#bergen_county

"He's an obnoxious little racist, but his heart is not all bad" The older man says "Just don't pick up any more please. Our own son and Dirk are enough mmm? You take too much on yourself as it is." A serious look, "I do not like people taking advantage of you, Anne marie"

"I don't mind." She says

"I do." A determined set to the doctor's jaw.

"mm no wonder you get Dirk. You're both Terrible bullies." She kisses her husband's cheek.

He sighs "You could at least pretend to b e in awe of my masculine energy, my wife."

She smiles and whispers in his ear "Oh... I'll be surrendering to your masculine energy tonight."

"Ahem.. well.. " He almost blushes despite his age, "Very good."

Anne Marie beams but does not say more. Some folks will never understand why she married her husband. But some folks can't see the obvious.

...................

Zane's phone buzzes...

TXT: _You've got info I want, Mister! 😉 _

Zane looks at it. Unware he is in trouble ..then he looks at it.. and wonders if perhaps, this is a trap? No, it can't be. There's a winky face.

TXT: _Well, okay.. you want it in inches or centimeters or should I just send the pic? 😉 _

TXT: LOL Doofus, I want to know about a certain event that seems to be happening that I haven't been told about!

THAT raises a brow, wwarning signals...but mom said to live in the now, not worry about the future right? Course, she may not have meant don't worry about the next 30 seconds?

TXT: Pennons is every year

A pause.

TXT: You think you can't trust me. Us.

TXT: Wait. hold up. Just what event are we talking about? he winces getting an inkling.

TXT: Rhymes with foaming.

for a moment, he thinks about getting clever, but .. then again, since when does that work?

TXT: Where can I meet you guys?

TXT: Lakeside, the pier. We're on our way.

He sighs.

TXT: As am I And off he trots. Satyr speed

..... LATER at the Lake.....

Zane actually beat them there.

And he waits with a box of chocolates. Is it cheesy? Mildly insulting? yes. Maybe itw ill save his furry ass? Also yes.

Sylvi strides out onto the pier, frowning. She means business.

Siv follows only a step behind, hand on her rapier quill

Dag pulls up the rear, not looking particularly ired.

"Hey, Dagmar" Adress the friendliest looking first, "Siv, Sylvi" He says

"Zane." Sylvi stops, crosses her arms, and taps one foot. "So. The Gloaming."

"You're missing a Please," Zane says. there is no none so brave than one who is doomed anyway "it's a good word, and I think it's nice if you use it"

"He's kidding right?" Siv blinks

Grunt. "You're made, Zane."

Oh, Sylvi's look is pure attitude. "Okay...PLEASE inform us why there's a party that every wilder seems to know about except us? PLEASE tell us why you, who we thought was our friend, left us out?"

"Thought was your... " He sigh "wow, really? Sass I get, but that's just mean. Fine, since you did say please, however insincere, the Gloaming is a gather, happens sometimes once a week, other times more like once every two...depends on if we muster the goods and such. It's mobile, moves from different area to area... Kithain, Kinian... sometimes others enchanted. And while we uphold the escheat, we may not be as firm on some rules as the Chieftain would like. YOU guys are not left out because of anything wrong with you. But let's face it, your parents can be really into anything you do. Something you guys gripe about CONSTANTLy so don't blame me that we took you at your word."

Arms crossed in that pose meant to deflect the might of the snappy finger

Siv's nose is wrinkling at the arguement about parents being in their biz

Sylvi looks briefly stricken that Dagmar's suspicions were right. She doesn't say anything for a moment...then a frown. "You leave us out, then you get pissy that I'm upset when I find out? I'm not mean, I'm angry, and for good reason. Thanks for all the trust, Zane."

Zane says "Hey Siv, still got the GPS on your phone? Your mom still a Gwydion? " A glance to Sylvi, "Tell me, Sylvi, your dad still have eyes on every trod? Your mom still the nexus of all grump mothers around here?" A look over at Dagmar, "And Dagmar, we actually figured crowds might make you .. uhm nervous."

She shrugs. "Yeah, parties aren't much my scene."

"Figured." he says, then he looks at Sylvi and Siv "Waiting for an answer how 'trust' comes into play at hiding things from your parents? IT's not about either of you, it's about how close you are to THE Authorities and the eyes they have on you"

Siv winces and mutters to Sylvi "This is my fault. "

"But..." Sylvi starts, about to grasp at straws...but then she juts out her chin defiantly. "Fine. It's probably a lame party without us." She turns on her heel and heads back the way she came, easing past Siv and Dagmar on the pier.

A slow eyebrow. "You coulda made that better, Zane."

Zane rolls his eyes "I came here in person, and I get told I don't trust? I don't think I'm alone in coming at this wrong, Dags. " gritted teeth "And you know, none of you ASKED where the next one is. And no apology, because apparently MY fuzzy ass is the only person who hid it from you? Fine. Fine."

"Dude."

"Just sayin' you coulda said where the next one was, and let them figure out the risks. We're trolls."