#rivervale_lodge

Siv sighs as she drives towards home. It's not that she doesn't love home. Oh far from. It's that she's doing the speed limit. People weave around her and give her dirty looks like she was mentally deficient.

She tries not to grit her teeth.

There's a whole road out there, ready to be tested, an engine that can do so much more; but still she drives at the speed limit, consciously, carefully.

She'd be HOME by now if she was going just a bit faster.

It's not like her parents are watching her. Scrying her is a bitch and the GPS doesn't track her that accurately.

But her word, her love of her father, and trolish honor combine to keep her foot from mashing the pedal harder.

Doesn't stop her from sometimes letting a little of Jersey in if someone cuts her off.

"DAMN NEW YORKERS! Crawl back to your hive ya bum!"

But other than slight altercations and a bit more expression of temper, she makes it home fine. And steps out.

To see if anyone is in the lodge.

"Is there some bone they take out of New Drivers' heads? One that's abscence tells them theyr'e the only ones allowed on a road? I'd really like to know" She says outloud.

"Fine, no one here.. then I'll just say New York Drivers are clearly too stupid to live"

She huffs upstairs to listen to loud music.

And comes down later, still a bit huffy.

Brekke is about to have a bit to eat, and looks up at Siv as she comes down the stairs. "Your music tells me you are upset."

"Doing the speed limit nearly got me killed because jerk ass New Yorker cut me off because I was going too slow." A sigh "So yes, little bit vexed."

Brows raised. "I believe...we agreed on 'with flow of traffic'....within reason. But you are right to be vexed by another driver who cut you off."

"I know, it's just one person blah but i find it ironic I'm in MORE danger obeying the law" she says "but enough of that I guess. You've got more important things to deal with my tilting with anti-karma. Did you learn anything from wilowhispering that axe handle?" She makes sure mum's coffee is full.

"You are a new driver, yet. You will find your wal." A nod of thanks at the refill. "Siv...sit a bit, please. I will share what it said."

"That bad?" She sits down and gets a drink for herself. She doesn't take her own coffee as strongly as her mother, but she doesn't sugar it up like she did years ago as much.

She offers Siv some of her food -- sliced meats, a bit of cheese and bread -- and sips her coffee before speaking. "It is bad. The axe handle delivered a message. It said...'The Lady of Peacock Feathers sends her spite..and regards...and a puppet.' " She takes a bite of food and watches Siv's reaction.

A low whistle. "This could be related to my carnival escpades, or da..or both, couldn't it?"

A sharp frown. "Carnivale...yes." A pause. "I was thinking Thyle, also."

"Thyle? the lady who.. tricked them?"

A nod. "Corrupted them. Convinced them to destroy their honor."

"Until you and dad, clem and the others revealed her treachery and showed them how far they'd fallen, and the Headman became chief and they now try to reclaim that honor"

She's heard the story "Tove mentioned it, she's got a good telling pieced together, thoguh she admits it is pieces."

"For me, as well. Her words help support my memories...and I have an image in my head. A stern, beautiful face, staring down, furious." She shakes her head. "She will never forget, nor forgive. If it is her." A sigh. "Peacocks."

"Then we'll deal with her, as a family, and as a lodge." Siv says firmly, "Mom, you and dad are not alone in this. This wench meant to give a mortal nut a cold iron axe and set him loose."

"Near our home no less" SHe adds

Brekke nods, and rests a hand on Siv's shoulder. "I know, and thank you. Your father, when I told him...." She sighs and shakes her head. "His first thought was to leave. To draw attention away. I told him, no. This is our shared fight. We seek to find out more. I will be speaking with Torrin. After that...the former exiles of Thyle. They will surely stand with us."

"Oh if father tries taht I will hunt him back and drag him back here" Actually offended, "What kind patriarchal bullsh.. pardon, too much time around Uncle Olgar"

A hint of amusement. "I did tell him, no," she reiterates. "I think the hunting and dragging will be unnecessary."

"And..." she adds "...I understand his thinking. Under other circumstances, I would have offered the same."

"Well, those circumstances aside, you'd have a pack of wilders after both of you. I love you both, but remember how you gave me a ratheri ntense lesson about trying to protect others? Sometimes even a chief or mountain may give insult without meaning to by seeking to shield fellow trolls"

A sigh "And sorry, here I am lecturing when hyou already prevented that. It's just...honest, that would have scared the tick out of me him running off. Thank you for swaying him" She looks a bit more contrite.

"It would have frightened me, as well, Siv. But yes...he will stay. He is going to the Farm to speak with Mountain Emmit and gain his wisdom." A pause. "Perhaps you would go with him?"

"Well, sure. Though I think father has plenty of wisdom himself most of the time. Da'ds a good mountain too" APparently not sure her father should feel like he needs another mountain if he doesn't want one

"He's a fine Mountain, no question. But another set of eyes keeping watch is for the best."

"Well, I've been itchy to DO more as it is." She admits "Looking forward to a visit to Jessica too"

"Yes. You must do that...but I will also ask that you keep in contact. If the Lady of the Peacock takes further action, we may need to summon you home."

"Of course"

A nod. "Good then."

Then, "Siv...tell me...how do things stand with you and Bancroft?"

She bites her bottom lip, "I told him no... that I would not move to Hibernia with him. He's.. hurt. " She winces "And it's... "Her daughter looks vulnerable, never the most stoic troll compared to her elders, she seems both younger and more mature as her hurt becomes clear "And that hurts me..I love him, but I can't. You know? We're. thinking of questing together but I'm afraid we're both afraid we might not find the answer we want. You know?"

"I do know." Brekke gives her a sympathetic look. "I am sorry, Siv. But you sound as if you know you did the right thing. It is hard to do the right thing when it also hurts one who matters to you. But sometimes it must be done."

"Feels like a knife in my gut, and I'm the one twisting it" Siv says "I know, don't worry. I won't be rash"

A sigh. "I wish I knew how to make it easier, my daughter. At best, I can only offer this: keep breathing."

A smile sad but grateful, "Good advice for a lot of things. OH well.. we'll see. For now he's still my bonnie Lump." A wink "Of course, seems I've filled my summer with a lot of plans. Jessica, taht Fiona hold, going with dad to see Mountain Emmit." A frown "Am I short changing my duties here to others?"

"Well, the trips you have named I consider service to Rivervale." She eats another bite.