#rivervale_lodge

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Siv looks at the fire, roaring loud and proud.

"Dad? " She looks over "Having a good imbolc?"

"Mm?" Frank glances over from his seat, and nods.

"You?"

"mmm Good ... liked the family and singing. I am.. thinking of hittingg gold finch. Piper will be here, but I don't want to be rude"

"Siv, no one expects you to stay here all night; if you wish to go to Goldfinch, go."

"Sure it won' hurt any one's feelings?"

"Pretty sure."

Vali clutches at his heart, feigning injurry

"Serves you right for eavesdropping, Mountain" Siv huffs then sighs "if it really bothers you..."

Vali laughs "no . I'm good thanks. Have fun. Wish the gang there a happy Imbolc"

"I will" Siv says then kisses her father's cheek "Love you, Dad. "

"Love you too, Ff... Siv."

(A father's habits...)

She chuckles "you can say it, think of it as a Imbolc treat if you like"

"It's enough to think it. Have fun, Siv."

"you too" And out she goes

Vali comments "your daughter is getting eager for adventure again, I think"

"Mmphm."

"I sometimes think she gets the wanderlust from you," he sips "you sticking around fforr a bit?"

"Not much longer, no. With the weather and all, I took a little break but... time to get back to work."

"mmm" he nods "Any idea where the next job will take you?"

"South; Into Willows, down in Georgia."

He nods, is thoughts flowing almost visible "Careful, Meilge's reach is long"

Why he would feel the need to name the king of the willows is hard to say

Frank frowns a bit, but nods.

"thanks." A pondering "Going solo on this one?"

"So far."

A nod "Okay. "

At this point, Alisa comes up with refills for their drinks "thank you for letting me take part in this, Sirs"

the sidhe has given almost zero trouble as a fledge, which might make most grrumps nervous

"You're welcome, Alisa... this is a common right to all Fae." Frank says "Imbloc celebrates the return of light to the world. We could all use a bit of that."

"I'm starting tto see. I... was hoping maybe if there's anoher patrol I coudl take it up?" She looks a both of them "Since I couldn't ggo into the dreaming?"

"You and 2 other fledges nearly died from a killer reigndeer nightmare" Vali reminds "And defeated it"

"the winged wolves defeated it" She sighs

"And it doesn't count unless the final sword stroke was yours?" Vali says

"Welll uhm.." the wilder squirms "I ... I would have shared the gglory with Audrey and Nolan"

"I'll do a few more patrols before I go over the road. Be happy to have you with me on them."

"Oh thank you, Sir King. I won't let you down" She assures

"I know." in a kindly tone.

And eagerly she heads back to get other trolls their drinks

Vali watches her go "She's..eager"

"Energy of youth."

"mmp. I'm a grump now, why must young people act with energy to remind me?" but he smiles

"Annoying, isn't it?" not without humor.

that gets a deeper chuckle "It is. Ah well. Life's circle"

Frank lifts his mug. "And the return of the light."

"And the return of the light" He raises his own

"How's the family?"