#rivervale_lodge

Brekke frowns, her brow furrowed, and she holds Siv away at arm's length. "Siv...the ship, yes, but...you did not know I feel that way about you, as well? My daughter, my baby, it is very difficult to share you with the world. For purely selfish reasons." A sad smile.

"I know that I shouldn't be crazy about that reason, but right now it sounds so much better than ... well, other reasons given before" A smile breaking on her face, and not a sad one. "Mom... I admit, the Kestrel has gone missing thanks to me before... but you and dad will always be mine too you know? And I'll always be yours...even if you both make me crazy at times and other times I think wer'e talking two totally different languages at other. It's okay to be a bit greedy. You know? Long as it doesn't master you...and you definitely don't let it. So like the Kestrel... I'll be back when I do take off. I will. " A cough "So... just to be clear.. I can have a new ship, but part of the price is I say good bye to the Kestrel and only you and dad can fly her except when you need me to for some reason?"

"Not a price. A reality. I think you will find that, with your new ship, as well as your own car which you still need to maintain, you will have precious little time for the Kestrel. I know you have many memories built on that ship...but you will build new memories on your own ship. I hope it is one you learn to love and can grow with, for it likely will not be exactly your dream when it arrives."

" I thought about that.. it not being up to the Kestrel's level. The good bird has spoiled us I fear." An admission, then "And yes... I think it would be hypocritical for me not to grow to love the new ship just because she wasn't like another. " A curious tilt "Now... of course, when and if you and dad..pass away...it'll be me and not Jessica who inherits the Kestrel right? I mean... she barely knows knots"

Brekke looks at her a long moment...then at the ship.... "I cannot say what will happen to the Kestrel yet, Siv." Quiet and serious. Then she looks at her daughter again. "However, there is yet more to speak about, and that conversation must happen with all three of us, later."

"Sorry, thought it would be easier to get my claim in while Jessica wasn't here to give her 'hey what now?'" michievous "But ahem." More serious "Aye.. yes. you say I've misjudged father's meaning? "

"Well, at the least, you have not reported his words accurately, and I think you are hearing meaning in what he says that he did not intend. But...we will speak of that together. Now...did the Chieftain ask you for specifics about the ship? Do you know what you are expecting?"

"At the time I was too busy telling them I was joking... but I think I can call and make some requests... more to save space if need be or so on... " She takes her mom's hand and walks with her "And yes, I supose I was letting my hurt rescript father... I owe him an apology for that. And yes, the three of us need to talk to night. But..back to ships... when Aunt Clem said you were this close to STEALING the Wave maiden, she wasn't far off wrong? Tell me about THAT... "And the two walk off talking..well, with Siv wanting to know bout this amazing 'greed' trick her mother had all along.

Possibly to her mother's minor embarrassment.

(End scene)

Some time later, a knock at Siv's door. "Siv." It's her mother. "Come speak with us on the ship."

"On the.. yes mother" Siv sighs and closes her lap top and puts it away.

Brekke's footsteps are already heading down the stairs.

And she checks her hair, then soon follows her mother. Her clothes are casual, though she wonders what mom would think of her dress.

Siv knows that "on the ship" means in the captain's quarters, the secret room only accessible by the magic headboard...and her home for most of her life. It's the place for all private family meetings.

Siv slips onto the ship, and knocks on the headboard to let them know she's coming in and now's the time to say nay if they need more time.

No "nay" is given...they're ready for her. Brekke sits in Mom's chair, Frank in Dad's chair....Siv's traditional seat has always been cross-legged on the bed.

"Come, Siv...sit, please."

As much out of habbit as anything Siv takes her usual position, though she takes her shoes off first.

Frank has never looked as much like a stone-faced Mountain as now.

Brekke gives her a bit of a smile at that, and she looks at Frank...then reaches over to take his hand, a light squeeze. "Siv, your father and I spoke earlier today, and you and I spoke after that. I think...we all know you are not happy with your world as it is."

"I am not, though... it has been pointed out to me that I may have put words in father's mouth he did not intend." A look to her father.

Brekke nods, and looks to Frank to respond.

A pause. "We talked, Siv. You ... took away with it what you did. Maybe the words in my mouth weren't the right words to say what I meant."

