#rivervale_lodge

Holger's eyes are wide as he reads up on the origins of trolls . At least three different versions

"But which one is real?"

"Which one do you think?"

"I would have thought the traditionalist before. Sidhe must be foremost annd we should follow, but they must work for it and cannot ignore their duties. But..." he sorts through the papers "They all make ..ah good points?"

Frank nods slowly. "I agree."

"You are a traditionalist? "

Frank chuckle, then laughs softly. "No. I am not. But I think these different stories all make good points."

He looks "What do you think is our real story?"

Frank considers the question.

"I think maybe we're not meant to know. Ithink it's possible our origins are -all- of the stories. I think the stories are truths wrapped in the language of legends."

"Salma says anyone can KNOW a story, but not everyone can believe it"

He nods as if these two things fit somehow

"She sounds wise." The Mountain agrees "Among mortals, the believers are precious."

"Si. Salma reads many books, and she thinks many bookish thoughts. I hear a story and I think 'I like that, it makes me feel good' and she says 'but why does it make you feel this way' and I have to THINK about it. It is harder than it looks to think about things you did not think you needed to think of at all. But she thinks a great deal. This is why we must keep her supplied in churros so she can have fuel for thinking, and more books, so she has much more to think on"

"She is the pooka, yes?"

"Si, a burro, a little donkey pooka" A fond smile "It is hard to always understand her, but she has a wise head and a good heart"

"She sounds like my kind of people."

Holger gives an intent look at the Mountain's ears, ponders it "Perhaps"

Holger gets an eyebrow.

"She has also tried to teach me how to be funnny" the boy says quite earnestly "I do not think I will manage that, but I am working on it"

"Comedy does not always come easily to us." Frank reassures him "My youngest daughter is an exception."

"The Lady Captain" He nods "She took me on a patrol. It is very pretty here in El Norte, but cold. She got me a jacket"

"She is an exception.... an exceptional troll."

"So I should not try to look to her for teaching?" Confusion "Because she is too different?"

He chuckles. "I do not mean that, no. She is different, and you can learn from that."

A nod "I try to listen to my elders. It is polite" Quite somber "And sometimes they know things." He gives an example "Dame Ash taught me that some peopole like Reese's cups after they have been left in a refrigerator. I had never tried them cold before. I like it"

"Our Hearth, Kerri, can show you how to make a similar treat, if you like. They are called buckeyes."

He ponders this "This knnowledge of the buck eye, am .. am I allowed to share this lore with my amigas and amigo? And perhaps the cooks at Fenix?"

"For that permission, ask Kerri."

Holger nods "I will, Mountain. I will ask the Hearth and see if she will share the secret of the Buckeye, not just with me, but others in Fenix. And if she says yes, we shall share in the happiness this buckeye brings"

"A noble effort, Holger."

"De nada, it is you who told me of it. Gracious. Besides, everyone should share if they can" FIrm nod

"I agree."

"Do you have other questions from your reading?"

"Si" he nods "The Code of Dagda... it is.. well, apparently some see it differently from others. Of who is your superior, over what an honorable surrender is.. the seelie and unseelie trolls, even trolls who are of the same court, they do not always agree. What..." He says brow kniting "Which way should I read it to be the best man I can grow into?"

"The way you can read it, live with it, and become it."

"And you won't know that till you try it." He adds.

"But, that means I will likely get it wrong the first time and .. getting it right is muy importante" a look of moderate alarm, which on a troll can say a lot

"It gets easier." Frank says "Eventually."

"The older you are, the easier it gets?"

"You will take some hits. Regrets. Disappointments. And you will live, and learn."

"But no. It does not get easier. You just get used to it."

His brow scunches, "I do not mind if I take the hits. I just don't want the others to"

"That is very Trollish."

"Gracious"

"De nada."

"Who taught you to be a troll?" Curious

A gentle movement of the beard. "I learned on my own."

He nods "That is hard. THere were trolls at Summerstyke's holding but ...well, they didn't teach being a troll to me. The Baron only had three lessons. Be seelie, Be obedient, do not rock the boat"

A deep sigh. "I regret this was an early lesson for you."