#anywhere

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After school, Symon picks up his pace a bit to catch up with Lucia as she walks down the sidewalk. Huff, huff. He loosens the fluffy scarf throttling his neck and wheezes as he catches his breath, “Huff... huh.... hey, hey, Lucia? You got a minute?”

Lucia turns and says "Sure? Hey, are you okay? you look like you're about to fall over"

He catches up and holds a finger as he breathes for a moment. “It’s just this damn cold air. I’m okay. Listen, you have a minute to talk? We can go to Sunbucks for a drink, my treat.”

"Sureeee? " She says accepting but cautious, "Is Dirk hunting you or something?"

He blinks, then gives a wry grin. “Not today. I think I managed to get him at least a C on that quiz we just took, so I have leeway for a couple days.” Pushing open the door to the coffee shop, and peering across the others inside before holding it for Lucia. “Nah, I wanted to see if I could dish with you on something I overheard at school.” Lovecraft squeezes past his legs, unseen by most, into the coffeeshop.

"Dirk got a C? Wow. High water mark for him" She goes in, the shop "Sure..." And she takes a corner area away from most so they can talkk without much trouble

He gets himself a cup of tea and whatever Lucia wants for her as well, and settles into the corner booth. “Well, you see, you know Whitney? Gymnastics team, chilly bitch, mom that’s even worse? If you’ve walked past her even you’d know her from the autumn breeze. I overheard her talking to Britney earlier today...” and relates the conversation he listened in on, regarding Siv.

She thanks him, "Sorry, got so eager for the gossip I forgot to get in line. Thanks for picking that up for me" Then a frown "Whitney is borderline autumn, and her mom is evil yeah." Agreeing then the story goes in, "Those horrible monsters"

He nods. “Yeah. So... I was thinking.” He leans in closer, whisper quiet. “If there was, maybe.... something they had to hide. Some... secret, an embarrassment perhaps, they wouldn’t want known...” he trails off, dark sunken eyes gleaming a bit with eagerness. “Then I could twist their arms a bit until they wouldn’t dare try to talk shit about one of ours.”

A moments thought and he adds. “Or Just Whitney. Britney might not be such a bitch without Whit-less egging her on.” He admits.

She listens then... 'Well, we can't let them hurt Siv, but why not just tell the.. oh right, if we tell the trolls they'll be too direct no doubt. Even Sylvi at times."

"You think between the two of us we can uncover dirt, is that it?"

“Yeah, Dags would pulverize their faces, and get expelled or something dumb.” He nods to Lucia. “I can check their lockers.... from the inside.” He smirks a bit. “And I bet I can get into their phones too if I can get a hand on them. If you could do the social rounds, I think we’d make a good team.”

"Almost as good a team as you and Zane?" A pause "And I suspect Dir?"

He blinks a bit, and blandly says, “I was just along for kicks....” but his gaze seems a bit more considering, and perhaps impressed. “Detective (lastname).”

"Hardly, three of you all play hookey on the same day? Saytrs end up pink? at a public game? Wasn't Eden."

“No, she...” he pauses, blinking owlishly, then a slow, rueful grin. “Eden! I bet she was behind that....” he muses to himself. “If I’m right, she was involved too.... I think it may have been HER hair dye...”

"It was, but not this time..it was her's on DIrk's..meaning, Dirk used it. But who woudl put Dirk up to that? Seriously, Symon, you might as well put on a monocle and start stroking Lovecraft. You're screaming Bond Villain"

Lovecraft, meanwhile, has set up a perch on the condiment stand. Whenever someone reaches for the creamer, she gives their hand the slightest of swats, causing the pitcher to slosh as the muggles feel a hint of her presence. Lick, lick, lick. Mmmm. It’s good to be bad.

He ducks his head a bit, hair falling over his eyes and hides a small grin. “Well, I’ll take it as a compliment. Does that mean you’ll help?”

"of course , I'll help," She says "the trolls need us."

He offers her a hand to shake. “Then the pact is sealed.” He intones portentously.

"Again with the villain talk" she smirks "Okay. Now, dirt is not hard to get. You're good with computers right?"

He gives a thumbs up. “I have an idea, I’m gonna see if I can pick up a fingerprint from their lockers and use it to open their phones.” A pause. “Less messy than acquiring their fingers...”

"You need a finger print? I can help you with that"

He blinks at her, and tilts his head a bit. “How can you manage that?” Thinking a minute. “If they don’t leave their phones in lockers, They’re both in Sir Vali... er, Mr. Gardener’s... French class. He miiiiight be willing to confiscate their phones for texting in class until end of school day...” scratching his head a bit as he ponders - with his greasy hair, it almost looks as though he might have critters. Ugh.

"Petition" She says "Shove a piece of paper in her face."

"Or let me do it."

He nods. “Whatever works.” Sipping at his weak tea. “Once we get... hopefully get... the dirt, I can do the twisting. Keep you clean. Having a nasty rep for me is a good thing, keeps folks away, but I know you’re good at the close work.”

"I'll handle the petition, no offense, if you handed her one, she might not even touch it"

He looks proud of this, a bit. “And I’ll check their lockers. I think I can pick the locks easy, or slip through the vents... maybe. They might have, like, a diary, or burn book in there.”

"I think she's sneer at diaries, but maybe." She ponders

"How soon do you need the thumbprint?"

(Eep!) A soft wrap of fingertips on the tabletop. “Sooner rather than later... not sure how quickly they want to take action on their bitch scheme.”

"Point. I can get it in 24 hours or less."

He nods. “I’ll check out their lockers in the meantime. And, uh. Thanks.”

"no problem, and don't worry, I'll try not to tell everyone that you're actually one of the good guys" A smile,and she rises.

He snorts. “You’d not survive the night.” A quick grin, reassuring her.... perhaps.”

A roll of her eyes, and coffee in hand, she heads off to get that fake petition ready

He watches her go, thoughtfully, and waits until she’s down the block before heading out in the opposite direction.

(End Scene)