#rivervale_lodge

"But I didn't lay a glove on you" she says stunned by that talk, but. pleased.

Then at the second comment "So.. If I ask.. I hurt my folks." Oh that troubles her.

A nod. "Perhaps. For a time." A pause. "Lucia, the truth of your words has been clear to me. You want something other than what you have now. If you deny this to yourself, you risk harming yourself, twisting your true nature. In time, your parents will understand this, I believe." I hope.

"I tried talking to them, they say it's just 'wilder talk' or a 'phase' ..maybe they're right but some days I resent SO much being boxed in I think I'll go mad" the girl's truth lingers even in her shadow, the shadow Lucia casts on the cold winter ground takes the girl's pacing and turns into stalking.. a darker echo of almost predator caged and angry.

"You have tried. This is the next step. Ask, and I shall see you have your chance."

If she is alarmed by what she sees in the shadow, she does not show it.

"if ask. I hurt them. If I don't ask.. it could hurt them even more," A sigh "I don't know how Sylvi always seems to know what to do. I don't know how you always know what to do. Envy that."

Then she turns and curtseys, "Chieftain, I humbly ask for a quest both to prove myself, and help my community, one in which I may make allies on the way, but begin alone."

"Hmm." Brekke nods, thoughtfully. "Lucia, I will consult with the Mountain and Hearth. We will determine where there is need that you might quest as you have said. It may take some time; I ask that you be patient a bit longer. The process has begun. You will quest."

"One foot out the door, "she says perhaps to herself, "The rest will happen soon enough. Thank you, Chieftain. WIth all the new souls, I imagine everything IS rather swamped, but in a good way" She beams

"A very good way, indeed." She nods. "Lucia, you know that as you quest, you are likely to meet the same assumptions you struggle with now. You will contend with those for much of your life, I think. Do not expect otherwise."

She nods, "yes, I suppose that's true. People don't see your past, just what's on the surface. But.. Chieftain?" A breath "At least I'll know. Maybe, maybe that will be enough?"

Brekke nods. "That is my experience. And more -- you will meet those who learn to understand who you are, and not who they think you should be."

A smile, "Sylvi helped me learn what I know of sword work. I suppose she is one of those folks. I mean. I still feel a bit weird not being invited, ,but I DO know she didn't mean it as a sleight. " A nod "Maybe Ramona can help my folks at the restuarant and use that as a cover for learning ?"

And she puts the practice gear back just as it was, but only after cleaning things up abit. Best not to mention it, but she's being very boggany about it

"I think the timing of Ramona's arrival is good, yes. She cannot replace you, but 'cover' seems correct. Now...excuse me, Lucia. Feel free to continue to practice, if you wish."

And with that, the Chieftain goes back inside the Lodge, leaving the young boggan to decide what she will do next.

And the boggan grabs the gear anew, and practices... work is required where dreams lead the way

(End scene)

-----

Olgar actually looks a bit annoyed at the balefire, and while he is not linked to it, he does talk to it "It is A-U-T-U-M-N... past Samhain in fact. It's the Unseelie half of the year. Stop acting like it's April just because a dragon is dead and you got a three fer"

The balefire just seems especially, and relentlessly cheerful

and seelie

It's irritating

At least if you're unseelie

The front door opens, and Sylvi wipes her feet as she enters. She has a preoccupied frown as she looks around the room. "Oh, hey, Dad. Something wrong?"

"Oh.. just dealing with the perkiest balefire over here" he grumphs "You'd have to be unseelie to understand why it's irk some. " He tilts his head, "I could ask you the same. You looked like you were chewing on something and weren't sure you liked the taste when you came in"

A sigh. "Well, besides everybody tell me how I couldn't possibly understand them...." She joins him at the balefire. "Dad...Count Hemlock and Lady Archway had a kid, right?"

"Yeah. While back." he says

"And sorry, Sylvi, didn't mean to say you couldn't possibly understand me.. I mean, I know you've had your winter moments so clearly you can."

"Hmph." She pouts at the balefire. "Was the baby kithain or kinain?"

"Well, you know, most don't dream dance until they're old enough dream and more... so they probably couldn't know"

She looks uncomfortable. "Ever think...that Adam kinda looks like Count Hemlock?" Reluctantly.

"You're not the first to notice it," He says "Though if it helps, I wasnt' the first to notice it either. Yeah. I don't know. I see simliiarites, not just looks wise. But at the same time? Fae blood is powerful.. of course he's gonna have a tude. Thing is, I'm not sure... he doesn't seem hirsuite like most satyr kin"

"But...he's local, his whole life. He doesn't know his real dad, and..." She stops and blinks. "I don't think I've ever really talked to his mom much...."

"I thought he moved in? From NYC area?"

She shakes her head. "He said he moved from the same town the Count's manor is in."

"Ah. Mmm yeah, maybe. Look, I understand the Chief is trying to sort things out and taking that chance into account. You want my take?"

"Yeah...?"

"It doesn't matter." He says "We should treat him like any other kinian who has that odd gift of seeing us even unechanted. If Headlock decides 'hey that's my kid' and takes him under his wing, great. If he acts like the kid doesn't exist... also great. We're busy here. "

A sigh. "I guess. So...business as usual. Adam as annoying as usual. All good."

"What's he done now?" Amused

"Well...." She hesitates, then makes a frustrated gesture. "He's as flirty as Zane, maybe more so, but whenever Dagmar comes around, he takes her hand like they're together, and...and I tried to talk to him, but he just doesn't get why there might be a problem with that. Dagmar isn't saying anything outright, but I think it bugs her. A lot."

"mm until you know, best not to assume too much about Dagmar's thinking ..but she's got 'fragile, handle with care' on her heart all right" he frowns "Adam wants to be the hero of a story..or at least, never a muggle. Look...have a seat, let's talk about what you've seen him do and how he's acted. I want to butt in, but I want to be informed, okay?"

And so the two talk abit, mostlhy her dad listens... and she gets to vent even as she shares

(end Scene)