#rivervale_lodge

"Yeah. And that's kind of what Flopsy said, too...to go easy on both of them. So," a deep breath, "I'll try." She bites her lip. "Don't know if I can keep from swishing yet, though."

"Well, you know, the flipside is you're happy and even trolls can't be stoic all the time. " A smile "You don't have anything to be ASHAMED about. That's.. probably why I got touchy when folks griped about the songs. It's like 'why are you trying to shame me?' that wasn't their intent but it was like they were dumping on something wonderrful and I got defensive. " A nod "It's a hard balance you know? But you're better with people than I am. I think, and it's your choice, you SHOULD talk to your mom a bit. Then your mom can tell your dad that you and she talked, and he'll feel better... because he knows your mom has said all that he would " A pause 'But smarter"

She laughs, then covers her mouth. "Heyyy...Dad's plenty smart," she defends him, if a bit belatedly.

"You're dad's bloody brilliant in a lot of areas...but in this case?"

Sylvi thinks for a moment. "Siv...he saw me when I was leaving. He could have tried to stop me, 'cause I think he knew that Colton and I were, um, considering it. But he didn't. He just...he told me I...I never have to rush. It sounded like he was talking about travelling, but also not, y'know?" A fond grin. "Dad's plenty smart."

A smile "And plenty cool. Okay. I guess I'm saying he might be more comfortable getitng the news second hand via your mother"

"Yeah....yeah, probably." Then a groan. "Ohhhh, he's going to interrogate Colton, isn't he."

"Look, I know it's old fashioned, and I know it's sexist, but every princess has a monster guarding her moat...and silly and sexist as it might seem... our dads are our moat monsters. And if a guy can't at least endure our dads for a bit... he's gonna fold at the first real challenge. "

"Well, he's already endured Dad before...but you've got a point. Still...maybe Mom can get Dad to play nice."

"You do realize that if you break Colton's heart, Baroness SParrow might have your ass? Goes both ways"

Sylvi blinks. "Uhhhh....."

A pat on the shoulder

"Um...point taken?"

Sylvi actually does look a little intimidated by that.

"I never would have equated Dad and her before, though."

"Who else would look after Colton close to that? " Sivs says "He doesn't have anyone else. "

"I guess that's true. Wow. So that's what that feels like."

"What what feels like?" She says

"Well, what Colton's had to face with Dad. I haven't had to face it with anybody yet. You just gave me a taste of it."

"With Bancroft it was... well, his mother and father...good folk but I couldn't stay. It was like I was saying s'orry, your son isn't worth it'" A sigh "And that's not what I ..mm;ph well this is so not about me"

"No, but...." She gives Siv a hug anyway.

Siv hugs her back, "Thanks. And relax. I'm the blunt knee jerk judger, you're the smooth operator. "

A sigh. "I hope so. Look, I'm going to go upstairs and catch a nap. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night." A grin. "But I'll talk to Mom tonight, for sure. Thanks, Siv."

A smirk "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night...oh yea, no wonder you're smiling. Go on. I'll handle things here. Tell you about the lance later."

"Thanks, I....wait...the what?"

"Dragonlance, it kills dragons.. in theory. We've got one to field test.. on Skallsktryke."

That gets a BIG smile. "I want to see it. You guys rocked it, Siv. I want to hear the whole story, from everybody. But...after a nap?" Apologetic.

"Sure sure... Dagmar will want to crow a little. Not just about herself, about Symon. He .. he was good! Later you"

And Sylvi, torn between wanting to know and wanting to sleep and wanting to text Colton and wanting to talk to her Mom....well, she at least manages to pass out for an hour or so.

Siv smiles... and whispers to herself as Sylvi departs upstairs "Well, let's hear it for the boy."

Then she enters the main room.