#rivervale_lodge

"Yeah?" A grin "Seriously? Like IN the Dreaming? It's been awhile. I mean, the Jersey Devil and the Grasp was wild nd scary, but back to the dreaming"

He nods. "Here's the thing. Sylvi's and Dagmar are staying here. So are Olgar, Kerri, and Vali. We're asking Anne Marie, and if she allows, Dirk and Symon will be asked as well."

"That's odd...why wouldn't olgar come along? he's like the dreaming expert."

"He is. But he'll be acting as Storm while we're gone."

Siv nods "Well that makes sense I guess wait...how long do you expect to be gone?"

A moment or a mile or two. "Hard to say. Until we're done, I guess. You ok with that? Should we build in a point where you wilders come back to your friends and school?"

"I'm with you and mum, of course" She says.

He nods, eyes on the road. "I don't think we'll be on the seas, though, Siv. Land-bound, this one, I think."

"It's okay dad, remember I was your gunner on the road once, That wasn't a ship"

Frank nods again. "I remember. Kind of. Ok, so... you're in?"

"I will not ignore the call to quest when my mom and dad need me. Not even a question. Now..what's the mission?"

"In a minute. You'll be cool with the other wilders, right? You guys are a tight crew. It's might sting, to know others are going and you aren't, right?"

"Dagmar's gona feel left out, but if you remind her that with so few we need her acting as a thane... maybe it'll go easier? She hates how Saining leaves her out of things. I can't say a blame her"

Frank nods. "Not something you had to worry about, really. It's good you can see how she feels about it. Shows empathy. Use that empathy when the other wilders find out about this quest and their part in it, and don't tell them before they know from us, ok?"

"Am I really that callous normally?" She says troubled "Kerri says I jump to judgment, but I didn't think I was insensitive." Brow knit

He chuckles. "No, Siv, not callous at all. Impul-SIV-e maybe, but not insensitive." He chuckles again proudly at the dad-pun.

"You care about your crew, you'd never -mean- to hurt them."

A groan at the pun "Daaaad" then "Well, good. I'll work on being more aware then. Aye. I wouldn't want to rub anyone's nose in anything."

"Exactly." Frank seems satisfied. "Our mission is to raid a Balor mine stronghold and free the slaves there."

Siv pumps her fist in the air "Oh hell yas! Now THAT is a quest! Thrills, spills, Danger! " A cough as she realizess he's gotten excited when folks are suffering "And... of course we help those poor folk. That's the important part"

Frank chuckles again, ruefully. "Yes."

A thoughtful look, "Thank you, Dad. Thank you both. There was a time you'd never have asked"

"You've proved yourself, Siv." Quietly.

A thought "Can I invite bancroft? Dad. He's a really good fighter. Not a bad head for tactics"

Frank exhales heavily. "What about his duties at Teaneck?"

"For right of rescue? " She rasies a brow "If 'Mr. Teaneck' gives him grief about this I'd be surprised"

Frank mumbles to himself, then says "We'll ask your mother."

"Dad? I know you don't like any boy who likes me because protective... but he really is a good guy. "

"Hmmphm." That might be reluctant agreement.

"And he's seelie. Points?"

"Better than that other guy." Frank admits grudgingly.

"Well, I don't really know 'other guy' well but I'll take it." She ponders "I was thinking of getting a a tattoo. A map to lead me back close to home."

"A ta.... " Frank stops himself. "Hm. That... is... " slowly "Not an awful idea. I think."

"Yup. I was going to haave it be a surprise, but everyone seemed to think I was just planning some narwhal tramp stamp or something. Now don't get mew wrong, it would look amazing, but the map is more practical if I ever forget myself"

Frank risks a glance at her, or maybe he can't help himself. "The -map- would have to be somewhere you could -see- it."