#rivervale_lodge

"Wait...what the heck happened?" Sylvi asks.

"Frank." Brekke says as she approaches him more slowly. "My Heart."

"I got dad's truck home, finished his rounds... all to protect the Right of Ignorance and make him happy. It was on Orders of the Hearth, and I did it the best I could. Sylvi, I'm really not good company right now and I almost told my father to rot in hell... in Norweigan no less.. .and almost told my mother to shut up. So trust me when I say I am NOT good Company" Siv says to Sylvi

"Frank....speak to me." Brekke approaches him carefully.

"Wow." Sylvi says. "Well...If my mom told you to do it...then your Dad's gotta take it up with her, not you, right?" She doesn't seem daunted by Siv's lack of companionable qualities.

"Oh, actually, your mom told Olgar, but your father doesn't know how to handle a rig. I do so he asked me. I'm NOt licensed, but it's important to dad so I learned what i could enough to make it, and frankly. I don't want your dad or your mom fighting my fights. I am trying to make my own choices as much as I can while still holding to my honor and my duty. The fact my father's path is so unforgivably narrow that if I SNEEZE wrong I've plummeted off the side of it as far as he's concerned cannot, and should not, own my life. I am done worrying about what folks think of me. If House Fiona tells me to kiss off, their loss. If mom and dad doubt I'll understand their lofty ideas... fine. I'll stay in my lane..but I drive from here on where I'm welcome and where I can go without sacrificing who I am. Let's hope Earth Runes works better for me than here. Mom knows how to text me if Dad wants to talk, but I am not putting my life on hold for everyone because I'm afraid not all the votes are in."

He clears his throat. "Brekke."

"Frank." She comes closer. "Tell me."

"Wow," Sylvi says again. "Yeah...okay. So, I'm hearing you. And it sounds like it sucks. I guess...I'm just not used to thinking of the Chieftain and the Mountain as...well....like that."

"Like what?" Siv says

"Well, like...." Sylvi considers. "Like, lofty and unforgivably narrow and stuff."

"Siv. Lied to me. She got the truck. From Memphis. Drove it. 17 hours. Impersonated me. Droped the load. Did the paperwork. Olgar told her to." That last in a low, dangerous growl.

"It's who they are, sometimes, and I need to stop begrudging them that. I'm using it as excuse to stop myself ."

"How do you mean?" Sylvi asks Siv. "Stop yourself?"

Brekke sighs and takes a step closer. "Frank. My Heart. Siv was under orders. Not Olgar's orders. The Hearth's. I have learned from her while you spoke with Siv. Can you let me tell you how it was?" Another careful step closer.

"Not happy with Kerri, either." His voice still dark.

"I mean, I am trying to make everyone happy and proud of me to the degree that I am actually afraid of moving or breathing.. I am trapped like a dolphin afraid to leave the bay..by my fears. No wonder Coradel accused me of being timid in areas. I don't have time anymore, Sylvi. And you know something? For the first time in awhile, I really understand why Jessica left. It was the only way she could find out who she was, what she could do, and make her own choices without being judged."

"She drove. No CDL. Wore my shape. Forged my signature. Incredible risk. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph."

Sylvi gives her a considering look. "Think that's true of every kid, though, right? I mean, eventually?"

Brekke watches him. "You...are not angry with Siv. You are afraid for her."

"Angry too."

"Maybe. I wouldn't know. I'm not every kid. In fact," She says "I'm not a kid at all." She lifts her sack, "Not anymore. Part of growing up is learning when something is unhealthy for you. This? My seeing everything I do from my parents eyes instead of my own? Unhealthy, and a lie besides as it is obvious I'll NEVER see things the way they want me too. I am very angry with my father, frustrated with my mom, and if I were a kid. I'd kick, I'd scream. I'd sulk. Instead. I'm making a choice. I'm going back to where I'm currently choosing to be to see if it's for me. If they want to say I'm being a coward, let them. They can text me any time they like, but I'm done living for their approval because it's keeping me from living at all. If I make them proud, I'll be happy, if I don't, well, shit. Guess life moves on."

"The Hearth told me how it was, Frank. She told me her concern, that other Thallain would find the Dawn Treader, damage her in revenge while you were still recovering."

