know she's been upset these last few days, even before the quest."

"Yes, we did. I ... I'm not sure it's ALL sorted, but it's on the mend?" He says and does look troubled, " I apologize for racing over here without warning but when I was told she was in danger the other day and how close some of them came to really really getting hurt I..."A serious look, "I know we're both young, but I've seen what living with regret and lost chances can do."

She shakes her head, and gives him another platter to balance on his outstretched arms. And these are fairly well loaded down with bacon and sausages and eggs and home fries and bread and cheese and...is this a test of strength? Endurance? "I don't mind you rushing over, Colton. You had reasonable concerns, and even if you were only friends, it would be good of you to check on her. And you are good friends to each other." She pauses to look at him. "And some day, perhaps more. But...whatever you become, while each of you is loyal and would not betray the other, neither owns the other. Correct?" She's giving him every opportunity to give the right answer.

He's more worried about balance, making sure ingredients don't spill into each other

Colton looks at the Hearth "I've been owned in a way. I would never do that to another person, no matter how insecure I might get. It's wrong."

And a lesson in balance and self-control might also be at work here....

She nods. "Good man. Here, I'll get the door." She holds it open for him to manuever through to bring things to one of the long tables.

He's got it... well the balance part for sure. "Thank you. And... I plan to be one. A good man I mean" and out he goes to take it out.

Sylvi's coming down the stairs again...quick make up, hair in a simple ponytail, dressed in jeans and a sweater and warm socks. "Oh, hey...let me..." She relieves him of platters and sets them on the table.

"I got it, but thanks" He smiles "Nice socks."

Kerri shoots Olgar a look when he starts looking speculative.

Olgar puts on his best innocent face. Which admitedly will not fool the hearth, but others maybe might fall for it

She smiles. "Mom made them. They're cozy."

"Would you like a pair, Colton?" Kerri offers.

"Miss Zara went like crazy with socks...she made so many and they're great. It was for Hannukah. She did it for a lot of folks"

"oh I'm good, Mrs. Davidson" he says respectfully

"All right. But I might get inspired in the future," she warns him. "Okay, everybody eat. Others have either headed out already or will be down soon, but no sense in letting it get cold. Eat." With that directive, she starts setting up a plate for herself.

Sylvi gives Colton a smile -- Olgar would know it's a much more Sylvi-ish smile than she's shown in the past few days -- and follows her mother's example.

Olgar decides at that moment, that maybe, just maybe, the boy is worth having around. In small doses

teeny tiny

"Try the homemade syrup, Colton" Olgar says "SHe's improved it"

"i.. thank you sir " A distracted look though, for Colton is smiling back

Sylvi gives her dad a skeptical look...is it a trap?

She settles on one of the benches at the table, leaving an obvious space for him to sit next to her.

Kerri takes a seat opposite, making a quick visual inventory to make sure everybody has everything they need before she starts to eat.

Surely her dad wouldn't POISON the syrup? Mm probably not

the meal is delicious, and sure enough, it won't be long before others swarm in. But that time, Colton will be sharing with Sylvi how his own school sports teams are going ,and wanting to hear all about her cheerleading stuff

And Olgar will give his wife a nod "Great work, honey" And the food is only part of that

Kerri smiles. "Thank you. Does that mean you're volunteering to do dishes?" A teasing look.

"Yeah," Olgar grins" It does"