#anywhere

"And Sam"

He turns, hand going to a pocket in reflex.

Should they turn, they see a surprised Piskie that they know from High school

"Jimmy?" Symon blinks.

"You remembered my name" he looks relieved "Are you guys considering Rutgers too?"

"Hey, Jimmy!"

Brow furrow. Nod.

"Kind of intimidating, isn't it?" he asks

NOD.

Her emphatic nod, by troll standards, seems to reassure Jimmy that he is not alone in that "I feel like a kid in the grown up lunch line" A confession "But it IS cool. The facilities here are really good"

"What are you in for?"

"The gym is massive."

"I'm going to be a nurse" he answers "Like my grandma" Despite the fact it's not considered the most masculine profession for a guy, and he just mentioned his grandmother as a role model, he puffs up with pride like he was joining the marine corps

Which, Symon probably knows enough what Nurses have been through Covid to realize that the marines might be easier. At least they're allowed to shoot back when attacked

"I've heard it's a good program here." SUpportive.

"Thanks, Sam" He nods "What about you guys?"

"Hey, yeah. You'll be in some of the same classes I am, I think. Or at least the same wing. Medical."

She rubs the back of her neck. "Undecided."

Jimmy nods at Symon "I'll probably be callilng you doctor one day then. Cool" And despite Sam's uncertainty he seems to approve "SO many options I know. And if the Gym seems massive to you, it would probably LOSE me."

"That's because too many programs want her." Symon adds, bluntly.

"I mean, yeah, I have two different athletic offers, but I haven't even started on a major..."

"Lots of folks don't for the first year I hear. " Jimmy nods, agreeing with Symon "Liberal arts or Poli sci then they switch and with no harm."

"Yeah. They said I can take gen eds to start..."

"Cool" he brightens "You guys getting a dorm on campus? I'll be staying with my grandma. She lets me use her car"

Fidget.

"We were talking about one of those apartments off campus - dorms, well, we couldn't since Sy's a boy..."

"Nice. Better than worrying about getting hooked up with some stranger who won't understand... " He leaves the part 'that we're changelings' unmentioned

"Yeah, there's a complex just walking distance I wanted to look at. It wouldn't be so bad, even in winter. Or there are some rooms for rent in share houses..."

She nods. "Be easier, with someone who gets it. Exactly."

He looks over at Sam, then back to Symon "Long as it has some head room. No offense"

Snort.

"We can cut out the lintels." Symon says with a smirk. "Hopefully they're not structural."

A grin "hopefully" A nod "my grandma's place is old but cozy. SHe doesn't like the steps so I have a room up stairs. You guys are welcome to come by anytime. I know your'e not social butter flies so no worries if that's a nope, but I also know sometimes having a stop over point helps"

"How's the old lady doing?"

At that he sighs "She's not as strong as she used to be. After her last time in the hopsital she needs more rest. It's cool and thank god she's still smart as a whip, but I do worry" He admits "That's one of the reasons I'm staying with her. I'll be helping her out. " He pauses "I was thinking of specializing in senior care"

"Hey, it's a recession proof industry. Mine too. Mortuary science. Never gonna run out of patients, right?"

A smile at that, weirdly "Yeah, though you understand if I rather she ends up in my industry a long time before she gets in yours right? "

"Right." A thin smile. "I can wait."

"Thanks" A bit dryly but not truly offended then "How's are your fams? " He asks both

"My parents are... somewhere... around here."

"They survived the financial aid meeting."

Symon fidgets a bit. “I uh, didn’t tell them yet.”

Dag's eyes widen.

"You didn't TELL them?" A pause "Dude, I know you're a private person but.. don't they need to know?"

"Well, I figured... I'd see how things looked, first? Right?"

Withdrawn a bit at the sudden scrutiny.

Dagmar's hand drifts to her mouth, and she's chewing on a knuckle.

"I figured I could sign up, and then tell them. Less conversation, uh and stuff that way. It's my choice, after all, isn't it?"

She nods, despite slipping into one of her anxiety tells.

"Like, I don't want Dad to get into his "I told you sos" and "Well then why don't you go to Harvard, and insist that he can help pay for it... and Ann Marie might get all fussy about me leaving..."