#anywhere

She lets it go

Jaymes moves to Dagmar and gives her a side hug then lets her go

"I think we can agree that we'll happily take more another time," Sylvi offers as an olive branch.

"Lovely" Tove nods

appeased

Quick hugs, balanced with bags.

Sylvi takes some bags to facilitate hugs.

"I'll wait outside," she says, taking some of the bags with her. "Bye, Uncle Jaymes, Aunt Tove! Bye, CJ!"

"Safe journey" Jaymes says

"Yes, say hi to Symon for us" Tove nods

"Bye guys. Probably home Friday."

"BYE!" CJ waves

"BYE!"

"FRIDAY!" CJ echoes

"Friday!" A promise, and she heads out after Sylvi.

"Whew!" Sylvi says as they go to load stuff in her clunker of a car. "They sure do the departing fanfare thing!"

"Right?" Hmph. ("Such a display.")

"It's kinda corny...and kinda nice." Stuff gets loaded in the car, and then they both climb in. "So...about Goldfinch...."

"Yeah, what's going on there?"

"It's...well...okay, don't be mad, but I feel like you need to get some balefire time before we head back. You're getting a little worn thin."

She bristles a bit.

"I mean, not really bad. Otherwise your folks would have noticed."

"I'm okay enough."

"Just, you know, no May."

"Oh, sure, no question! You could manage for a while more yet. But...why not get a little bit more in the tank while we're here?"

She drives through town. "Heard from her at all?"

"She sent a letter to the house."

"Yeah? A letter? Crazy old fashioned."

She parks in front of the studio. ((Gone to Goldfinch))