#rivervale_lodge

Jonas sighs and stares into the fire.

the flames do not respond to him, he is not a part of that. Yet now that he has 'free time' he finds himself vexed. It's easier when he has a duty.

His brow knits and he ponders.

A huff.

And he tries to imagine that perhaps he is guarding the hold.

Duty takes the edge off. Duty makes things comprehensible. This is what he's doing, and that shapes who he is.

Dag drifts in, done with chores and horses.

A glance, and a nod to Dagmar, one of greeting.

"Hey."

"Any news? Or help required?"

"Got Star to get over her fuss. Stormwake will joust, so lo and behold, so will she."

"Exemplary, she's too good a war horse not to get her chance to shine," He nods, "Am to guess by the way you stress Stormwake's name, you indulged in prodding her competatitve side?"

"Oh yeah. Those two are like you and Siv,"

"Ahem, I think it might be a bit much to dub them our equine counter parts. How are Stormwake and I alike?"

"Well, you are both proud, and loyal, and put duty high. You want to be respected. Both of you are good in a fight..."

"In truth I'm better with claws than swords and such, but thank you"

"Then again, I suppose the horse doesn't use a swords either" amusement

"However, Stormwake is a bit ..snobby?"

"He's proud, not snobby."

"mmm well, I suppose I am proud. very well, I shan't protest the analogy." Wryly "I will notice that Stormwake appears to be closer to Star than I currently to the lady of my affections. I am thus bettered by a horse."

"True... Siv being away sucks."

"I should focus on my work, but, well, unseemly as it is, when I find myself burdened with free time my thoughts race back to her."

"That seems normal? You miss her."

"In our blood is the essence of sentinel guardians. They were patient to the level of centuries, and when they pined they did so quietly. I open my mouth and my melancholy takes flight right out of my mouth. I should be more like your father, or the Mountain. Those are men who are unflappable"

"Mmph..." ("Are you sure about that?")

"Reasonably" He grunts, but still uses the outside word

"Dunno. Seen'm both flapped."

"Indeed? " brows up 'I do not doubt you, but i imagine it was under some extraordinary circumstance of most dire regard"

"Mm.."

"Why are you ashamed about missing Siv?"

"It's very... selfish of me and perhaps even untrollish don't you think?"

Snort.

"Are you seelie or not?"

"eight times out of ten" he says back stiffening a touch

"So. Why are you ashamed or think it's untrollish to be in love, or to miss the one you love?"

"More that I'm unable to contain it. You don't see the Mountain pining over missing someone, or your father going on about your mother when he has to work? I need to learn to emulate that sort of private resolve"

"...Do you have to work right now?"

"I don't. She does. She's in some practice thing " A sigh

"Well, then, why can't you pine right now?"

"She wants to be a Fiona, I dunno, write her a letter?"

"Dad gets Tove flowers."

"He does? " Surprised, then thoughtful "A letter? I suppose I could summerize my schedule of events for her. a sharing of timelines might help us coordinate in the future"

She rolls her eyes.

"You are worse at this than I am, and that is saying something."

"Beg pardon?" he says "I'm not sure I comprehend"

"Tell her you miss her, that you wish to see her. And then, offer opportunities - don't just be, like, beep-boop-let's-co-or-di-nate-sched-u-ules."

"No, be like... "On Thursday night, you could join me for dinner, or Friday morning we could go for a walk along the lakeshore"

"you make it sound rather simplistic"

"Because it's dead simple. Unless you do it stupid. Don't do it stupid."

"You like her and you miss her. She likes you and misses you. Stop being a putz."