#rivervale_lodge

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Lucia's folks showed up , and took right over managing Ramona.

Lucia herself, however, asked to stay behind , and her folks were fine with that. Call of the needy means they go to the one they see in need.

After a day of many dream dances and good news, and after Ramona is bundled away by Lucia's family, Brekke asks Lucia to come and speak with her outside. She leads her down to the boathouse -- "You may help me check ropes while we speak."

"Certainly though, I don't know as much about ropes or ships as some," Lucia says . Still, boggans aren't afraid of hard work.

Up onto the deck of the Kestrel. "Have you ever been aboard this boat? Perhaps with Siv?"

Brekke shows her what to look for in terms of wear and tear, and how to knot the rope to draw attention to the spot that needs repair.

"To be fair, no. I mostly hanged out with Sylvi. And most of Siv's adventures are... well, fellow trolls or Symon or .." A shrug then a pause "Well, no. I have been ON it once. But I don't think we did anything"

The cheerleader girl continues to work though, quick to pick up, and has a good eye for spots that need tending, and she points them out. "Not sure if this was like this before, but it's a lot more weathered than the others or something"

"Mm, yes, good eye. Mark that one." Brekke is working on a different line and is silent a few moments. "Lucia...I do not think you are happy. Can you tell me why?"

"What? I'm a cheerleader who is a friend with one of the most popular girls in school. My family is doing well and they can be very supportive. I'm a changeling in a glamour filled barony. I'd have no right to be unhappy" And..she believes that, but one doesn't need Gwydion's boon to know it doesn't answer the question

An eyebrow. "I did not ask about your right to be unhappy."

A bite of her lip, a gesture far too many wilder girls turn to, Brekke has noticed, as if they'd rather devour an expression of another sort than betray it.

Then, "It's nothing" Lie, then she seems to realize who she is talking to "It should be nothing" She clarifies, "I just don't like... sometimes I wish for things that can't be."

"Mm. Please tell me of some of these things." She continues working, but clearly the work is so familiar to her that it doesn't really divide her attention away from the young boggan.

Boggans, of course, excel at talk and work at the same time, so it slows the girl not at all, but she seems reluctant, then, "Well, you know those magic cookies? THe ones that change your kith for a short time?"

"Yes." A bit of a frown at the thought of them. "You ate one?"

"I wish there was something like them, but permanent" A mumble

but the truth of it is loud and clear

"You...do not wish to be a boggan."

The girl looks ashamed

"Hm." Several quiet moments. "Lucia, what is it...how is it you would like to be?"

"All I know is that even before I was a boggan, I was doing boggan things. Cooking, Cleaning, helping folks and listening to gossip. It... I don't remember what popped me out, because I came out early... folks to guide me... it was..surreal. 'Hey, Lucia! You're one of us, you're magic! And your role is to cook and clean' which was my role before! it was like... as a mortal, I might have gone anywhere, done anything, but being a boggan was a way of telling me know 'not only is this who you are, it's what you are... ' and my folks are like 'hey, you'll run the restaurant one day' and it's a GOOD place. It makes money! And it makes THE Best Italian food in... well maybe the state if you ask us. I'm set for life! My life is set and..."

a sigh "I..asked Sylvi to teach me to fight. And she did. It's really not that different from knife work with cooking just more muscle and different goals. But Adam guards a Rath? My job? I brought him soup while Sylvi went off on a quest. She invited Zane. She..." A breath "ANd I know why. I mean, who invites a boggan? What do we do? Act as valets? Cook nice meals on the campsite while folks watch for monsters? "

Brekke pauses and looks at her a long moment, as if seeing somebody she has not seen before. "You wish to do more. To...make a difference?" Then a wry sound. "You sound like Hearth Kerri when she was only a bit older than you, but in reverse."

"Hearth Kerri is amazing" She admits, "ANd I don't mean my father would KILL to figure out how she makes those little dough rolls with the cheese in it cook so nice. Though he would. I know what she does some say is boggan work, but that's.. what's what makes her amazing. She can do what boggans do, and she's a troll! She broke the mold and then some, and I know she's not just cooking or cleaning either, ,she's a leader! Like Sylvi, like you. But I .. I guess the only part of being a boggan I like is advising maybe, and yeah I like gossip too much. And Ramona, she's SO excited. SHe's a fairy, she's magic. But I wanted to warn her, this is the boring magic, this is the magic that Eshu and Satyrs see and shudder going 'there but for the grace of the Dreaming go I'... you think I don't sense it? We're overlooked, and the only time I think we're really appreciated is when we stop. And we don't stop. Why ever would we? You know who takes boggans for granted the most? Boggans themselves! My folks can't even CONCEIVE that I might want more? They'd be hurt to hear it. They'd see it as a rejection of them! Because boggans are what they do, but since we all do the same, we're all pretty much interchangeable. Ramona is her, and she thinks she's special... but I don't know how to tell her she's now among the least special of the specials, and at least as a mere mortal? She might have stood out."

