#rivervale_lodge

Imbolc is approaching Rivervale, and Serenity has a request of the Chief.

The Piskie has never matched Jimmy's 'extreme' knack for blending, but her time here has gone remarkably smooth after the initial bumps

Kerri hangs up her apron, having finished cleaning up after a savory pastry experiment is completed. "What's on your mind, Serenity?"

"Well," She says "as you know, I chrystalised on July 4th, 2024, more or less. And fledge ship, for some SILLY reason, is a year and a day. I was wondering if you would , as Chief, just... speed the process up? Get me sained and done before Imbolc?"

A serious look. "Well..." She takes a seat on one of the kitchen stools. "It's not unheard of, but it's extremely rare. And it's not entirely my say. I'd have to consult with a namer to see if you're ready, I think."

"Well, I've been a model fledge... even if Dirk gripes about me, and really, he's so.. DIRK, you know? And Jimmy says he's taught me all he knows about our kith. Anne Marie, pardon, Dame Anne Marie, has me set up nicely, and I know the escheat and stuff... so it's just logical to bypass the wait"

(Perception plus Empathy)

A slightly bemused look. "So far you've cited an endorsement from one wilder, complaints from another, and some (admittedly significant) training under a grump. And...you think this is sufficient."

"Dirk doesn't count" she huffs "I mean, Gerd complimented me just the other day."

"All right, so those even out." A measuring nod.

"I mean, mmost folks seem to think I'm fitting in great? And I always return the stuff I steal " To be fair, she has done that "And your whisk wasn't even dirty when i returned it"

"All true. But tell me...what's the rush?"

"No rush..." She says smoothly "just sensible"

/roll 7 explode

YUP. Despite her acting skills, Kerri can tell Serenity IS in a rush, and is not being logical save in serving her interest. Something got to her.

"Hm. Try again."

She winces "I used to be good at acting" Serenity sighs "Fine. I'd like to be one of the firebrands that carries the balefire here but apparently that's not for fledges, and I can't walk trods yet unsupervised and all sorts of stupid stuff. Dirk says I'll hurt myself, and it's okay to wait till I... grow up." An indelicate snort and narrowed eyes at that term. It's obvious that Serenity is sweet on Dirk, and thus his words carry more punch than she ever wants to admit. Dirk being dirk probably didn't mean it as a personal slam , any fledge might be told the same... but Serenity's dander is up and her pride pricked

"I see. And why is being a firebrand this year so important to you? Why not wait until after next Imbolc?"

"It'll prove I'm not some 'kid' to ... " a beat "everyone. And besides, while I'm done being on camera, the dresses are really rather stylin"

Kerri tilts her head a bit. "Serenity, if you want to be sained early in order to 'prove' something to somebody else...then you're not ready to be sained. In my opinion."

"But that's not fair!" She blurts, then ..winces "Okay, probably not the most mature protest. But .. seriously? Is the wait THAT important?"

"Yes. For a few reasons. One, it's tradition. For creatures like us, born of ancient stories, we thrive on tradition. Furthermore, it teaches patience, and trust me, you'll need plenty of patience in our world. Finally...you're not ready, especially to be a firebrand."

"OUCH" She blurts "ESPECIALLY to be a firebrand? Why not? Why especially not that?"

"Because being a firebrand is NOT all about the pretty outfit. A firebrand is entrusted with a lantern of balefire, and it must be delivered safely. Firebrands are hunted for that sacred treasure. It's not uncommon for them to fall victim on their way, and their balefire to be lost to unknown assailants. So, it's dangerous for you, and it's dangerous for the 'hold that would end up with a weak balefire because you got assaulted, possibly killed. Possibly worse." It's all said with a quiet but firm intensity. Then a pause. "You're not ready."

Serenity looks for a moment like she might cry, her jaw sets ,and she .. flees the room

possibly to avoid further embarrassing herself.

Kerri sighs, but doesn't go after her.

"That looked rough" A voice she knows well, her husband. Olgar may have come in from the kitchen and not been noticed while the other two were in the main area, "I didn't hear it all, but it sounds like that cup of truth went down a bit bitter for her. Are YOU okay, babe?"

Kerri looks over at him and gives a shrug. "I'm fine. But I think I need to have a chat with Dirk."

"Oh?" He looks curious "What about?"

"Well, Serenity's under the impression that she doesn't measure up, or that she's got something to prove. She spends a lot of time with Dirk, so I'm hoping maybe he can give me some insight. I mean, it's not a very uncommon feeling for a fledge to have, but...this seems more like a reaction to something specific." Another shrug. "Just a hunch."

"The fact that she's going for him like princess on a bad boy?" he raises a brow then smirks "I'd say I know how that works, but you might resent being called a princess"

A grin. "I might resent it, but you sure do treat me like one."

"I mean that in a good way."

"Well, you may not be big on titles, but you're MY queen, and a lot better than those stick figures with crowns" a snort and smile "Yeah, she's got it bad for him and is in denial. .. and he's either unaware or shutting her off to be honorable it, but would resent being told he's honorable"

A chuckle. "Of course. Well, as you are the present spokesperson for the male contingent, what do you think? Should I clue him in on what everybody else is seeing?"

"I don't know. Guys do not always get the clues women think are obvious, at least not young women and young guys. You sometimes need to be blunt with us. On the other hand he's just as likely to go into denial or back away from her to protect her and resist temptation and if he does that you WILl be the bad guy for Serenity"

"Hmph." She taps her finger on the table next to her. "Well. I guess I'll have to play it by ear."

"Did you want me to talk to him about it? YOu've got me beat in charm and people skills but he might take it better from a guy" A pause "But before that, what DO you want him to do about it? "

"I'm not sure I want him to do anything about it. Mostly I'm just looking for information right now. And while I appreciate the offer, no, I'd rather do it myself. I don't want things to get to be too much of a game of telephone with 'he told me this' and 'she told me that' in increasing chains."

"Heh, good point" he nods "Okay. In the mean time, you want me on the grocery fetch duty or shoveling snow?" He pops over her shoulder "Unless you have more primal needs that I should tend to?"

With a grin, she leans back into him and turns her head for a briefly indulgent kiss.

He savors it, returning it with a delight that never seems to fade with the years

"See, I like that better than shoveling snow" An admission

She pats his shoulder and pulls away. "Well, primal will wait until later. For now...snow for you, redcap for me. And if you see Serenity, maybe see if she'll vent to you. She'll need to blow off some of that mad."

"Noted. Because I love you, I'll even remember to take my snow boots off before I trod all over the lodge after"

"Because you love me, and because you have a strong sense of self-preservation." She gathers up her coat and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek before giving him a wink as she leaves.

"Yeah, but mostly the love!" he calls after , then to himself "mostly."