#rivervale_lodge

"Suuuure..." A smile, "I more crashed it.. or got yanked in depending. So.. understand, I'm intimidated. But not going to let them know that so... I'm like "Sure I'll join in' and there he is.. this golden haired sun god...among others. And someone makes a truth or dare... and I take a dare.. and someone says 'Something trolls can't do.. steal.." twas a piskie by the way who challenged this and said "Steal something from him." Now he looked on guard, ready, not goiing to happen. So.. as I reached for his money pouch, he went for my wrist... now I'm stronger, but he wasn't bad.. and I saw that coming so I... I stole a kiss!" A grin.

Her jaw drops. "You didn't. And...he didn't get pissed off?"

"He was too surprised to be pissed... but boy THAT was a mistake. Remember, first time to kiss a sidhe?"

"I meant it to be a peck on the lips. Short you know? Smooch, tada, done! Kiss stolen." A BLUSH

"You meant that...but that's not what happened?"

"Oh no... "Siv shakes her head, "I kissed him.. but when lips made contact, and he was surprised...I... well, tingles all over like you can get? A rush of blood... and..." A blush "Then before I could come to my senses he kissed me back. YEAH. Holy shit. I mean.. my brain about melted."

"Then... I pulled back, and thank goodness for Troll willpower, because I managed to say 'Stole a kiss, all agreed?' and they laughed and agreed."

A look away, "Mom had no idea how turned on I was the entire walk back."

Sylvi stares at her. "Wow...."

"I guess...that kind of explains something about how you and Bancroft got together. I mean..." She tilts her head. "Were you kind of looking for a sidhe boyfriend?"

more blushing

"Well, let's say my curiousity towards them was piqued. I mean, I have dated Eshu and a pooka."

"But before Bancroft I was quite the flirt"

"Was?" A teasing look.

"You know what I mean" Nudge with elbow "I never rubbed anything in Bancroft's face, give me credit for that"

"Credit granted." Sylvi nods, then sits up to comb out her hair with her fingers. "Brain melted, huh? And...Bancroft's kisses were just as good?"

"Actually, Not at first... it wasn't Bancroft's kisses that made me melt. I.." A sigh "It's how he listened."

"And I KNOW That sounds weird."

She tilts her head. "No...I think I get that." Then a grin. "Sometimes Colton could do a little better at that, but he's a lot better than he was when we first met. Back then...wow...he would tick me off so much!"

She laughs "Oh... A bit TOO sure he knew what was what eh?"

"Oh, and Bancroft was ah.. with practice he became just as good as golden boy" She says

"Oh, Colton was so sure of himself, All The Time!" she laughs. Then a shrug. "He's really sweet, now."

Then another laugh. "Siv, the sidhe trainer."

A smirk "Well, I'm going to be Siv the lonely for a bit. Need to.. you know, do space. Feels wrong just.. going back to flirting ... not fair to Bancroft you know?"

Started as a smirk, but sobered fast

"I get it." Sylvi nods. "Like...show respect to the relationship before starting something new."

After a pause. "I want to hear about the pooka sometime, though."

"Sure, the pooka was fun. Kelly, A Kestrel pooka.. so naturally he had an edge. Now the Eshu? He was a jerk... but that's another story..." She gathers her music "Ready to go back to the lodge?"

"I was actually thinking about heading up to visit the Farm for a bit. Visit Lanark, maybe get a ride in, if he's in the mood."

"Can I go with you?"

"Sure!" She gets up and stretches. "You feeling any better?"

"I do.." She admits and rises stretching herself, "Thanks. I guess the talk helped. THanks." And she follows Sylvi towards the footbridge trod

And off they go....

(End scene)

Kerri is working the kitchen, looking for that old roller when.. it falls out..the copper fryingpan.. the one that teaches Sovereign. For a moment it gleams. here is the power of position and authority made manifest. Is she not Hearth? IS she not a noble? By two paths this is an art she has a right to learn.

She stares at it, her lips pressed together, for a long moment. Two long moments. At least.

The words shift and dance, directing a 'how to' sort of thing. How to rule. how to command. How to not be ignored ever.

And the thought that she's been shoving down over and over again in the last few weeks: I'm more than just the maid, dammit!

Maid. Housekeeper. Cook.

She grabs up the pan by its handle. "Okay, you thing....show me what you've got."

"If I learn, I don't need to use. Only for emergencies."

It glows brightly and...vague memories of her past lives flow over her. One where she ruled with an iron fist to keep people alive

And they thrived too, thanks to her!

And at the same time...lessons flow...how not just to command as a knight, but as Hearth...cook? In a noble hold she'd be Steward and they control resources! As a hostess? Chatelaine if you please! Maid? Mmmm not when you also are in charge of others.. major domo maybe, head of human resources maybe...

And Finances quite often, thank you, do folks mock a treasurer? No, but they'd mock the lady balancing the food bill? Ignorant.

Her role, her worth, gathers around her like a mantle, like a maille shirt.

In the old times, those who did not heed a mistress of a lodge might find themselves freezing in the cold hungry.