#rivervale_lodge

"Wait, you said Siv told you" Jaymes says "Does that mean Siv is back?"

A deep breath. "Yes."

"She okay?" Jaymes says

"Yes."

"Then why the deep breath?" Jaymes observes

A pause. "I'm out of sorts with her."

"Oh no, what did she do?" Tove says gently

Frank waves it away. "Sorry, Tove, but I really need to talk to Brekke first. You understand?"

"Of course, It's just you've been so supportive of..." She says

then there's a knock at the door "Tove? Uncle Jaymes? Either of you seen dad? He's mad at me for some reason and I'm not sure why" Siv's voice comes through.

Jaymes' lip twitches... yes, it counts as a smile

Frank gives Jaymes a look, and stands to cross to the door and open it.

"Anyway I just got bad and I don't want to have him upset with me at least not until I.." The door opens and now there is Siv's face still talking "figure out wh... Hi dad" sheepish. She has changed into a plain T shirt and shorts

"Hello Siv."

"Hey, daad..so this is where you went" She says.

"Could we..talk?" Siv says "Finish talking? that is?"

"Thanks for the information, Frank"

That from Jaymes

Frank nods farewell to Jaymes and Tove, and steps outside. "Let's walk." And he does.

She walks with him, "YOu got mad" She observes "Do you not believe me when I said I meant it as a joke and they insisted?"

"I believe you."

"Then..why are you pissed?" A sigh "The very thing I wanted to avoid?"

Frank has to walk for a little bit. "Emotional reaction."

She waalks with him for a bit, a frown on her own face, then "Could you elaborate? I know you and Uncle Jaymes and Dagmar can read into everything brief... but I .. I need context dad and .details"

"Siv, sometimes you don't think before you speak. This is one of those times."

"We're inland. The lake doesn't really count. How much of an armada do we need?"

A slow inhale, then "Putting aside, again, that it was a joke and I find it..." Bite down and skip the first words to come to mind "I find it unfair that someone else not having a damned CLUE what a joke is is my fault.... I am sorry if this inconveniences you and mom. Do you have any idea how ... angry it makes me that the sea I love is seen as some sort of 'hobby' of mine? That it seems to be something you and everyone else hope I outgrow? And no matter how much I compromise on what I love, what guides me, you two seem to want high praise for expanding the corral you have me limited to but god forbid I actually slip the gates? Do you know how frustrating it is to... if I dreamed of trucking, some days I think you'd not let me past the County line. Everything I do seems to be a mistake, born of 'not thinking it through' or 'trying to be smart' or..whatever. I have told you this will always be a homeport, but for it to be a homeport I have to be let out more....and not just when things are dire. "

Frank nods.

"Great. " She says after staring at him for a moment, "I have no idea which particular part of that you nodded to."

"Pretty much all of it."

"Well, if you get all that, why on Earth is it the ony time I'm allowed to Fly the Kestrel when we have a visiting Ailil, or word must be spread about the dragon? Why must I have a leash of a cellphone with me at all times if I am not some 'special needs' child never to be let out of her bubble? I've done heroic things, dad. I don't expect a parade. But it's damn odd saving 8 trolls from brainwashing only to come back here and..and the thing that stands out is someone can't take a joke and we might have space problems"

Frank nods. "I'll talk to the Chieftess about it."

"I'd prefer my father talk to my mother. " Siv says "I'm not some...flaw in the lodge hiearchy. I'm not..." her fists tighten "I'm ...not some situation that concerns the Fief."

"I understand."

"You know? Saying you understand is a lot like me saying I'm sorry. It can be very heart felt, but it doesn't mean anything if nothing changes and it keeps happening oer and over and..." A deep breath, "Do what you feel is right. And I will do what I must. Thank you for being honest with me even if I didn't like all you had to say"

Frank nods gravely at her. "You're welcome. And, thank you for the same."

"I'm not sure I can say you're welcome back honestly, so I won't" She simply says as they head to the lodge. She's clamming up.

He nods, accepting that. As they reach the Lodge... "I'm going to get a little more evening air. Back before bedtime."

A nod and into the lodge she goes

Frank walks on.

And the daughter enters the lodge and looks at the balefire, There are nights I hate this place. and she walks to her room as if her parole is over and it's time to go back to her cell.

(End Scene)