#rivervale_lodge

"We did," Brekke agrees with Siv. Then she pauses and gives her daughter a second look.

"Yes, and I'm not telling" Vali adds with a smile "Not on Beltaine anyway"

Siv seems to be putting on a good smile, but mother intution might clue that the girl is awfully THOUHTFUL for Beltaine

Piper ponders, then takes a glass of half-n-half purple and red, with a grin. "That reminds me, I have an amphora that magics wine into interesting effects. I haven't tried them all yet, though."

"Hmm. Piper, Vali, excuse us. I am stealing my daughter away from you both for the moment." And she beckons Siv to follow her a bit away from the center of the party.

"Ah. okay.." Siv says but ggoes along with her mother cautiously "Did I tell a lie or something and not know it?"

"Oh..." She watches them go, and then makes small talk with Vali until Siv returns.

A blink of surprise. "No." Then.... "Well, perhaps a smile that is not truly felt may count as an untruth?"

Kerri is replenishing some platters one table over. "Nice touch with the drum earlier, Piper."

Mother and daughter move further away, down closer to the boathouse. "Siv," Brekke asks, "Is something wrong?"

"I... " Siv says "Jus been a bit a .. just a bit selfishly preoccupied mom, and tryinng to sort things out. I..." She says "It's rather unfair to dampen your beltaine cheer"

"Mmph," Brekke sounds mildly put out by that suggestion. "Tell me." She puts a reassuring hand on Siv's shoulder.

"Did something happen?"

"More like I don't know ... I don't know why I'm here sometimes. I mean, I love it here. It's home. It's my home port. But.. when troubles arise, I'm the last onen anyone turnns to for help. Seems they'll use Gerd's flicker flash afore they ask for my ship. When one of our own, al ittle cenntaur, gets endangered, I learned it from Zane not you folks. When it came time to gather into about it, folks seem to forget I'm able to investigate ... right now, Baron Kealan has given me mroe duties than you or dad have. I patrol, of course. And take my turn at cleaning and so... but.. I don't know. I just feel like...you guys love me, but you don't seem to have much USE for me. I'm feeling really weird about this. Like.. I never thought I was as duty bound as some trolls? But the idea of being less of use or having no purpose at all is... it makes me feel like I'm failing somehow."

Brekke blinks and then stares at her, but she's clearly rewinding recent events in her memory. A few moments pass silently.

"I know I'm a knight errrant, and truth, If I were too bound I'd fuss about that too. But ..earlier today I offered to watch the festiviites so you grand dames and graybeards could.. have a few hours with your loved ones. Dad.... Da just said "If we find ourselves in need, I will be sure to call on you." add. .I thought I settled with insecurities. Only.. boom, that phrase... 'If we find ourselves in need'.. and I guess it was hard not to hear it as 'you're not needed'"

Another blink...and a bemused grin, coupled with a bit of color in her cheeks. "Ah. I see. Siv, I...think you may have misinterpreted that last part, at least." She clears her throat.

"That's what Jonas said.. well, actually his words were "You're attributing indifference to your father unfairly." and then Piper said I'm your daughter, of course you gguys NEED me just no right now." A fond smile "they're rightt... but .. head.. heart. " A sigh

"Well, ah..." Another throat clearing. "To that point, it is more that we did not need the time alone just at that moment. We...ah...already took advantage of some time." Oh, high color indeed, and it's only on Beltane where Siv's mother might speak so openly. And it may occur to Siv that Brekke is no longer wearing the armor sections she was wearing before, only the court garb. She slipped away to change...and apparently had help.

"OH!" and she hugs her mom "Oh my goodness! Lovely! I am so glad. You two don't get near enough couple time what with all the owrk you do and his long trips and your duties..."

And just like that her daughter is quite sincere in smiles!

The hug is returned. "It may have been a bit selfish, but it did not interfere with my duties at that moment. But...to the rest...." her expression grows more serious, and she puts both hands on Siv's shoulders, holding her gently at arm's length. "Siv...I did not realize that you have felt this way. I thought you wished...well, to determine your own role, set your own course. I have been offering you space...I did not mean to turn it to neglect." Concern.

"Well, that's just itt. I feel like a hypocrite. Almost go an offer from Baroness Coradel to swear to her, and I'm all 'no no..thank you' when it's a great honor. And then suddenly I'm here and i'm like freesailing and such, only to wonder if I'm a mooch? "

"That is something you are not. You have undertaken tasks without need to be instructed. You have seen opportunities to help...and then done the helping. You, my daughter, are no 'mooch,'" Brekke declares firmly.

"Well, with your permission, I'd like to nose around on this Centaur napper. Just find innformation and report back. Maybe have Symon's help if he's game?"

A brow, and a slow nod. "This may be wise. Likely more effective than me trying the same. Come...return to the party and your loves for now, but we will speak more on this later, yes?"

"Yes" A BIG Hug "And mom, never be ashamed of taking time for you and da. It's no one else's business I know and your'e private, but never be ashamed of it. Okay?" A SQUEEZe and off she goes

She gets squeezed back (carefully) and then released. Brekke takes a moment to enjoy the view of the festivities from a distance, and then returns to the party as well.

And other stories unfold at beltaine

... like Dagmar catching up with news of how the horses at Silverwolf are doing from Nadeen

How Connor gets to coax Lily out of the stable roof

she's clung to it like a june bug

......

"Okay, your mom's Beltaine Buritos have this latina's official approval" Lupe wipes her lips

Nadeen guzzles milk to deal with the spices from it

"Tove's the best."

"Plus, you know she met your mom, right?"

"Oh right" A smile "Puerto Rican cuisine appropriated" Lupe acts all agahst

"It's still part of the United States, nnont sure you CAN Appropriate it" May throws in

"oh crap. She knows geography." Lupe says "Fine"

"Well, more exchange."

"My mom showed your mom her buttermilk chicken batter."

"THAT'S where she... oooo I am so going to tell her I know" Munch

May smiles "My mom got this carrot salad thing? It's actually NOT bad"

"I think the moms, like, hang out sometimes."

"I try not to think about it," Lupe admits "So weird"

'Right?"

In fact, there may be some mom-collaboration going on at the very moment -- Kerri and Tove seem to be comparing notes on a particular dish.

"Can you change the cheese on that without hurting the flavor?"

"I think it would depend on the cheese, wouldn't it," Kerri considers. "Did you have one in mind?"