#rivervale_lodge

So it is that DIRK comes in from a patrol, his red shit kickers cleaned off before he enters the lodge

It is later in the day, and Brekke is looking over some papers, updates from Caer Falken, and the such.

She looks up as the redcap comes in. "Ah. Dirk. Come in." She sets down her papers.

"Are you well?"

"Finne" Lie.. and frankly, that sets off her years as mother too

He does come in "Nothing really causing trouble near the lake patrol" True

"The troublemakers are aware of the local peacekeeping force, I believe."

"Have a seat, Dirk."

He takes one "Okay. Everything all right here?" At the offer to sit down he flumps on a chair

"Well...the party went well, I think. Do you agree?"

"Yeah, I guess." He shrugs "Kind of cool how CJ is already a pyro"

"That was, indeed, a surprise. There were several surprises, I think." She looks at him. "Am I right that you have something you wish to discuss?"

"Uh.. what?" A confused look

"You look like you have something on your mind. Something bothering you."

"Yeah, but.. "A frown " Idon't wanna talk about it" Truish? No, even he isn't sure

"Mm. Well, I do not mean to pry." A pause. "How did Prissy enjoy the party? Oh...wait...I apologize, she was not there, was she."

Dirk stiffens and he GLARES with open hostility

before realizing who he is glaring at, his eyes lower and he mutters 'No"

"She wasn't"

She frowns at that glare...but the frown eases as he minds himself. "Why is that? I had gotten used to seeing her at barony events."

"She's hanging out at Caeer Falken now" He shrugs "Got her own life I guess"

A furrowed brow. "Hanging out at Caer Falken? It is not a mall arcade, Dirk. What is she doing there?"

"Seeing some pretty boy elf" In anger, Dirk swallows a coffee cup and crunches it

She blinks. "Prissy...is dating...a sidhe?" She tries to keep the astonishment to a minimum.

"SOme Fiona... I think.. guess he wants to slum with us caps an she's fallin for him" Bitterness incarnate

He believes it, at least

"Are you saying she formally ended your relationship? In so many words?"

"She said she was going to be hanging at Caer Falken, things to do. So wouldn't be banging with me..." Dirk sighs "I miss the lovema-.. the sex" As if the first word is more embarrassing "Sh's got a room. Mom says it's her right, and I know that.. she's paid off her debt for trying to capture dad"

Brekke considers. "Do you know which Fiona she is seeing?"

"Sir Stevyn O'Kort'" he says

She's seen him, handsome, of course, bit of a fop but a decent bladesman. Never misses a proper ball

"Hm." She is properly puzzled by this. "Dirk...when she said she was leaving you...did you make it clear that you did not want her to? Or did you...shrug her off?"

"Olgar says wimmens bodys is their own and that's why masterbation is okay but don't make anything too sore" He blinks

Brekke colors and clears her throat. "I...cannot argue with Olgar's advice," she says tightly. "Yes, she has the right to choose what she wants...but she may wish to know that she is wanted in return."

"I tole her I LIKE the Sex"He says then looks embarrased "Once i told her I just liiked HER. YOu know? Probably a mistake"

Brekke looks serious and lets out a heavy sigh. "Then, Dirk...I do not know what else to advise...other than to seek her out one more time, and...ask her how you can win her affections again. It would require...humility."

"I got humlity coming out of my ass... I don't tell folks to fuck off when they pry into myu biz.. not too often, and I KNOW siudhe boys is better looking than me. How's a guy supposed to compete with Woobieless the Elf Prince?"

Brekke blinks. Woobieless? "Dirk...I sympathize. And I do not suggest that you pursue her beyond her wishes to be pursued. But...you have every right to happiness. And sometimes, claiming your happiness requires the bravery to face the seemingly hopeless obstacle." A pause. "Unless...perhaps I had better speak with Prissy. She has been a part of Rivervale. If she is departing, it is reasonable I should wish to know why, I think."

"THen she'll think I went whining to you" he says, not realizing he sounds a bit whiney as he says it

"But you did not."

"You can say it truthfully, as can I."

"Oh.. well.. if you want to... " And he admits "It's not that she' not worth fighting for. It's ... I think if I see this guy and her.. I think I'll lose it. I think I'll attack him. I think I'll hurt him. And would be fine, but not rfair to the lodge"

"I want to beat him, hard. I want to hurt him.. and I don't even know him... " The redcap admits "And that's not right to the lodge or you. What if i go and I see him and I lose it?"

Brekke nods slowly...and he may detect an unspoken approval at his restraint. But if so, she doesn't wish to embarrass him by saying it directly. "There is time yet in the day. I will go now and find out what I may. I will ask you to take another patrol this afternoon."

THAT is welcome "You got it. Don't worry, I won't use some stupid asshole as a punching bag for the crime of me being angry" True

"Good." A nod.

Then she looks up and towards the door, then back to the balefire, which has shivered and flared dramatically. She stands. "It may not be today, Dirk."

She is already heading for the door.

Dirk answers picks it up "Yeah?"