#rivervale_lodge

"Mm...Kerri told me something about that. I cannot say I like the name of that plant." She gives Siv a long look. "I understand that it hurts. But some relationships...the timing is not right. Maybe there will be a better time someday...or maybe not. I am glad you and he will be parting on good terms, though."

"On one level,VERY Good terms... gonna miss that a lot," her youngest daughter is not reserved enough at times, "On the other? I feel like bawling my eyes out" her eyes are dewed, "I know you're right. We might meet again and things might change but... that could be years from now or never. I've broke up with other boys, it never stung like this. But... I want yo uto know, I'm not saying no to him for your and dad's sake..oh that might be a part of it but not most. I did it because, I don't want to, and I have other dreams. I'm not a trophy to be won, or some prize, not that he treats me as such, but I don't owe him my life like that and he does not owe me his. Certainly not yet. It's fun to be the girl in love, but I need to put that girl to the side and be the woman that i can be."

Then she mumbles "And I probably sound ridiculous."

While Brekke is uncomfortable at the innuendo, she nods at the rest. "You do not sound ridiculous at all. I understand what you are saying, and I am proud of you for recognizing that you have to make these decisions in order to be true to your story." A sip of coffee.

"Oh" Surprised by that "I.. thank you."

An eyebrow at her surprise. "Siv...I have had to make similar choices in my life. It is part of what makes us who we become. If you were saying no to him for my sake or your father's, I would be concerned. You would not be becoming yourself, but merely a...a shadow of your parents. That is not enough. You are so much more than that."

"Oh mom, I love you, but if I tried to BE you? I'd. go nuts. Also there's the other problem, if I was just like you and hanging around, I don't think you'd be able to live with yourself." Gentle humor intended

"Ha." A wry look, and another drink of coffee. "I think you are not wrong."

"You and dad patch things up? I couldn't help but notice he was..tense and I worried you letting me go out on the mission would be.. hard for him, as I know it was hard for you. I.. don't understand what was eating him, I thought he'd be jumping for joy that we got one over the Leanhaun."

A deep breath and a sigh. "Oh, Siv...I misunderstood what that was about, as well. I am not sure that it is for me to tell, but..." she shakes her head "...he hates that the enemies he has made in his past are trying to hurt the people he loves. That guilt was eating at him. But...you know he is so proud of you."

"He's blaming himself for me... oh goodness sakes somedays" She sighs "Mom. You want me to tell him I LOVED sticking it to that horrid woman? This was dangerous, but it was also the most gratitfying thing I've done in a time. This isn't his fault... it's my triumph, forgive the brag. And I can't brag tOO much because even then I had help. WE were great." She rises and kisses her mom on the forehead "I'm going to bed before I get fussier about this the more I think about it. I love dad, but some days I don't know what to do with him"

A hint of a chuckle. "Be kind to him, Siv, and as patient as possible. All he wants to do in the world is to protect you, and it costs him much to allow you to walk into danger...but he allows you to do it, nonetheless, because you would be lesser if we caged you at home for your safety. Now...yes...go to bed. Dream deeply."

"They'll be bitter sweet ones I'm afraid," A smile, "May yours and dad's just be sweet." And she moves off to her room.

A nod as she goes...and the Chieftain turns to contemplate the balefire in the depths of night once more.

((End))

"Dagmar," Gerd goes looking for her.

Unsurprisingly, the other wilder is horse-watching.

"Wow, you really love that horse," Gerd says not unkindly

Dagmar shrugs.

"You love Edie."

"Yeah," She doesn't deny it, "but can Stormwake cuddle in your bed?" A brow, then a black lipped smile "I was wondering if you were busy?"

"Not really. What's up?"

"I'd like an escort, Uncle Vali doesn't want me to go alone. "

She ROLLS her eyes at Uncle Vali but appears to be trying to comply

"Go where?" A hint of a smile.

"Another kingdom, I was just gonna flicker flash us there"

She shrugs

"Sounds cool. I should let my folks know I'm going, though. One sec..."

bzzt Guarding Gerd on travels!

Bzzt Take flyswatter, and phone. check in every 2 hours?

bzzt Can do.

"Okay, we're good. I gotta check in by phone after a bit."

"Some of the older trolls are such hypocrites, you can bet they didn't have this level of supervision when they were widlers questing."

"Agreed. So - where we going?"

"little place in Lousiana, outside of Orleans proper, so not exactly big city.. edge of the principality of Jazz"

"Cool. What's there?"

"Chamlette? Historical sites... Andrew Jackson fought the Brits... the remains of an old plantation and probably flood damage." She admits, "Though I think the flooding has moved on. Otherwise it's kind of like any other place, just with accents"

An eyebrow, Gwydion alert activated. "Yeah, but what's there for you?"

"Maybe an old friend." SHe says "I lived there once. Look, I didn't promise a grand adventure.. I just.. you ready to go or not?"

"Sure. Got Flyswatter."

The girl does a circle walk around dagmar, "RIng around the rosie, pocket full of posie..ashes, ashes..we all get plague"

And they are gone to..well, anywhere