#rivervale_lodge

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Brekke and Frank are currently tending the grounds, someone has to do it, and a vine weed is threatening to kill a tree.

Somebody has to do it is certainly not the attitude Brekke has about the grounds. This is her joy and her pleasure and...in this case...her battlefield. She is tracing the path of the vine's roots, seeking its source.

"If we do not get it all, it will return," she points out unnecessarily.

Frank leans on a hoe, watching.

Somewhere, Necropsis gets the giggles.

Indeed, it's also nice just to be a couple together, on a glorious day and...

Jaymes stomps up with a scowl on his face

And Jaymes doesn't scowl, or smile, unless he means i t

"Ah." She attacks a lightly target in the soil, but looks up as Jaymes approaches. Her expression goes from content to concern in a moment and she straightens. "Jaymes. What is it?"

Frank straightens as well, watching Jaymes with concern. He tips his chin in greeting.

"It's about Dagmar... look, I was on thyle for aw while, and you may remember that was anti noble stuff gone too far... " Jaymes, normally not verbose, goes on "but I didn't think her title would affect her like this"

Brekke's brow knots. "Like what, exactly?"

"She's like me, getting her to talk when she doesn't want to is like pulling hen's teeth" he ssays "But I asked around, Tove talked to a few folks and then... a lot of the kids, the kithain kids, at high school are 'Dame' this' and head bobbing that... treating her different. And she hates it."

She's quiet for a moment. "I had not anticipated that. And I am surprised. I did not think that line would be drawn so clearly for the young ones."

"Has Siv done this, that you have heard of?"

"Not all of them."

"But it is enough of them that she notices." A pause. "It may be a brief phase. If they see she has not changed beyond the title, they may cease the awkward treatment over time."

Frank nods slowly.

"Yeah, well in the 'now' phase, she's asking if she can have her title removed or undone"

Jaymes frowns "I don't know what to tell her. "

A deep breath. "That...might be perilous."

"And.. no I don't know which kids are treating her different specifically, was all I could do to get anything"

"This is not a title granted in this life. She has been sained with it. To undo that...."

Frank shakes his head with a glance at Brekke.

"Frank? Your thoughts?"

"Right, and .. maybe it's fatherly pride... but darmn it, she'll be a good knight" Jaymes says

She nods to Jaymes. "She deserves the honor of it."

Frank clears his throat. "I would not facilitate, nor would I recommend or condone, having her title removed or undone."

"Period."

"It's new, and unexpected. As much as she had to wait for her Saining, so she could learn what she needed to earn it, she should wait and train and learn and remember what it is to be a knight."

Jaymes nods to Frank "That's what I worried about. " Then a look to Brekke, "Well, Chieftain, I know you're busy, but maybe if you gave her Gwydion lessons it would help? I mean, she's got questions and... I don't have any answers." frustration of a parent who feels useless

Brekke nods. "It is a responsibility I have intended to address, and I will make sure it happens sooner than later. Being titled is a change...but she will also have to learn how to manage the Boon. That is...more difficult. And then her rage...." A nod. "I will meet with her. And...Frank, would you speak with Sylvi, advise her about what Jaymes has told us, see if she can get the others to avoid making Dagmar feel as the Other?"

"I appreciate it I... I know this isn't your job but ...she's hurting and she's my kid" As if that explains everything.

Frank nods. "I understand, Jaymes. And yes, Brekke, of course."

She frowns a bit. "How is it not my job? I am her Chieftain, and I am the closest noble of her house. Of course it is my job. But it is also my pleasure."

"Well then double thanks. But my thinking was I .. I should be able to fix things for her. You know? I swore the oath and she belives..." He grumbles "Olgar's right. This father thing changes you."

"Hm. Well...for what it is worth, Jaymes, I think you are doing very well. You are a good father to her."

Frank nods.

"Although I hate to agree with him... it does change you." Hrmph. "I could have told him that."

A slight grin at Frank, then to Jaymes again. "Part of being a parent is knowing when to turn to others for the help your child needs. You are doing it right."

"Well, I'll have to take your words for it, but uh thanks. I suppose I have it easier in some ways, my girl has no interest in dating." Jaymes comments.

"Yet." Grumpy.

"Maybe i can borrow some tower or dungeon plans" does not appear to be joking.

An eyebrow. "You two seldom resemble each other as much as when you are dreading your daughters' dating."

Frank gives Brekke a -look-.

"It's something worthy of dread" Jaymes opines.

"It is no such thing. And there will be no towers and no dungeons. You will, the both of you, allow your daughters to live and laugh and love, and you will help pick up the pieces when they make mistakes. Is that understood?"

In the distance, Siv's voice, as if on cue, sings "Tonight's the night we're gonna make it happen
Tonight we'll put all other things aside
Give in this time and show me some affection
We're goin' for those pleasures in the night"

Brekke winces. "...as difficult as it might be."