#rivervale_lodge

"Dad." She says "not consciously, no. But subconsciously, it's possible. I have teased Sylvi about her bouts of Vanity, but I have my own form of vanity. One based not on looks, but approval.. and worse, it can turn into resentment. I am learning to check it, but I had to learn about it to check it. You want to protect me, but you see me with a father's eyes. " But part of her is pleased and she kisses his cheek as if complimented

"Who's eyes would I use?"

"I could tell you, but I think sometimes I like you being just a wee bit blind to my flaws" She says truthfully

"Hmmph."

Siv smiles

"Well...be sure your eyes are not overly critical of yourself, Siv," Brekke says. "You are doing a difficult thing. You will not succeed in all ways every day. Be kind to yourself."

Frank nods agreement.

Siv 's face breaks into a smile at the memory of a hot bath and a lion giving a really nice back rub "I assure you, I have treated myself more than a few times." She says "Now, what the heck happened with this trip exactly? What's been going on here? "

Brekke looks to Frank. It's his story, really.

Frank tells her, speaking quietly and briefly.

"Dagmar lost it? Oh mhy gosh no wonder... she was so.. yeah, she needed that Xena thing. And is Vali always so.. blood thristy with Thallain?"

Frank nods. "He is."

"Dagmar was so what?"

Brekke looks concerned about Dagmar as well.

"I think she was deeply troubled that she fought you, dad. Nevermind nearly killing that woman, the idea she could have hurt you if you hadn't restrained her... it shook her a bit"

Brekke nods and looks at Frank, nods again. Something unspoken.

"She's better now I think, talked to her own dad. We watched Xena, and well, almost everyone was in a good mood what with the proposal"

"Mmph. Wait, what?" He blinks.

"Proposal?"

"Oh wait, you guys didn't know? " She says "Oh!" And breaks into a smile "Vali proposed to Tiffany! "

"Ah!" Brekke grins. "That was some time in coming."

"He did?"

"He did" Siv beams happily matching her mother's grin "Kerri is going to make the cake. In fact I think she'd have been insulted if they asked anyone else." Amusement at the memory of Kerri puffed up as if she'd just won pennons

"Huh."

"Mm?" to Frank.

"Dad, are you really so surprised?" Siv asks

"No, I suppose not. Good for them."

"I am more surprised that Tiffany said yes."

"Mm." Agreeing.

Siv says "That's the least surprising part to me. I was a bit of a bitch to her once, because of who she served. Didn't like her going near Vali. She ..well, she stood up for herself and for her right to happiness with him. I got a bit torn off me , but deserved it."

A blink. "She attacked you?"

"Not literally, mum, she just put me in my place. Sorry. I should be careful with the metaphors"

Brekke eases down from the immediate tension that took her at the thought. "Ah. Good." A nod. "Then I am glad that both she and Vali are accepting the happiness that they wish."

"Yes. We should do something for them."

Siv says "Pooka are hard to know, but I think Tiffany might like a kind of couple's hiking thing sometime?"

"A couple's hiking thing...?" Brekke repeats the words, not quite grasping Siv's vision.

A blink; that was not what he was expecting.

"I was thinking maybe getting them an away trip somewhere nice like I did for you guys that one time?"

The trip to norway

"Either that or some paint ball weekend where she gets to shoot Vali, a lot"

"We can talk to them."

Siv says "or mom could be cheeky and make Vali and Tiffany a baby crib"

"Mm. Yes, that is a good idea. Ha. Perhaps we should send them to visit you at EarthRunes, and you would challenge them on that course."

An eyebrow. "I will not push the issue."

(re: the crib)

Frankn grunts in agreement.

"Mm they might enjoy it" She means the course

Then curious "Ah, mom, dad. Forgive me, but.. this boy Jack. I've met him. Sweet boy. He was..asleep outside your door. I put him and connor up."

Frank sighs and looks at Brekke.

Brekke shakes her head and sighs as well. "I am not sure what to do about him. He wishes us to adopt him, but that is not something we wish to do. He is a fine child, but..." She looks to Frank.