#rivervale_lodge

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Sylvi is sweating, as a blade clashes against her own. This isn't the sort of thing a cheerleader expects to learn, but then, she's not just a cheerleader.

"Footing," Vali says from the side as Nadeen and Sylvi spar.

She tries to remember to exhale with each strike, but then Vali mentions her footing and she gets distracted by that. Damn, I'm a clutz at this, sometimes. She tries to get the proper footing while making another strike.

Nadeen presses her attack. The more you fight her, the better she seems to know your moves. Something about patterns. But by that time , Sylvi is pressing her attack, and Sylvi is a troll, and strong.

So when they clash, the Varich is pushed back

C'mon, cheerleader, we got this Sylvi tells herself, and then it's strike-strike-strike, almost like chopping wood, but the fourth strike is a side-swipe.

Nadeen evades and then backs away eyes widening with fear and disgust "What on earth..."

And so surprised is she, she gets clipped by that fourth strike

Well, more than clipped!

"Still with us, Nadeen" Vali says then looks up "Huh. "

"Hey, you okay?" Sylvi pauses her attack to check on Nadeen after that last hit.

"We..what is THAT" the Varich points.

"Sorry, I took my hoodie off" A familiar voice to Sylvi says

Sylvi turns to look, but she already knows the voice. A look of surprise and happiness, not disgust. "Dika-Hannah!"

"Hey" the hideous face breaks into a smile

"You're friend with.. with..." Nadeen is about to say something rude.

"Nunnehi, " Vali says "Right?"

Sylvi is already giving her friend a gentle welcoming hug, then she turns to make introductions. "Yes, Nunnehi. This is Dika-Hannah, from near StarBear. Dika-Hannah, this is Sir Vali ap Beaumayne and Nadeen ap Varich. And this is Rivervale!" She gestures to the Lodge. "You didn't tell me you were on your way!"

"well, i meant to come at carnival, but things, well there was this side quest and ... " Dika-Hannah blushes, her hideous face not helped by the color change "that got delayed. Then I got this invite and a plane ticket on the cheap. "

"Things were kind of bad around Carnivale, anyway. But...who sent the invite and the ticket?"

"Well, uhm... the Davidsons" She says "At least, that's what the plane ticket receipt says"

Nadeen says "Excuse me... I should go tend to my side" She didn't look injured.

"Really? That's...that'd be my mom and dad. Those finks didn't even tell me!" She says with a smile, then looks over at Nadeen making a rather graceless departure after not even acknowledging the introductions. "Um...sure, yeah." A bit of an eyeroll to Vali.

"Ha. Well, guess your folks are cool but like to surprise you" Dika-Hannah says, then waves to the departing sidhe, then in a lower voice "Your friend's a bit squeemish huh? I'm used to it"

"She's a fledge here, and sometimes she can be...well...." Sylvi shrugs and doesn't finish the thought. Another look to Vali, who seems to have been struck dumb.

Vali is neither gawking, nor is he grossed out, or if he is, he's hiding it well. He has been silent, but now is smiling "Your dad threatened to rip my arm off if I told about the surprise early. Nice to meet you, Dika-Hannah. Only heard about Pugwi before."

"Nice to meet you, Sir Vali" The ugly girl bobs her head

"Dika Hannah totally saved my life," Sylvi smiles.

"Oh you.. you were the hero of that quest" Dika-Hannah waves it off

"Well, I would've been a dead hero if you hadn't been there."

"Look, you two might remember even more over some drinks, go inside. I'll put the gear away" Vali offers

"I AM kind of thirsty" Dika-Hannah admits

"Thanks, Vali. Come on, Dika-Hannah." And Sylvi leads her into the Lodge.

Dika-Hannah gapes in wonder "it's all so big..."

And she gets shown to a seat and the two friends get to talk

(End scene)