#rivervale_lodge

WOOF of affirmation

and then... the door opens and... Sir Carawyn looks out, the Liam sidhe smiles "Adam right? Come in. They tell me you're part of the lodge pretty much, certainly more than I am"

Adam looks askance.

"Is Sally Mae here? Sir?"

"Yes. In the kitchen" He steps to the side if Adam hasn't already come in

Adam does enter. "Thanks. Mind if I go see her?"

"It's not for me to say or stop you" He says "I Hope all is well?"

"Yeah, yeah......" and he goes into the kitchen.

"Sally Mae?"

"Oh sorry" Her head comes out of the oven "Don't worry, not doing a Sylvia plath here" She turns

"Doing a what?"

"Famous writer poet, I think she killed herself in an oven but I maybe mixing her up with someone. what can I do for you, Adam?" She smiles

"I was wondering if you had time to tutor today?" Politely.

"Oh Well, I may have to multiask, mind if we do so in the kitchen?"

"Not at all!" He takes a seat. "You're great at math; do you have other subjects you tutor in?"

"Well, Math's my strong point, but as I'm in college and you are in high school I can maybe help. What's the subject?"

"History." A bit glum. "Stupid history."

"oo.. you might want to try Vali on that. He teaches French but has subbed history before" SHe says "And he's friends with a history teacher"

A stubborn look. "I'll pass."

"Not if you keep turning down help from good teachers you won't" She brows

A shrug. "Ok. If you don't want to do history, maybe we review math?"

"No no, what part of history do you need to study?" She says

"We're on colonial America, after the revolution."

"oh, missed the revolution, darn shame. I do love royalty getting their ass kicked"

"We did the revolution, supposed to do up to the Civil War by the end of the year."

"Done the war of 1812 yet?"

"Was that the one in Mexico?"

"Nope... let's get down to it. Now first thing to know is, Americans think they won this, Brits think they won it, and Canadians.. don't get me STARTED on Canadians and the War of 1812.... 'We kicked your asses' 'no you didn't that was British regulars and you weren't even a country then." A sigh "Truth of the matter the real losers were the native tribes. Wish I knew more but I'll share what I do"

Adam is.... actually listening and paying attention.

And she relates the basics... thoug hshe does play up the Pressing Americans into service pretty strong "Took them right off the ships, Once an Englishman always an Englishman" and goes right up to the Battle of New Orleans.. and yes, she sings the song, not near as well as Tove would

"Wait, so..... the US started it?"

"Depends on who you asked.. some would say kidnnapping our sailors was pretty darn warlike. As was providing ammo to tribes that were not friendly etc. But yes, President Madison declared war. . folks were feeling smug .. we marched up, burned Fort York in Canda, and VOOM.. next thing you know DC is roasting. Dolly Madison did save some art work I hear but you may want to double check on that. We got our asses Kicked a LOT. But... the star spangled banner was written in a battle ,so making an omelet out of some broken eggs. "

"The US -won-." He clarifies.

"Nope. Yes. We broke even? The real losers were the Native American tribes who had any support from England ripped away after...and The US either ungrateful or angry depending on which side they'd taken. "

A frown. "That sucks."

"Sure does. " She says "yet, for America, it helped Cement our national identiy abit more... gave us pride. We made more of our 'victories' than there were perhaps. But darn it, we DID just surive an Empire.. AGAIN. Says something"

"Yeah, I guess it does....."

"You'll find history is... strange, the people are different, more savage in some ways, they see things as right we know now to be wrong .They did things that we think we would NEVER Do, but if we lived at that time? In that world? We might. It's a rare person who can rise above "

"Guess.... you never know till you're in the moment?"

"I suppose, but now we're getting into the perview of your philosophy, and for that, I recommend Mountain Frank"

"Not taking philosophy." He points out with a grin.

"Good. I'm too shallow for that stuff" she says and then pulls out what she's been cooking

"What did you make?"

"Chicken" she says "Want some?"

"That would be great, Sally Mae! You're a great cook."

A pair of green eyes wink into view in the dark recesses of the pantry...

"And, I don't think you're shallow at all." Sincerely.

"mmm you maybe a little biased for me after our math lessons last time. But credit to you, you paid attention"

"Like I had a choice? That's a lesson that'll stick with a guy!" He is grinning.

"Not only are you talented and smart, but beautiful too....." a wistful sigh.