#rivervale_lodge

Sylvi beams and gives her dad a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Dad!" She wastes no time in claiming a (big) mug of ale for herself and gets one for Colton as well.

"I think your dad is feeling Seelie" Colton says "not sure if tha'ts good or bad for me but wow, he is allowing us Ale? "

"It's Beltaine. Dad's always a big mush on Beltaine, then he moans about it for the rest of the year. Not as much as he used to, I guess, but yeah, he'll be grumbling about it tomorrow."

She bites her lip a moment, then raises her mug to him. "Happy Beltaine, Colton." Still that blush, and she takes a drink.

"Happy Beltain, my lady" He returns the toast, and drinks slow and smooth

She takes a smaller sip at first, testing. "Ohh, that's nice...." Another drink, and her eyes watch him over the rim of her mug.

He looks at her as well, then says "This is.. actually amazing stuff. I guess it would be , but I've had some you wouldn't like. Well, at least I didn't" Colton is more experienced beyond his years, and yet he does not seem so young as he returns her gaze, lost in her eyes now and then.

She likewise finds herself lost in the look now and again, and needs to look away to steady herself. "I, uh, guess your former liege didn't really give you a lot in the way of fatherly guidance about limits and best behavior and so forth."

"No," He says "Not that he ever considered me a potential equal but by his example I saw how to act dishonorably, and disguise it as faux honor. He gave lessons on manipulating and enticing, then having his way. What he wanted me to learn mostly was how to fight, and fetch, and shield him. I guess it's the Beltaine speaking, but I'm pretty revolted about some of the lessons now that I look back. " Honestly "Sure, it gets a guy what he wants in the short term maybe, but love , beauty, and honor are the best ways to encourage a gradual opening... a mutual joy. " He slides one of his hands into her fingers "Don't you think?"

She's been listening to the sound of his voice as much (or more than) the weight of his words, though the words themselves are lovely. "Uh huh..." she murmurs, her fingers lacing with his. Then she hears herself clears her throat with a little half-laugh. "I mean...yes...I do. I mean, I agree." She's blushing more, and she takes another drink of ale.

"on the other hand, I wouldn't mind enticing you honestly," A soft squeeze.then he laughs as she clears her throat, "Careful, it can be heady stuff your first time. "

"It's not my first time drinking ale," she corrects...though this ale is pretty strong compared to what she's had, and she hasn't had much before. "But okay." She toys with her mug a bit. "So...you said something about...enticing me...?" She returns the squeeze.

"mmm I believe I did." And he clears his voice, "If I remember, some ladies demand poetry. I know a verse of one.. makes me think of you right now"

"Of me? Well, I'm not demanding, but...what is it?"

He tries to get the cadence right, his voice deepens only slightly, and remembers what Sir Bachdion said about delivery, "Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine. " His eyes gaze into her own as he speaks it.

She gazes right back, transfixed, listening...and yes, flattery does seem to be an effective technique with her, as she smiles. "I think I've heard that before...but...I never thought of it being something that would be said to me." Her voice is quiet, the revelry continuing around them.

"I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope, that there
It could not withered be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent’st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee." He seems surprised he remembered it.

Then looks at her, "Everyone deserves a chance at love, Sylvi. And we should never fear to tell those we adore how we feel...even if we risk heartbreak."

She blinks, not expecting the rest...perhaps never having heard that part. Then she nods slowly. "You're right," she murmurs, watching him closely.

"Sometimes that happens" Playfully 'me being right. Hope I haven't used up my quota for the month"

That surprises her into a laugh. "Well...it may be a Beltaine miracle," she says, smiling.

A chuckle back, "Did you like the poem?"

A surprised look. "You have to ask?"

"I used to assume things, girls didn't like ita s much" he answers sheepishly

She thinks about it a moment. "I didn't know the second verse. I didn't know she sends the rose wreath back. That seems sad, like rejection...but he loves her still. Or at least, admires her deeply." She pauses. "So...it's sad and lovely at the same time." A nod. "Yes...I like it."

"Good. Now, the true taste test of ale, as everyone knows, is not only does it taste good in the mug, but does it taste good on your boy friend or girlfriend's lips. You can't have the full expereience if you only drink from the cup" SO sincere

"Ohhhh..." she nods seriously, a good student at this new art of ale appreciation. "Well...hang on...we need fresh tastes first...." She takes another slow sip, watching him.

He sips his own, just a bit, and just as slowly, but his eyes dance over the cup.

She finishes, smiles. "So...a kiss-test." She tilts her head invitingly.

He moves forward, and kisses her , softly, but earnestly and with passion threatening to burst out. A part of her might want it to.

She does mean for it to be a soft, demure kiss, maybe even a teasing kiss...but...it doesn't stay that way long, instead deepening to something touched more with desire, perhaps hinting at need....

And the two lose each other in the moment, for several moments; heat to match the growing season threatens to spread like a fire, and when they part, He says "I love you"

"Colton..." she breathes, then nods. "I love you, too."

"Then I am very happy. Would.. would you like to go for a walk in the woods with me?" The woods have many paths, many shadowed places. Why anything could go on in there, an on Beltaine likely does.

"You know I would," she smiles. "And by the way, yes...the ale tastes wonderful on your lips."

"Your lips make the ale just a bit sweeter," he says "And I like that." Rising with her, he offers his arm, and , if she is willing, guides her into the woods on this balmy wonderfully dangerously magical holiday.

She is guided away, happily so, into the deliciously darker woods of Beltaine night.

and for others, Beltaine goes on as well (End Scene)

-------

"Well, that was a success" Brogan says as dishes are being cleaned, "if it's not too soon to say"

Kerri takes another pot from the drain rack and puts it away. "Well, let's see...it's the morning after Beltaine, and I've yet to hear wailing and gnashing of teeth, so yes, I'd say all is well. And we got the happy couple well married, so that's another thing to check of the list of successes." She seems very satisfied.

"Did you enjoy your Beltaine, squire?"

"I did, thank you," He says "And I think the closest you'll get to wailing might be a hang over recovery"

"Well, there's that. But also...well, there will be griping, but not until Olgar wakes up."

"Oh? Why would Mister Olgar gripe? He seems to hold his liquor very well"

"By the way, in that cabinet to your left? There's a brown stoneware jug in there. Hangover relief, if anybody comes looking for it."

"Yes, Dame" Squire Brogan says making a note

"His liquor, yes...but he generally grouses about 'going soft' on Beltaine."

"Ah, well, yes, that is a concern for some of my House as well, though we aren't as anti-Seelie as some Unseelie Houses" The Daireann shrugs

"Mm." Kerri nods and regards him. "I'm right to take you as seelie by nature, squire, correct?"