#rivervale_lodge

A blink. "Lily?" She looks about. "I dislike eavesdropping," she reminds, but does not sound overly angry.

" it's okay, Chieftain. Symon told me a lot of trolls suffer from that condition" Lily says understandingly

"Did he also advise you to respect it?"

a beat "he had advice"

TRUE

Siv hides her expression

An eloquent eyebrow. "Please bring your family, thank you."

the little sluagh curtsies, and goes off.

Once she's gone, Siv waits a beat, makes sure no one else is listening and says "How do you keep a straight face in times like that? "

A long-suffering sigh. "Years of practice. Years and years of practice."

An embarrassed blush "Right, won't look for the source of that practice. Ignorance can be bliss"

A brief chuckle. "It was not all you, my daughter."

"Oh true. You knew Vali as a kid. " Siv says

"Oh, yes. And many others." A distant look for a moment, then she takes another sip.

"Many others? Oh, now I am curious... sounds like stories.But with the Thomases on the way I guess they can wait. Another time though?"

"Ohhh, many of them are only half-remembered, now. But...well, much of it was Firnost. And even before that, my first oathcircle had certain...characters."

"I'll bet. you should write things down mom, if for no other reason taht if you don't, Professor Wayburton might decide to. And he always makes you twitchy when he writes a book about you"

"Hmph. Bite your tongue." Then a brow. "You have stories to write, as well, already."

"In point of fact, I do have two journals. My real diary, and the other I leave out with rainbows and kittens so to annoy symon if he peeks. I dont' think he would though"

True?! it's true.

and then... there's a knock on the door

Siv moves there and opens "Oh, Mr Thomas, Mrs. Thomas... Lily, come on in" Siv says "I'll get drinks and things. Mom, you want some food?"

Brekke stands and nods to Siv. "There is much still from the Silverwolf visit," she suggests, then goes to welcome the Thomases, shaking hands with Kyle and Brenda, nodding to Lily. "Please, come and sit."

Brenda says "is everything okay? Is Adam all right?" The satyress takes a seat

"Adam is well. I visited with him. I will remind him to contact you, if he has not been doing so."

"He's texted now and then but it's been vague" Kyle says "ANd infrequent. Glad he's okay. But you must have some news for us or you'd not have called for us I think"

Siv has vanished to get food but soon returns with snacks from the Ailil meeting and drinks alike. She holds the trays one in each hand with balance and strenght. It's a bit reckless. but she manages

"News, and a suggestion. First, Adam has begun working with the Keeper of the Hounds and Aerie at Earthrunes, Sir Sergei."

Brenda actually smiles "He did go on about those hawks and falcons the last time. I'm glad he got to see them again"

Kyle says "I don't think the Olympics has a falconry team so as a father I'm shattered" straight faced but humor in his eyes

Brekke gives a brief amused sound. "I saw him working with them. He is careful, gentle, and attentive. And he listens to Sir Sergei. However, the Master of Beasts is Varich, so he cannot help Adam with training in the ways of House Fiona."

Kyle says "wait, he listens to Sir Sergei? I don't mean to sound... it's just he so rarely seems to without makign them run laps to prove why he should listen."

"he's gotten better" Brenda says but she clearly sees her husband's surprise as valid

Brekke nods. "He seems motivated by the care of the birds, and he recognizes Sir Sergei's experience and expertise."

"I wonder if that's an expensive hobby? If it will engage him" Brenda ponders, "Oh but I'm getting distracted. Who can help him with House Fiona? Can anyone?"

Brekke takes a bit of the food before responding. "It is an interesting situation. A group of three Fiona have offered to mentor him. No, it is more that they have offered to train him until it can be determined that one would be the most appropriate mentor."

Kyle ponders "It sounds like he might be going on these trods a lot. isn't that dangerous if done too often?"

"Ah, and that brings me to the main point I wish to discuss. Sir Magnus has suggested that, if you wish, your family may rent and relocated to a property near EarthRunes while Adam studies."

Brekke seems to have every expectation that this may take a while to sink in and process.

It does... Brenda looks surprised then delighted, then worried. the change has not been easy on her, and to a large degree she would admit that has been her own fault. She has gotte nskittish about making the wrong choices.

Kyle has the advantage of trollish stoicism, while he quiets, and does ponder, it is harder to read him.

No doubt, he's calculating things

Lily..hisses

"Of course, this would be a disruption."

An eyebrow at Lily. "You do not approve."

"my friends are here." she pouts "connor gets into trouble without me. jack is only now tolerable. boys need supervising"

Keeping her face neutral, Brekke nods seriously. "Understood." Then she looks to Kyle and Brenda.

Brenda says "Have you mentioned this to Adam? I worry he thinks we're trying to control his life"

Siv looks torn, like she wants to say something but then defers to her mom. They're not going to listen to a wilder girl. They need another parent's view

'At the same time" Kyle admits "I'm not comfortable with him in this 'between ' state without us nearby if he needs us"