#anywhere

"She didn't know?" Bachdion smiles

"More like no need to make a fuss" the troll says

"I want to go to some with Mama and Papa..."

"mmm? you mean some college nearer to Scarsdale?" Bachdion says to make sure.

"Well... Vassar is an hour away. Purchase is one of the closer choices. There are a few in the city..."

"Well, we've done Purchase so... to the city, pardon me..." He circles them three times and... they find themselves at one of the city locations

It is only the second - the City is cold and grey and windy, with NYE detritus still straggling in the gutters.

"Careful,pink elephant... their spray can be intoxicating" Bachdion motions them out of the way of a chimera

Zara's hand seeks Earl's. "Aye... fair amount of my kind here. Fair amount of all kinds, truth..."

"Also hard spots of banality and autumn people too I'm afraid," Bachdion says cautiously "New York New York, where Dreams hide behind every street lamp and dream slayers roam with cold despair. Guess the population is the chief thing.... but you could manage it I am sure"

And yet there are crowds... packs of people form rapidly and carry others with them in their tide.

A soft hiss and she sidles close to the buildings... seeking shadows and respite. "Aye. I know."

"I could stay home and take the train in..."

Earl starts to shelter her without thinking about it, acting as a barrier. "Yes, I suppose, but how's their library program here?"

"Columbia? It's an Ivy..."

"in short good" Earl blushes "Sorry."

Bachdion says "I find it refreshing..." He notices a young man and woman with tight winter clothes walk by "Can't argue with some of the sights"

She scowls as she's bumped into by a hurried pedestrian.

"Hey.." Earl says but the New Yorker is already gone.

"you okay?" The troll looks to her.

She sighs. "There are always so many people..."

"Something to take into account," Bachdion says

The deeper they get into campus they get, the more promise it shows, but still crowds

"It is nice, but...."

"But?"

Bachdion says

She tosses up her hands in an all-inclusive gesture of frustration.

Earl smiles, "It's okay, Take your time. Sir Bachdion has us covered."

"How can anyone be here all the time?"

Bachdion says "Oh every campus of certain size is a community into itself. Some girls have special interests, or you could try the Sororities"

Earl gives Bachdion a look like he's nuts at the mention of Sororities "I don't think ..well, I'm sure there are exceptions to every rule but I don't see it"

"I am not joining a sorority."

"Well, there are other social outlets, but as a satyr I thought It only fair I mention the 'Greek' alternative" The Grump smiles

They do check out the library, but much to Zara's annoyance, while it has a fine selection and history, there's a lot of CHATTER at certain parts of it. And beeping from smart phones.. and well, noise.

"The college is huge, the library seems immense. I'll give Columbia this, it doesnt' do small" Earl admits

Zara sort of shrugs and sort of nods, but mostly looks miserable.

A satyr guy at one crowded table, looks up, and says to the crowd, "Hey, guys, let's quiet down a bit..." / His mortal Friends seem surprised that HE is telling them to quiet down, but do so. It helps, a little. Looks like at least there are some kithain here who try.

Earl shoots the Satyr a grateful look and moves on with her

A tiny smile for the satyr.

Bachdion says "Makes me proud of my kith sometimes " The satyr gent makes a note of the young fellow as they move on. Columbia is rich in history, and Zara learns much to explore, but it's just..too big, a city in itself. And they find themselves weaving around a protest in one area ...apparently protesting capitalism, Cops, and cultural appropriation... all at the same time. "I think their message would be stronger if they did one at a time" Earl says as they weave around

"Aye... though there's glamour in it, nu?"

"I suppose your'e right, they certainly had energy.." He makkes a note "Maybe I should try to paint a protest- of course, I'll probably turn them into cannibals"

"Oh, you're bad..." A poke.

"It is pretty. The city has energy, and secrets. It's.. the city is winter, I think, even were it July."

"Not that you mind my winter clothes, I think..." A gentle hip-bump.

"Aheh" Earl is blushing "I think we've determined I like you in all seasons" A nod "Might be more a place to be a tourist than a student though, you don't seem to like the crowds"

"I do not...."

"Another place, please, Sir knight" Earl asks the grump

"This way then..." Bachdion takes a bit of dross and leads them through a door to go in, but not come out of...

Another college, but even as they arrive, there is a chill to it