And the girl believes every word

"Hm." A long pause. "I believe this is your experience. Ramona's experience may end up being different, and so it is right for you to let her find out for herself. For you...." A sigh as she finishes coiling a rope and putting it aside. "I am sorry, Lucia, that I did not see this before. I do not think you are in the wrong for wanting to be something other than what is expected of you. I would support your efforts to explore, if you need the support. I think it would be dangerous for you to deny this drive. And yes...it may cause hurt in your family. For a time. Again, I will support you in this." A measuring look. "You wish to quest."

"More than anything" she says the truth of it is so clear it's bell like, Then she covers her mouth and seems surprised, then covers her mouth "But all the quests are taken by trolls. I mean, you're all very good at it. Sometimes I think Siv quests just to pass the time, and Sylvi can get one going by five minutes of texting. And like, everyone knows your other daughter just headed west one day and boom, countess. I mean, I don't know if it's the kith, or there's something in your water line at the lodge..." Then a blush "Sorry, I'm rambling"

An eyebrow. "You do realize that both Jessica and Siv have undertaken quests against the wills of their father and myself?"

"Ahaha" nervous look "Little bit"

"I mean to say...sometimes we have been hurt by what they have done. But what they have done has turned out to be necessary."

"Uhm among wilders, Chieftain, that just makes them cooler" Apologetic scuff

"Understood." She doesn't look happy about it, but she does understand it.

Then "Oh. no Siv and Sylvi never want to hurt..."

"Hurt sometimes happens without intent, unavoidably. So, then...a quest." Another measuring look. "Alone?"

"I mean, it's clear as a tomato slice on a clean plate Siv thinks you're everything a troll should be! And.. one for me?" A shift of topic

"You wish it." It is not a question. "So I ask: Do you wish to quest alone?"

"Yes. I think I need to" she says "or I'll always wonder if I was just the side kick"

And that's the truth, not a proud truth, but very self aware

A slow nod. "I must find one to suit you." Another pause. "Come. Set that aside," she adds, referring to the rope.

"Yes, Chieftain" She does

Brekke climbs down from the boat, and helps Lucia if needed. Then she leads the way behind the Lodge to the practice ring.

"Are we going to spar?" She says surprised

A nod. "I must assess your readiness." She picks up a practice sword and sets Speaker aside. Her maimed hand she puts behind her back. "What is your weapon of choice?"

"A short sword, or dagger, it's closer to the knife work I'm used to in the kitchen" She says and reaches for one, "I also like a shield because well, anything that can keep me alive longer" A breath "Did you know there were female gladiators? They called them gladiatrix's. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like. Horrible, I suppose, but at the same time, to be the best, to get all the attention. I know I like it when we get the crowds pumped at games"

Brekke nods. "I did know this. Fighting for glory and praise can be very gratifying...but not if one is doing so as a slave to others." Of course Lucia would know how much the Chieftain enjoys Pennons. Once the boggan chooses a shield, Brekke nods. "I will defend. Attack."

And she does. Brekke has fought many opponents in her day. Why it might surprise Lucia to hear of it, the Chieftain has even faced boggans who were no slouches at the blade. Boggans do not make much of their warriors, that's not what the kith prizes. Perhaps they should make more mention of them now and then though so that girls like Lucia know do exist out there. Most boggans are rather poor at one on one fights though. Worn down by satry stamina, overpowered by troll might, and simply outshown by the sidhe, but with some pride for her own lodge, Brekke may notice that Lucia has been trained quite solidly in the fundamentals of sword work! The girl has the right grip, a good stance, and though she is clearly out matched, resolute to do her best. Her blows are not overly telegraphed (Though Brekke can read them with her years of such duels) and she knows how to put her full muscle into it. Dough rolling and cheerleading has kept the girl fit, by boggan standards. She has a long way to go before she is ever considered expert though. Perhaps the best word would be 'trained to standard'

After some time, Brekke stops her. A long look, and then a nod. "You would make a very good soldier. With more experience, you may make a fine warrior." Absolutely serious.

"Lucia..." Brekke says, setting aside the practice weapon and picking up Speaker. "Your parents will not wish me to send you away on a quest. They will not see the need for it when there are others with more experience. But I would not deny a quest to one who asked to be sent on one. If she asked." A pointed look.