#rivervale_lodge

"I don't see it, but doesn't mean it's not so" She admits.

"Okay. So find something Jonas likes doing... and even he can't deny it, and make it possible for him" She considers

Frank nods. "I have found that works."

"the problem is claiming his free time before others do" Siv considers "Maybe I can ask Uncle Vali for help in sidelining him a bit. He's pretty good at the con"

"Or just ask him."

"I do" A grumph

"And he does not make time for you? Or prioritize You? Have you told him how that feel"

"Oh I.. " She pouts "That's not..." A sigh "i'm not going to guilt him, dad. And I did have him for all that quest"

Frank waits.

She sighs "maybe I should stop being subtle."

"Sometimes it helps to just say it."

"I thought i needed to be more stoic, not less"

"Why do you think that?"

"Daad.. If I need a therapist I'll go on Sir Magnus' couch and pay him back for you" but she smiles

An eyebrow.

She smiles at her dad "Fine. He loves me for who I am I know."

"You can tell him that, too." Frank points out.

"I will.. now back to the original subject.. you can finesse mom to take a vakay in Nova Scotia. What time of year do you think she'll go with?"

"The least busy time."

"Right." A nod "Which .. mmm wonder when THAT is I..."

"I will talk to her."

Sally Mae enters in, humming happily

"Oh. Siv, Mountain. Can I get you something to eat or drink?" Sally Mae is in a good mood.

"A glass of cider would not go amiss." Frank admits

"On it," Sally Mae says

"GLass of wine wouldn't be amiss" Siv says

"Oh? Mmm" Sally Mae looks at her, "Are you 21 yet?"

"i'm a KNIGHT now " Siv says

Frank sighs.

"Mountain?" Sally Mae says

Clearly deferring to him on the Does Siv get wine question

"The cider is very nice, Siv."

"Fine. I'll have some cider" A sigh from Siv

"And?" Sally Mae says

"And.. THANK you " Siv says

Sally Mae brightens again, "You're welcome, Lady Captain, " and heads into the kitchen to get cider for two

Siv sighs looking at her dad "Are all Hearthy types tyrants in their heart of hearts?"

"Could you say that a little louder? Not sure Kerri heard you...." Frank murmurs as a mild warning.

"Oh... she heard...somehow. It's part of her power..." Siv says but does look heaven ward "Sorry, Aunt Kerri"

"Sorry, what?" Kerri asks as she brings a basket of folded laundry out of the kitchen door that Sally Mae just vanished through.

"Nothing" Siv says. Fiona are fearlesss, not stupid "But I'm curious, do you know why Sally Mae's in such a good mood?"

Before that can be answered, Sally Mae comes out with two glasses of Cider. Handing one to the Mountain first "here you go"

"Well, I'd only just noticed, myself. Sally Mae? You've been accused of unexpected chipperness. What can you say in your defense?"

"Thank you."

Kerri hands Siv a stack of folded clothes.

Sally Mae grins as she hands a cider over to Siv, then answers "It means I am completely paid off of my college debt"

"Oh! Already? Well done! That's quite an achievement...how did you manage it?"

Siv takes the clothes, sets the cider down "Thank you" And my theory gathers evidence

Sally Mae blushes "Well uhm.. Knight's Heart rides... ever since Adam left, I've been allowed to expand it.. and between that and other investments... I'm.. well, doing pretty well"

"Congratulations, Sally Mae. That is VERY impressive."