"It sounded..." She takes a breath "To me like my helping free 8 trolls wasn't nearly as important as the idea someone was going to insist on giving me a ship because of a joke I said. It sounded like you were..being insulting as if I don't know we're not on Sea port...and that I was a fool and a selfish fool at that. It's very hard not to..take it that way. Though I don't know how I was supposed to tell a Chieftain no need, and 'it was but a joke' three times or more and make her heed."

Frank looks at Brekke.

Back to Siv. "I'm sorry. I didn't meant to... I'm sorry."

"Well, it's good to know that wasn't your intent." Siv says "But ...mom's right. I'm not happy with my world as it is"

"I know." Hollow.

"We both know. And we have been speaking about that. Siv...bearing in mind that you are still the same age as mortals who still are finishing school...how do you want your world to be?"

"First, I do not wish to be compared to mortals...I am not one or at least I am not a human mortal. Now, other wilders... by that I think I should be more compared," She says, "I would like my ..." She almost says something, then seems to think better of it, "I would like to turn the GPS off my phone. I would like my liberties to quest and travel recognized like most wilders in Concordia... and not just when some dark crisis requires it. I understand that I am under your roof. I understand that not only are you my parents, that the three run the lodge and as Chief mother rules and right of demesne applies. But Zane wanders where he wants... he's not as good at a fight as I am. Dirk is a better fighter, and he takes what trod he wants when he wants... but he's not as clever as I am. When I see other commoners racing about, or for that matter other nobles, and find myself having to beg every time to do the sort of thing they do at whim, I feel.. well, frankly I feel my soul chill at times. Maybe I don't think ahead enough for the liking of both of you, but I DO think. And I must... be me.... or maybe it would be better if I were unseelie...but I feel as if I am trapped by the very honor and duty I cheerish... that what should be the source of my power are used against me however it's meant."

Frank turns to Brekke.

Brekke shares a look with Frank, a moment...then looks back to Siv. "What of school? If this is the freedom you wish...what of your studies?"

"The only school days I've missed to to questing, if I recall, at least recently, have been on duties for the lodge. WHen left to my own I have repeatedly made it back."

"Agreed. I do not mean to suggest otherwise. Siv...do not assume you know where this next question is going, please, but..." Brekke leans forward. "What do you see for your life after you complete your time in high school?"

Siv may sense her words were chosen carefully there.

A smile, "Wow, you guys REALLY want me to graduate, dont you?"

Eyebrow. "Do not assume you know where the question is going, I said. Please...speak your mind on this."

Frank drops his eyes to the floor.

Brekke squeezes Frank's hand.

"AHem, Sorry" She says "But I feel I should say I'm not sure what good a high school education will do me. Everyone is worried about me interacting with the mortal world too much because of my... fragility..and no, no one else has called it that, but it does seem to be the general opinion. That in mind it has occured to me that perhaps I would be more use skipping high school and focusing on the changeling world more. I'm undecided on that however. To answer your question, as soon as I graduate.... or don't graduate ... depending on what endanagers Rivervale... I mean to travel. I have contemplated seeking out House Fiona... and perhaps becoming a knight errant of sorts...though I know that may interact with the mortal world. I have never been very good at planning I know, but I am good at the sea and could likely find work there if I could find a crew not so banal to work with."

Frank looks up at Brekke.

Another exchanged look with her husband, and a bit of a nod. "Siv...that is more or less what we were discussing earlier. Not those particulars, but the fact that you may not be able to get more use out of mortal schooling than you already have. It has helped you learn how to socialize with mortals, and this is good, but theirs is not the world you will travel in most often, because of who you are. We were considering a...well, your father called it a 'cover story'...to explain why you are no longer enrolled in school."

Siv's jaw drops, then she says "I... am ..surprised. What would this cover story be, please?"

"Well...two options. One, that we have decided to have you live with relatives in Norway...though that might be difficult to explain why you are home so often if you do frequent this 'home port'...or two, that we have decided to home school you. I believe Anne Marie could help with the logistics of that."

"Would you actually be home schooling me for..tests and things?" Dubious "Or would I be doing this at say the DeBukes?"

A head tilt. "What would you prefer?"

"Honestly, staying in regular school is looking better and better the more I think about it" Siv says "I love you both, but ...ah.. you two teaching me as ... in mortal state required subjects? I ..don't think that's a good idea. And the DeBukes have enough folks ... I mean, sounds like I wouldn't be traveling much either way save to the farm if we set that up."

Frank looks at Brekke.