#rivervale_lodge

"Not a smart way to fight though, dying just to cripple. Can we practice a bit while you sit back and watch, chieftain? "

"Yes, I think that is wise." And she moves back to the sidelines again. She'll watch as they fight some more, occasionally offering observations, and reminding them to hydrate periodically.

And so they do... and Adam MIGHT Notice his father is hitting with less restraint. Not out of anger, but rather, recognition his son has skills and drive. In a weird way? Getting smashed full force now and then (With practice weapons) .. is some recognition that Adam isn't a little kid.

And that might just be gratifying, if slightly bruising

(Fade to practice)

-------

after the training, Adam cleans up and while his dad talks to the Chief and the boggans, he .well.. they're OLD folks taling about old stuff? So he opens the door to let Brown Dog out.. and sees Nadeen on the porch

"Oh. Hey. Uh, Hello, I mean."

Nadeen looks up "Oh, hello Adam" She goes back to her book

Adam glances to see if he can read the title/subject of the book.

"Ugh. I swear Count Almond can take forever to make a point" she huffs and keeps reading

"Who's Count Almond?"

"A genius fiona who is, sadly, very impressed with his own writing to the point where Brevity and he are strangers" She answers

"Fiona?" Interested.... very interested. He steps out on the porch and comes a little closer.

"Yes, he's a satyr son of a sidhe noble... and now is a ruler of some out of the way County. I Looked into it once. Alas, Baronal ships are hard to come by" She flips through "Can I help you, Adam? Is there something you want?"

"Wow...." he breathes.

"Uh, yeah. Yes, actually, uh.... can I talk to you for a minute?"

She puts a book mark in the book and looks up, "Yes?"

"So.... at Caer Falken, that was... that was pretty amazing. Like, the way you just... you had control in every conversation you were in."

"It was closer than it looked, but thank you" she says "Had others chosen to take part in the fray, I would not have fared so well."

A grin. "I bet you would have."

"Kind of you to say" She says "I am sure if I lost I would at least bleed them for their effort." Yes, she talks of it as if it were a duel or even open battle.

"Can you teach me to do that?"

"Teach you to do what?" She says

He struggles with the way to say it. "You... the way you got people to support you. Or at least, respect what you said even if they didn't agree with it?"

"Oh. Well, I am a sidhe" She says "That's not the whole of it, but it is a Dreaming given advantage"

"I know there might be stuff I can't do. But I want to do what I can."

"Adam, I'm not sure you'd be good at this, you don't have," A pause "One needs insight and or empathy"

"I want to learn those things."

"You want me to teach you insight, empathy, and how to sway and inspire people?" She raises a brow

"Yes."

And a grin. "I'd like to meet that Count, too."

"I'm sorry, Adam... I don't have time to turn you into a flower shop girl" She rises with her book.

"Please? I have dross, I'll owe you more, or.... or.... I mean, is there anything that would change your mind?"

"Adam, I have the skills and talent you wish you did, but even if you have them inside you, ready to be brought out ... much to my surprise I might add, I have never made any claim to be a teacher."

"And teaching is a whole other set of skills" She says

"Then maybe we both learn something!"

"Or you could ask Sir Vali who is court trained?"

He pauses. "I guess..... I could. Yes. Uh, if you think that would be better."

(Less enthused)

"He's a better teacher... I concede that" She says "Adam, you do realize that court is something you won't likely ever take part in as a peer? I mean, the Chieftain 's set up is actually surprising and I commend her for her experiment."

"I know." Quietly, and not entirely happy. "I mean.... maybe one day, I hope? But this isn't for that right now. It's for my family."

She stops "Wait, how so?"

Her cool resolve gentles juuust a bit.

"Every time I say anything to them they take it like I'm attacking or something. I figured, if you could teach me how, I could maybe avoid that." He speaks with a teen's generality.

"Oh my," She ponders "Adam, while you could certainly use a few weeks in charm school, many people could, your parents are not court going folks are they?.. my skills might be abit too.. barbs coated in velvet for use with them. I'm not sure who to direct you to on how to approach your parents. I might suggest Sylvi, but you've never seemed to like her."

"She never liked me." Equitably. "Not every one gets along."

"Well, yes, I suppose. Normally she would be my suggestion though"

"So....." a touch reluctantly ".... in that case.... Sir Vali?"