#anywhere

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Meanwhile, at a house less spoken of in song and story but in the Rivervale area...."And I am terrified of what I've heard about the risks you took, young man. Now it was heroic, and I know you're probably sweet on Dagmar, she's a lovely girl... but I think it's time we find you some creative and social outlets that are little less dangerous. Now you know I want to honor your heritage" she gives a proper Korean bow (possibly several decades out of style) "but also your youth. SO... " She hands him a flyer "Here you go"

A K-Pop club? Not like, a building where it is performed, but a group of K-Pop fans … in Jersey?

He sputters, unable to speak in protest let alone refute those vile, base accusations, and shakes the paper at her instead. And then, glancing down at the paper, his expression turns to... befuddlement. "Uh. Um. What?"

"Oh K Hop too..." SHe says "you can invite your friends, they don't have to be Korean to join the club... and you'll have fun. "She swivels her hips a bit "Op, op, op, op
Oppa Gangnam Style"

Hell. This is hell. Finally it makes sense. "I died. I was killed by the bug man, and this is the eternal torment that awaits me..." His whispers to himself as he stares at the neon accented page.

BRIGHT wide smiles on hip young people moving to the neon luminated musical notes all around them

He grasps at excuses. "But, won't it be too loud for me? You know, and if they use fog machines, my lungs..." An examplary wheeze, "So sensitive."

"I know wilders need to act out now and then, but outlets like this are healthier.." She says "Oh, I thought of that, I brought you ear muffs" She pulls out some thing out "ta da" then she lowers her voice "I mean, tada"

He narrows his gaze, eyeing Anne Marie. Suddenly, wondering how much of what she is doing is truly her bubbly, obtuse, out-of-touch self, and how much might be a play as she punishes him.

"Now, I thought I could put the Korean flag on both muffs, tiny little flags on each. Maybe an American one on one side and the other South Korean?"

This... this is Dagmar's fault! No, it's Symon's fault, for ever thinking it was a good idea to get caught up in that sort of crowd. "Really, music isn't much my thing... you know, I do appreciate it though... uh, it's so nice of you to, um... look into this... maybe they have a, uh, p..poetry club instead?"

"Well, I know you're a sensitive soul and have a lot of poetry inside you, but I thought that might be too..insular? Baby I know you're starving for interacting with others. I remember when I was a wilder. I was lonely too. Sometimes I went a whole day without friends."

He raises a brow. "I find that hard to believe. I'm sure you went out and, uh." A sudden blank, as he realizes he really doesn't have a clue what it is that she does to occupy her time, other than 'um, boggan stuff, probably'. "Hung.. out?" He finishes weakly.

"Don't you worry about my troubles. I'm going to see you get the right soil to blossom into the happy young man you're meant to be. I really think you should consider this, otherwise I have to ground you the old less progressive way, trapped in your dark room when you're not at school for , like two days withonly books and things"

He flinches, ohhh no, not that... cruel, cruel fate.

Well. "You're right... but I would feel really embarrassed going there by myself - so many strangers... it's, intimidating." Eyes wide and nervous, pulling back shyly. "If only you could convince the other parents to let their kids go with, even though they are grounded, technically, just for one day... I would feel so much better about meeting new people." A solemn, hopeful nod. Misery loves company!

"I bet Eden would like it, too." He adds, thoughtfully... actually, who knows, maybe she WOULD.

"Well, gosh, I was hoping you'd make other friends, but... maybe a little direction for them all would do some good. I'll tell you what, I'll call the mothers at the lodge and see. and then... yes well" She's got that interested thought. Oh thank god, he just bought time. "Okay I'm going to think on this. You might have more fun with your social support group- I'm just glad you have one. THen you kids can all get your groove thang on K-Pop style...oop oop…" She moves on out.

Presumably to make some calls

Lovecraft eyes a curtain "with bit of work, could be a noose. Juuuust saying."

He slumps back against the wall, fluffy pink earmuffs dangling from fingertips as if it were, say, a bag of cat litter or something similarly unpleasant. "Keep it up, I can get a set of these for you too. Though, you're not wrong."

Lovecraft darts back from the pink things as if they might bite.

"Maybe some dye... or marker?" He considers the earmuffs, as he retreats towards the basement. At least in the dark, he can't SEE the pink. Tugging his phone from a pocket, he sends a quick group text to the girls (and Dirk and Zane, if he has their numbers... and if Dirk has a phone...) "Sry in advance. Ok sry not sry. you'll see." Ominous, perhaps! A smirk as he wanders down to the dark.

(End scene)