#anywhere

The next day comes around, and Piper tries another message.

Hey Siv! Just checking in. Maybe you're busy - can we connect?

Nothing

A frown, thoughtful. And a new text sent out.

Sylvi - hey girl! Getting good feedback on the chop job, thanks again. I was wondering if you've heard from Siv lately? I'm not getting a response but maybe she's just busy.

A few moments of texting bubbles....

Oh, I get that. LOL, wondered if I was being ghosted 😜 TY!

no kidding. some weird sort of tough-love therapy from t Chief? Can't say i understand, but im sure she knows what she's doing... u hear from Dagmar today? She seemed rough. Felt bad but i had A to look after, and am sure i wasn't the one she'd want to talk to anyway 😕

could you? im sure shes ok, she has her fam and social net and all that, but id feel better just if someone told me shes doin ok.

shaken up. think maybe he had a come to jesus moment and is starting to figure out some things. 🙏

A bit of a longer pause. (...) (...) (...)

not wrong. but all we can do is hope rite?

A pause in return.

And fifteen minutes later, Sylvi is stretching out a bit by a playground picnic table.

Piper joins her shortly after, trotting up. She has a fanny pack on and a water bottle, looking like she's out for a jog. "Hey girl, getting your tan on?"

Sylvi grins. "Heya. Yeah, it's all about the indigo. Ready?" She has water with her...and she's armed with both spear and Bowie knife.

"You came armed for bear I see. I just brought my feet which I trust to carry me away from danger. Or I suppose I could hopscotch a mugger up into a tree." Thoughtfully.

"Don't sell those skills short. I just like carrying my toys." She grins. "But I would not want to get kicked by a satyr, and cantrips are nothing to sneeze at."

"Maybe a beefier one. I have hooves, but not a lot of power behind them." A grin. "More useful for avoidance than confrontation. So, your patrols. Are you out looking for trouble? Or to ask people if all is well? O more to be seen so that folk KNOW there's a presence on the lookout?"

"Today, mostly the last two. We should take a run past the apartments, probably, stop in and check on things there."

"I haven't had a chance to text Dagmar yet. Think I should before we start out?"

"Um, up to you. Maybe don't mention me? I mean, don't lie to her, but." A shrug. "I don't want to escalate." Walking along with Sylvi. "I'm hoping to get moved in sometime next week, after school is over, if you're still available to help out. Well, it's more just moral support. I only have a few bags."

"Happy to help. Can mess around with paint and stuff too, if they let you do that there."

She has her phone out and starts texting Dagmar: Hey, you okay? Heard last night was rough, somehow?

"Oh, I hadn't even thought about decorating!" Her eyes shine with new ideas.

"Maybe a little housewarming party..."

Txt: I'm fine.

A curious glance over at the buzz on Sylvi's phone.

She looks at her phone. "Well...she says she's fine." A quick text back. K. On patrol. TTYL?

"And you totally need to have a party when you move in."

Txt: k

"Yeah! You can invite Colton if you like, too. There's a BBQ area, and it's in an inner courtyard so less likely to get flagged as a public gathering. Oh, and they're finishing up a POOL. I mean, the lake is great and all, but I can get up in the morning and do laps..."

"Girl! You're gonna be living the high life!"

"Maybe not the HIGH life." She chuckles a little sheepishly. "Auntie M shut me down hard over a little weed." A grin though, she knew what Sylvi meant.

A glance at the phone. "Ugh. Small k. Well...maybe she'll feel better later? I don't want to go over and prod at her if it's too soon. Maybe Nadeen...."

"Ha. Well, yeah, I mean, who needs it, right?"

"Yeah, I don't think she could possibly stay upset if Nadeen is around. She brightens up when that sidhe walks in as though the sun had just risen." A pause, thoughtful. "I wonder if there's a song in that. Maybe there could be."

Another quick text to Nadeen this time: "Dag's giving me the small k when I ask if she's okay. You check on her?"

Piper is humming to herself, muttering something under her breath - a tune in the works.

TXT: Tanya here.