#rivervale_lodge

She pours herself a glass of iced tea.

"I believe she was, yes. And if it happens again, I will make her apologize. But she is near to her Togail, I believe. You remember how that was, Siv. Dagmar, you chrysalized a wilder, so you have not been through this yet, and will not for a long time...but it is a difficult passage."

A slight chuckle. "When it began in Sylvi, we sent her off to the Farm for the summer. We did them no favors there, but it turned out well."

"Togail... so.. so she's almost a wilder?"

"Yes. Soon, I think. A matter of months, at most."

"Oh she's 12 this year..." Siv says "Gee, I think I didn't switch till 13"

"So, what, she's basically got faerie PMS?"

"You were living a life of adventure, Siv, and were surrounded by wilders and grumps...little chance of being lumped in with the childlings."

"Oh, shit, does Vali have to give her that talk? I think maybe we should ask Kerri or Tove..."

"...language..."

"Hm...I would not compare it quite like that. More that she is feeling that her skin is too tight, almost, and she must break out of it."

"And yes, language. Vali will be a good guide in many ways, I think, but yes, I will point this out to Kerri and Tove as well. And you both should try to be supportive."

She rubs the back of her neck. "Like how I felt before I changed? Like nothing fit right?"

Brekke nods. "Much like."

"I'm not sure who to feel sorrier for, Gerd, Vali, or us.." Wry

"...So is the not swearing a Gwydion thing, a knight thing, or a general thing?"

"Feel sorry for none of the above. This is a good passage, but it can be trying."

Brekke gives Dagmar a bemused look. "It is a my-house thing, I suppose. Cursing is appropriate in certain circumstances, but it a resource best used in small doses."

Then she adds, "However, I have promised you some time to speak of being Gwydion. Now is as good a time as any, if you agree."

"Oh.. right."

"Ah, the secret Handshake" Siv says with a wink "I'll help myself out.. and keep an eye on Gerd shall I?"

"Do not hover or baby her, Siv. That will not go well. Perhaps take her for a drive somewhere?"

She frowns at the pitcher. "Um. You want some before I put this away?"

"I do not, thank you, but finish your drink."

"I'm good" Siv says "And noted mom... somehow I get the feeling I may end up apologizing to you and dad for my own switch the more time I spend around Gerd, but I'll be gentle" A sigh "And patient" And off Siv goes

Dag shrugs and puts the tea away.

"Thank you." Brekke nods as Siv goes, then waits a beat, then confides to Dagmar, "We were trapped on a ship with her. It was difficult."

"I get not wanting to be treated like a little kid."

"I didn't think I was. I'll try to do better."

"You may not have been. You heard what she said of her Beltaine night. That has likely been simmering in her heart ever since. Now...what are some questions you have about the House?"

Then she gestures for Dagmar to follow her out to the ring as she formulates her questions.

Dagmar follows, carrying her tea. "Um."

"I mean, Frank told me about the Houses."

"Gwydion can tell if you're lying. Gwydion are always seelie..." An odd note in her voice there.

"King David is a Gwydion, and Hemlock, and you..."

"Mm. Gwydion, as a household, is seelie...but all fae succumb to their autumn side at one time or another, and not solely at Samhain." She hands Dagmar a practice weapon, a spear, and takes one for herself.

She sets the glass on the ground by a fence post and, oddly, relaxes a touch with a weapon in her hands.

"So I won't get kicked out if I go unseelie?"

"You will not...though I and others will do what is necessary to retrieve you to the summer court. What do you know of Gwydion the Grey? Have you heard the story of the House's founder?" She readies the spear and begins to circle, almost casually, though it is clearly a warrior's stance.

"Um. I'm pretty sure Frank told me..."

"It is not a test, Dagmar. You know that he was a bully? A thug?"

"What? But Gwydion are supposed to be the most stick-up-their-....the most uptight... the... you know, goody-two-shoes..."

Brekke grins slightly. "But Gwydion was strong, and..." she strikes at Dagmar suddenly "...he fought whom he wished, and he took what he wanted..." strike, strike, strike "...and he and his friends raided and raped at will across the land." Another blow, trying to sweep her legs out from under.

Dagmar attempts to block the strikes - the girl is strong, and decently athletic, but not extraordinarily fast. She gets hit. The strength alone helps keep her on her feet, even if she rocks.

"Raped?"

"I don't want to be in some rapist house. Why would you be in one?"

Brekke relents on the attack and steps back, nodding. "Gwydion despised those weaker than himself, and those who were weak despised him for his treatment of them," she continues. "He was arrogant...and eventually, he was caught, drunk and guilty, when a lord returned early to his home while Gwydion and his band were pillaging. He could have killed Gwydion on the spot. Many say he should have."

She scowls and nods.

"Instead...Gwydion was told to fight the lord's young daughter, Keredwyn, and if he won he could go free. Keredwyn knew she was fighting for her father's honor, while Gwydion was fighting only for himself. To his shame, he lost...and Keredwyn's sent him into the wilderness for three years, in the form of different animals. Gwydion knew what it was to be alone and hunted."

"...right..."