#rivervale_lodge

"I think so. I hope so!"

"Ah if he doesn't I'd be surprised."

"Well... he was weird on the phone?"

"Weird?"

"But I guess he was upset we were gone."

"Oh shoot... he thought you were ghosting him?"

"I think so."

"Guys can be sensitive. " She says "And he may also be a bit jealous he couldn't come along. No telling what that would have done to a human soul."

"Probably drove him nuts. Or picked up a sidhe."

"Either way... I mean, I like nadeen okay, but losing Tanya is still... I mean.. you know?"

"Yeah..it sucks how that happens. I mean, for most of them... Scathach are like us, and a lot of Liam I hear, but otherwise 9 out of 10 Sidhe probably..took a body."

"Yeah." nose-wrinkle.

"I don't want that to happen to Adam. I don't think he knows it, but he doesn't either."

"It's not that common or it would be raining sidhe all the time, but I can see why after Tanya you'd be worried." She admits "I don't know if his blood makes him more or less likely to have it happen, but you can't live in dread of it all the time"

"I know... but.. it kinda just, like, is in th eback of my head?"

"Who can blame you? Way you described Nadeen's arrival would give me nightmares"

"Tanya was a bitch, but..." She shrugs. "Not even a bitch. Just, y'know, we were different."

"I hope they go somewhere nice."

"I think it may vary from house to house... I know it sounds nuts, but I think not all have control per se, but they can lean into it? switch things for targets? and some houses have.. fail safes... and others on the other side ready to help them. Like.. I think humans taken by Balor go to slave pens... but those taken by Gwydions enter honored halls as maybe guests... and well...Fiona probably blows their mind. Least, that's what some folks think"

"But Varich?"

"I don't know, they're Unseelie... but that doesn't mean monster. My guess would be the mortal souls would fit in some pattern... but...what pattern I don't know. Nadeen seemed to think Tanya was fine, so I guess worse comes to worse Tanya is wandering a nice part of the Dreaming or maybe bussing tables in a fantasy land?"

"Varich don't love."

"That... I mean, I don't think I want to... I mean... Adam's okay, but I don't..." She frowns.

"Tove and Jaymes seem so happy. And your parents, and Sylvi's..."

"Hey," she says "Look, if you want advice about love, Kerri's probably best, but you know what I think?"

"What?"

"I think that some leap over the edge of a water fall, some never go near it, and some enjoy the view so much they stare in wonder for a time, then go down the rocks nice and easy.... and that's for each person to decide you know? Everyone has their own heart dance. Maybe mine is a salsa, Sylvi Tangos, and yours is a waltz... but each has their own pace and to hell with osmeone who tries to make you rush the steps".

Sigh.

"Except I've already been over the falls, right? And it's not fun, not really. Not for me, I guess."

"yeah... but... maybe I"m a fool, but I think when you are ready to do it by choice? That's.. that's gonna be different. No one holding your face under the water choking you.. kind of thing." A frown, "And I'm sorry. Sometimes.. it's not that I forget... but ther'es nothing of love in what was done toyou... so when I talk about love... I don't think that...it's not the same. Not near the same. That's on that asshole who did it. Not on you. You are not tarnished, you are not dirty because of what some bastard did... you're hurt, but like a wound, it can heal...it's just gonna take awhile maybe, and I guess yes there will be a scar... I.." A sigh "I wish I were wise again like when I was that priestess"

"I like you better as you." Grump.

"Yeah?" A bit of a surprised tone.

"Well, yeah."

"You're... real, right? I wish I were as brave as you/"