#rivervale_lodge

A groan. "Siv..."

"You bring it on yourself sometimes mom, but I love you" the grin turns to a gentler smile.

"Hmph. And I thought pooka were infuriating...."

"I know, I know... Savage Daughters are double edged things" A sympathetic chuckle, "If it makes you feel any better, you and dad have driven me a bit bonkers now and then too. But I'd not trade you even if I could." A sip of her coffee. "Okay. So... I take the Kestrel for no more than five days, but at least one. I ask Sylvi and see if she and her folks are okay with her coming along. I see if you and Magadeline can meet, preferably on neutral ground when she's seelie... am I forgetting anything?"

Brekke is regarding her closely, and she thoughtfully taps a silver finger on the arm of her chair. After a moment, she says, "Siv...if you are serious about considering Fiona... I want you to speak to your father, both as father and as Mountain. Hear his counsel. And then...if you still are interested...I will help you make contact with a mentor."

"Dad.. already mentioned Earth RUnes to me... to visit a Fiona hold I did take a peek and...I met Baroness Coradel. She's.. interesting, mom. VERY Fiona... I feel a bit inelegant next to her but that's sidhe for you... but she never made me feel bad for ..well, you know NOT being sidhe. But.. what mentor did you have in mind??"

"Hm." She nods. "If Almond were still in contact, I would suggest somebody in RowanOak...but..." A sigh. "No, perhaps somebody at EarthRunes is best. This...this is a path you wish to pursue?"

"You may wish to consider how the choice will be received by others you care about, as well."

"I... think so. I mean.." She looks surprised at something "yes. I think I do. I mean, having to say good bye to Bancroft makes me realize how love is worth.. even if I can't be sure of it myself, I want to help others protect theirs."

An eyebrow...then a nod. "You...may also wish to speak to the Hearth about this." Something unsaid there.

Raised brow "Okay. Does AUnt Kerri dislike Fiona?" Worried

A chuckle. "No, not at all." Sip.

"Then... I get the feeling I'm missing something here. I thought joining a House would be more of a MOuntain thing.. spirituality and glamour and all and ties to the Dreaming? "

"Mm." A nod of agreement. "I think you are missing something." Perhaps...amusement?

"Or," she continues, "I may be mistaken." A shrug.

"I think I must be missing something. But I admit it and would like to hear what it is." A nod

Brekke merely nods back and takes another sip of coffee.

"AAANNND you're not going to tell me?"

The Chieftain shakes her head. "It is not for me to tell. I am not even certain I am correct."

"Wait, is Kerri Fiona? I thought she was houseless I... now I AM confused" a gape

"Oh, no. She is houseless, and proudly so."

" I was about to say" she says "I mean.. to hear her tell of it, she was AMBUSHED" A nod

"Hmph. She was, and the Count should have known better, but it was for the best of the barony. She needed to be Regent in my absence."

"And a good choice she is , I'm not sure how she does it all"

"Many, many years of training and practice."

"Well, she makes it look easy. "

"Again...training and practice. I doubt she could climb rigging like somebody I know."

"Well. yeah. I suppose there are advantages to being born on a ship" A grin "But mmm yes. I approve of the Count's choice for your regent in your absence. You and he may carry on" Faux lofty

A snort, and a half bow from where she sits. "You are most kind. Now..." she finishes her coffee and rises. "It has gotten late. I must patrol."

"Fair enough. I'll go talk to Hearth Kerri when she has the time as you suggest. Gerd thinks she's been on edge of late..." A roll of eyes "But I think Gerd's not one to judge right now. "

"Well...perhaps. I have noted it. But I think it can be excused. After all...she is the mother of a wilder girl." A bemused look, and she heads for the door. "We will speak more later."

And the Chieftain is off on patrol, one or more dogs tagging along with her.

A roll of her eyes but smiling to as her mother gets the wilder comment in. she watches her go, a deep look of pride and no small bit of surprise. Her mother didn't know she thought she was a good ruler? How silly. How could one not? Mmm Grumps.. tender creatures at times, Gods bless em.

And she goes to seek out the Hearth when the Hearth has time

(End Scene)

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(Yesterday, all her troubles seemed so far away...)

The word is sore...Kerri acted like she had the resiliency of a 21 year old... and she certainly had the fun of one! Drinks, mechanical bull riding, dancing, and demands on her husband's body that put him through paces while testing her own limberness... she was ravenous in all experiences and didn't give a damn about what it looked like... she almost got into a fight... and was almost disappointed when the other party backed off... so add to what positive adjective you want to the word: deliciously, delightfully, naughtily... happily even... but...however you describe it... sore. Her body now explaining, that she is not a wilder... that hot tub and whatever was in that drink were great but maybe in smaller amounts and...yeah... she takes inventory of the twinges. Somethings she might regret. A few she can't quite bring herself to regret at all. But slowly something does don on her...

This is not how a respected member of the PTSA normally behaves.

The bed is a bit on the small side, and she's pretty sure if she or her husband gave it a shake, the frame might come apart after last night.

But she's hoarded or discarded the blankets as suits her and fluffed her husband beneath her.

(Switching to anywhere as this is a motel)

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Siv goes Hearth hunting.

She doesn't have to look far. While Kerri may have been unexpectedly absent the day before, she's in the kitchen now, writing what appears to be a list.

A knock at the kitchen entry, even as she asks "Hearth? Do you have a moment?"

She looks up and smiles. "Hi, Siv. Of course, come in. Hungry?"

"Oh I can wait if need be, but I wont' say no to a snack. Mum suggested I talk to you.. and I confess, I was a bit surprised because I did not know you knew much about Fiona"

"Fiona?" Kerri looks puzzled. "She asked you to talk to me about Fiona?" This is said as she gestures Siv towards a platter of danish set out on a counter. "Help yourself."

"Well.. I don't know if that's what it was exactly.." She takes a blue berry danish "Thank you" And says "I'm not sure what made her say "And you may also want to talk to the Hearth" but.. I was telling her how I was.. interested in House Fiona. How I liked what it stood for, and might want to join" Nibble