#rivervale_lodge

A blink at Siv's fierce (and unnecessary) defense of the DeBukes. "...as you say."

"I mean, I think you're right that they can handle this." Siv adds. "without automatically wanting to strangle the Ailil"

"I will explain the situation to them. If it is for Connor's welfare, they will wish to help."

"Well, I was going to invite Sylvi along, but if you folks think she is needed here... " Siv says "I imagine her folks will have opinions"

"Well...let us see how it goes, but do ask her and see if her parents approve."

"Fair. I think she feels a bit stir crazy at times. I mean, her usual mortal clique is scattered during the summer, and while she has her fae friends and Colton... well... maybe I'm imagining, but I think she's looking for something she hasn't found yet " THoughtful

An eyebrow. "I think you have just described wilderhood."

"Ah" Blush "Well, maybe. Perhaps she's fine and I'm projecting a bit. Though..." A smile, wolf teeth bold, "I am feeling my way out and about in what I can do and what feels right. I'm learning I can contribute and..well, in my own way."

Brekke takes a bracing gulp of coffee before speaking. "I may regret asking this, but...what are you learning about what 'feels right'?"

"I think I could be a pretty good raider and spy" she admits "I know it's not typical for trolls... but that's one reason I'd be good at it ,AM good at it. I'm learning metamorphosis or trying to."

A troubled brow, and she wishes that Frank had not stepped out a few minutes ago. Still.... "I cannot deny that you have demonstrated skills in this direction."

"You are studying with Chieftain Clem?"

"Ah no, that's.. Primal... there's Metamorphosis that is.. well, more specialized?"

"I thought her skills might be a first step. But...then who is your teacher?"

"A really nice satyr down in the Firnost area." She smiles

A dubious look. "Siv."

"What? Mom.. it's not dirty or anything. " A frown

"I suppose I should say satyress"

A deep breath. "Either way...be cautious. Learn, but be cautious. Teacher-student relationships sometimes become complicated and...well, Firnost has its influence."

"I think I would like to meet this satyress."

"Well, we actually practice outside of Firnost a lot if that helps? She's a performer"

"Music?" This seems to be a concern.

A sigh "Mom.. do you know embarrassing it can be to tell my friends and peers they have to meet for a Gwydion security check?"

At the mention of music "mm? Oh no. She's in theatre"

An eyebrow. "Siv, you will survive the embarrassment. What is her name?"

"Probably, but must we keep testing the theory?" She mutters then speaks up more clearly "Magdalene Madison ...she's about a year older than me I think but very talented. She has a condition, but seems tolerable either way"

"A...condition?"

A frown "I shouldn't have said that. It's really her business. She.. flips? From Court to Court? One day she might be Seelie, the next Unseelie? She got herself cursed poor thing"

"Hmm. How dangerous does her unseelie side seem to be, Siv?"

"A lot more uninhibited than her seelie side, sort of girl who isn't ashamed of her vavavoom and all... pretty likable, but with a real independent.. .even rebellious streak. I think if you try to tell her WHAT to do, she might either flip you the bird or do the opposite to spite you. Probably one of the reasons she hangs close to firnost- No freeholder, no right of demense, no trouble. OTHER than that, unseelie she's actually pretty cool. She's pretty big into NO one ordering some one else around. She doesn't seem to be anti noble.. she'd just as likely tell off a commoner when she's like that. Seelie wise she's a lot more reserved? But still VERY into her craft. And likable... she'll happily talk for hours about plays of yore, current ones, and how to be in character. "

Siv may be aware of Brekke's expression going even more odd and troubled as her daughter describes this friend. "I...see."

"mom? What.. " A pause "For some reason this upsets you. How can I put your mind at ease?"

Brekke closes her eyes and shakes her head. "I do not think you can, Siv. I...trust you to try to do what is right. However, I know you will make mistakes. I cannot protect you from all of them. You trust this girl. I do not know her. My urge is to be cautious because I wish you to be safe...but I must allow you to make some choices. It...is not always easy to know when to step in and say 'no' and when to step back." A wry grin. "It was easier when you were little."

A blush, then "It almost had to be huh?" A smile "It's okay mom. Maybe I'll introduce you to her after all. Preferably when she's seelie. I'll be honest.. I've met Unseelie I can deal with, and even like? But I don't like myself unseelie that much. Every time I tried it goes south. I don't wear it well and I either get myself in trouble or worse hurt those I care about. And I'm not going full modernist any time. How could I? I've got a great example of leadership who is both chieftain and Baroness.... you show me that the Dream of leadership can work. Even if I'll never likely be one myself. Jessica too. So I don't plan on joining the Ranters or what not no matter how many radicals I meet."

A blink...and an odd expression of a different sort. Brekke swallows. "Siv...that means a great deal to me. Thank you."

Her voice may sound a bit rough, and she clears her throat.

"It's true. I mean, I know the Wayburtons make you nuts with the 'Study of troll rule' thing but.. yeah, I'm .. I guess a reformer / traditionalist? That is... I think the sidhe system has merit, but needs a heavy shot of respect for OTHER Kith's traditions ... like troll lodges. The DeBukes? Well, I praised them earlier, but partly we because I was so SURPRISED how they adapted so much... and they're still.." Apolgoetic "a bit blind in a few spots. They'd throw the baby out with the bath. Heck, I've studied the books dad hands out, and more... trolls take up leadership out of duty like they take up anything else, but the point is we have a rich history of our kith standing up to bear the burden of it when none better are around. I mean, Count Hemlock knows you're good or he'd not have supported you in this. You showed him what yo ucould do. "

"Hm." Some amusement. "The DeBukes did not initially consider Hemlock's confidence in me to be a good thing."

"The DeBukes, the older ones especially, are stuck in the Accordance War... and glad I am that they're finally pulling from it. You working in the system isn't a failing, it's a strength. You're PROUD Of being a Gwydion, I see it. " A smile "Sometimes I think... I wonder what it would be like to be in a House.. to have comrades in ideals you know? Must be a comfort."

"Well, the DeBukes are not as extreme as they were when I first met them. Their transition to where they are currently was not easy for them." A serious look as she finishes her coffee and gets up to get a refill. "A House can be...reassuring, yes. A confirmation of what you know to be true of yourself." Curious. "Should I ask what Houses hold appeal to you?"

BLush... no point in lying to her mother, even if she weren't Fiona she might guess she was and it would hurt her feelings "Fiona."

A wry grin as she fills her mug. "I suspected."

"Well, it's just.. you know, they fight for love! It's... my favorite part of the Seelie Code. "

Sheepish she's so easy to peg.

"Mm." She nods, returning to her seat. "It can also cause great heartache, Siv. Many Fiona lead tragic lives."

"That risk is what makes them heroes, mom. It's not the lack of fear, it's that they put their hearts on the line for what they believe. Take that chance of sacrifice away, they're just.. party goers with sword....but have them risk what they value most for Love itself? They're heroes who make the world better"

Eyebrow. "You seem to feel strongly about this."

A blush "I guess I do."

A sigh. "And I may not have given you enough credit. I thought the 'party goers with sword' would have been the part that appealed to you."

"Well, hell of a perk mom, but I don't need a House for that" A grin "I mean, what makes you think House Siv hasn't already got that covered on her own? "