"Wow...." Sylvi blinks. "Uh, Siv, I've never heard either of them ever suggest you were a coward...." She doesn't quite know what to make of the situation.

"I'd set it on fire myself if it meant Siv was safe. " low.

Brekke frowns. "Then...why hide from her here?"

"Well, that's good to know, Sylvi. Thanks. " She says "Maybe they just see me as dishonorable, or a fool, or I don't know... reckless? I AM reckless. And, after driving that Rig, I am also wreck-less, but apparently the latter doesn't make up for the former. I came here fully aware that I had some issues.... but I love my father, so I wanted to make sure he was okay. I made sure the truck he loves as much as I love the Narwhal is okay. And.. he took those Issues, rolled them up, and hit me over the nose with them like I was some dog that wet the floor..metaphorically speaking. What can I do about it? I want to punch a hole in a wall. WHat I'm going to do is take the hit, dust myself off, and roll on"

"Keep my temper."

"Because she rescued your Rig for you? Because she brought it home safely? Because she was charged to do so, and did it well?" Brekke's turn to frown now.

"17 hours on the road, alone. Vali and Dagmar and I almost forgot ourselves on the way there. Her making it back at all is a fucking miracle, Brekke."

"I...guess..." Sylvi says. "I mean...look, Siv, they're not my folks, and I'm not you, but...I mean, geez, you really think they think that badly of you? From where I stand, they always seem really proud of you whenever your name comes up. Like, maybe worried sometimes, but proud."

Brekke takes a deep breath, her expression changing. She looks down. "Yes. I do not think Kerri knew that Olgar would ask Siv. But Siv does know how to drive well, even if not licensed. But yes...the risk was great. And..." she looks at him again. "Our daughter is Fiona. Or almost is. We must come to terms with what that means."

"Of course they don't think of me that way all the time, Sylvi, if they did, I'd be braced for it when it landed. But I'm tired of second guessing myself constantly just to avoid this sort of thing. It never works. I end up doubting everything I do before I do it, and we both know I'm at my best leaping before I look."

Sylvi smirks. "Well, sometimes it drives me crazy when you do, but it works out in the end."

A grunt.

"Exactly, " Siv says with a smile, then "I'm sorry by the way, Sylvi. I've teased you about your vanity, when it's actually just a part, and not even a big part, of who you are. Turns out I'm just as vain, desperate for approval, and that's FAR More self destructive to who I am"

Sylvi shrugs. "You've teased, but it's mostly been good natured. Right? I mean, that's how it's seemed." A mock dubious look. "Only now I'm wondering if you're calling me desperate, too."

"And we had better do it now, Frank," Brekke continues. "She is furious. And she is getting ready to leave. And I will not have that division rise between us and her again."

A laugh "No, Sylvi, one thing you have never been is desperate. ANd I did mean it light . Anyway...please tell your father I'm sorry but my dad might be very testy at him. Enjoy the shirt, feel free to cut a new design on it if you wish to try your hand , it really is more your color"

"It really is," Sylvi agrees easily. "Thanks. Anything you want to raid from mine? Fair trade?"

"I cannot tell you I am ready."

She ponders "mm not now.. maybe later though. I'm more likely to hit you up for a make up job sometime before court sometime. If that's okay?" She heads to her door.

"Sure!" Sylvi smiles. "Happy to."

"I cannot tell you that that matters to me, Frank," Brekke says bluntly. "Get up, now, and come with me. The three of us will speak together while we can. Now." The Chieftain has spoken.

Frank turns, and follows.

"Thanks, Sylvi" And Siv heads down the steps, and out the front door. She is not in a rush, but neither is she slowing down.

Sylvi follows at least to the door. "Hey, I'm going to text you later, okay?"

"Sure. Might be in Fiona lessons so to speak or on a patrol but I'll try to respond" And yes, out ..deep breath of fresh air. Walking out of the drive way

Sylvi stays at the Lodge door, but seeks Brekke and Frank coming out of the wooded path. She closes the door...but tries to find a window with a good (if inconspicuous) view.

"Siv," Brekke calls when she sees her.