#rivervale_lodge

"I really thought I'd be more of a dog person," She says "Most of my family is, but that little girl just changed my mind. All her proud walks and love nips and insistence"

"Well, it is good to be your own person. It isn't like you don't have the dogs about. All of my companions are chimerical... and I don't think I can really call them "pets."

"No, Bronte is.. well, she's not a pet." She says "Doesn't Earlh ave a cat? Yorrik?"

"Aye, but it isn't the same..."

"Beause he's his cat not yours or because he's not in the house?"

"Yes, to both."

"Maybe you're a dog person and don't know it?" A smile "Or is that blasphemy in sluagh circles?"

"I... do not think I am a dog person."

"I have a troll, so is that not close?"

A snort and laugh escapes "I.. I suppose we might be a bit like that to you. "

A wry smile. "No insult intended, of course. I have many troll friends."

Another chuckle "hey, some of my friends are trolls" but she smiles "none taken. Dogs canbe a bit messy sometimes, and the big ones are a handful, but loyalty is a canine trait and they can be protective. Probably why dad loves the Dogs. "A sigh "That and Oak knows he doesn't like strange boys nearm e so Oak growls at them"

"Oh... well, I think Earl seems to have endeared himself to my parents by now."

"Mama still wants me to find a nice boy from a good family, of course..." She shrugs.

A frown at that, "Your mom doesn't think the DeBukes are a good family?"

"It... no, she likes Earl."

"But he's... well. It's a thing."

"I don't understand. " She admits "But if it makes you uncomfortable to talk about I won't press"

"He's not Jewish."

"Oh!"

"And it doesn't really matter - if we had kids, they'd be Jewish because of me. But..."

"But your parents have ideas they have trouble letting go of, and you're enjoying the now, and they're thinnking ten years from now or some such, but how they think isn't necessariy your dreams. I.. not the same for me, but I know a little of that" Siv says "I'll never be a chieftain like mum. I.. I might captain a ship, but I'm not a leader by nature. too fly by my seat. "

"Right. I don't know about getting married - I'm only 17! I'm still in high school..."

"Geez yeah, it's like... if your boyfriend hasn't pulled out a ring, maybe your parents should sstop sizing you up for thhe dress. And 17 is... maybe it's me? Because I just turned 17? But that's too soon.. I mean, I.. there's a few things i haveen't done yet "A blush "but marriage ? wham. that's...a bit spooky,a nd not in the fun halloween way. Just enjoy your fellow, right?"

"Exactly!"

"I love Earl..." A blush. "I do. But... my mother was a teenager when she had me, nu?"

"I see that. We see what older folks in our own life have done, and we respect them but we don't want to ..be them, not exactly. Not that we ever could but... "A nod . Siv says "Sometimes I feel rather insecure I think. Mom is a legend, dad maybe less famous but still a hero. Sis is..well, she saved a hold and fought balor. It's a hard thing to be in that crowd. With you? well, your family seems to have more expectations of your mortal life than your changeling one if I'm hearing right? But even if they want what they say is best for you doesn't mean YOU wanat it, or at least not the way they do"

A nod. "In a way, yes. I mean, they want me to be well, to do well - get an education, marry, have children..."

"Do you want that?"

"Well... I want to be a librarian."

"Then you and your folks agree on the education. "A nod"And the rest? it can and should wait until you feel right about it. I think. "

Then sheepsih "And sorry, my two cents may not be what you asked for OR be welcome"

"No, it's fine. College is coming up and... I mean, change is good, yes..."

"But change is scary, sometimes."

"Aye, but then, you have an advantage. Who better than a sluagh to appreciate fear and learn to turn it to her advantage?" A nod

"True!"

"So what college do you have in mind?"

"Well, it needs to be a good one... I like Vassar, a lot..."

"then go to Vassar" Siv says. Oh my, she really believes it's that simple

A shrug. "Something like that, yes."

"Is there something wrong with Vassar?"

"No? It's just... expensive to live in town.."

"well, I don't mean to be rude, but you live in Scarsdale, aren't folks there tending towards the well off?"

She nods. "I can afford it, yes. I have a college fund."

"But if I wanted to live in an apartment instead of a dorm..."

"Oh...mm" she says "Might be pricey. what do your folks think?"

"I haven't talked to them about it."

"See, I was thinking maybe I could have roommates..."

"But, well, with my... quirks... mortal ones might be difficult."

"You need a changeling room mate, or at least kinian. someone who understands. "