#rivervale_lodge

She doesn't answer right away. "A little, maybe. I mean, me being there wouldn't have been a guarantee that it would have gone better. And I was serving Rivervale...it wasn't like you had me locked in a tower or something. So I know it's not fair to be mad that you kept me back...but I still am, just a little."

"I'd rather you be mad at me than yourself any day of the week" he confesses "And for what it's worth. I'm sorry."

His apology sounds genuine, "Not that you're safe and not dead, but that you weren't with her in her final moment. I know that.. that feels like you've been cheated of something special"

"Yeah...but..." She's quiet a moment, then sighs. "When I really think about it, I'm mostly mad at me. I always figured....I always figured that the bridge was right there, so the Farm was right there, and so Kels and I could see each other whenever, and then sometimes life here got so busy with school and cheer and games and Lodge duty and Colton and...and..." She has to swallow to keep the tears from coming. "I took her for granted. Figured there was time...."

Her ugly father nods "Yeah, that's how it goes. Been there myself. If the Dreaming wanted to teach you a lesson, did it have to be a dick about it? That kind of thing"

A heavy sigh. "Yeah. It does feel like that. Like, Hey-Sylvi-you-take-things-for-granted-so-we-destroy-them. Which...isn't fair, because this isn't about me, it's about Kelby, and making it about me is wrong...but I can't help it."

"Few people can. You think my first thought was 'Poor Kelby's family' when I heard? Nope. It was 'Sylvi's gonna hurt when she hears'. And I don't like you hurting. Everyone's a bit selfish, because pain is a very selfish thing, it has to be. It lets you know when you're wounded."

She frowns. "Pain sucks. Death sucks. Guilt sucks."

"it does... but they each have their niche, and we need them... as long as we don't let them own us. " A look at her "For what it's worth? You and Siv were great at the lodge taking up all the slack. I'm not talking about Ratbats either. not just that. You made sure folks knew we were still here and strong. "

"Well...we knew it was true. Easy." A shrug. "I mean...the Chieftain's going to be okay, right? Or...oh...um, is that me taking things for granted again?"

"SHe'll be okay. Your mom is off the hook" A sly grin

"Yeah, didja see how relieved she looked at first? Then there was still trouble and stuff, but for a moment I thought she was going to throw confetti."

'think we should take her out to dinner and have a demotion ceremony celebration?"

"Oh! I really like that idea. Let's do it." She gives him a look. "And...you're okay?"

"As okay as I can be." He says "tempted to mess with Frank and make him call me Storm at least once... but don't worry, your mom will correct my dysfunction there" A chuckle then a touch to her arm more seriously "Something I wish hadn't happened, and yeah, that's gonna hurt a bit. but I'm older. Some things I've done before...dealt with before. It doesn't make it good... but let's say practice helps, even with grief"

She nods, but still looks a bit concerned. "And...well...what about the whole Rover thing? I mean...you said it was going to be a close call on your oath...."

A nod "Bent but not broken." He assures "I'm all right. Baby girl. My biggest problem is once more having two women in my life both of which are smarter than me"

She smiles. "We're the smarty-pants-es, you're the wise-ass."

"A fair summary.. now, for your mom... confetti or no? since you brought it up"

"Totally. Right after dessert, so they can kick us out of the restaurant without interrupting our meal."

"you are full of good ideas. I'm glad I made you" He looks pleased with himself

"Hey, you had help. Mom gets credit."

"Without my mad begging skillz? never would have happened" A wink

"Wow...that's kinda pathetic, Dad." She smirks.

"Yes" He nods unashmed, "And totally worth it" and he musses her hair

"Da-ad!" She smooths out her hair again, laughing slightly, then grows more serious again. "Um, you should probably know, though, what just happened at Firnost, when Colton and I were there."

He stops and slows hi breathing. Half closes his eyes "Go.on?"

"Well, we got there, and...." And she proceeds to tell him a story quite different from what he was probably expecting, about Bertand and the glass statue and a close call.

Imagine being relieved about a horror show come to life? But he also nods then says "Okay. I think I should call his parents..or at least his older brother. Let them know how badly shaken up he is. You.. you and Colton both, were right to stop him. The Dreaming does not always grant the right wishes. "

"Oh..." She bites her lip. "Do you have to? I...he'll..."

"you worry you'll be seen as a squeeler?"

"Ye-e-eah."

"Hmmph. Somethings are more important than that... but tell you what? Text him..find a way to ask him if he's talked to family and if he hasn't? try to suggest it? See where it goes from there. Okay?"

She relaxes and nods. "Okay, I will. And I promise I'll tell you if he says he isn't going to talk to them." Then a sudden hug. "Thanks, Dad."

A hug back "You're welcome, and.. wasn't kidding when I said you've been doing great. Apparently even better than I knew. You're a great daughter, a good friend, and a bad ass lady all around. shoo.. go on. I gotta find some confetti"

She rolls her eyes a bit and says, "I'm not a lady, Dad," but she does, indeed, shoo.

Better be with Colton until you're like..a gajillion A nod at that irrational thought then a chuckle at himself. Nah, he doesn't mean it, but like he told his daughter, you can't always help how you feel on something. Now, what confetti would go best with his wife's eyes?

.....