#bergen_county

----------------

Outside of Adam's place, Zane is walking by, clacking fences with a stick.

He ponders pestering Adam.

But nah

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

Sylvi might find a redcap on patrol.

Sylvi knows where Dirk usually goes on patrol, so she starts there. And hey, get in a bit of a jog while she's at it.

Dirk walks by , devouring miss McGuillicuddy's mailbox

At least, what's left of it

"Dirk! Hey!" She slows and looks at the mangled metal. "Um...why?"

A red flag goes down and is swallowed "Why what?" Urp , and he wipes his lips.

"Why are you eating her mailbox?"

"Because eating her would upset folks. Duh" He rolls his eyes "You want something?"

A sigh. "You know...she's gonna expect the Chieftain to replace it, then next time she gets enchanted and remembers. Anyway...Wanna ask you something. You ever heard of the Gloaming?"

His brow knits "is that a chinese dynasty or vase or something?"

"No. Okay, I'm going to tell you, but you've gotta promise to keep it secret from grumps, okay?"

"If this is about something with Colton... I don't much care, just saying"

"It's not. You promise? Secret?"

"Why do seelie always do this shit" He sighs "does it like, Break the escheat or one of the Chief's rules?"

"Not in and of itself, no. Not as far as I know, anyway."

"Then I won't tell. now spill already" Dirk says

"Okay. Seems there's this party, this rave, that goes on around the barony, and it's called the Gloaming. Lots of wilders go to it...but it looks like none of the wilders connected to the Lodge have been told about it, because they're afraid we're too goody-goody and would say something to close it down."

"oh" He pauses then scratches his head . Processing something.

She waits.

"Well shit. I think I WAS at one, well, the end of it" He snorts "Didn't get invited or nothing. I stumbled onto it."

"Like a month and ah alf ago"

She blinks. "You...you were?"

"Yeah... well, there was A party with all these wilders... and kinain and shit... some chimera."

"But when Igot there, they broke it up fast.. saying it was just about to end. SORRY Dirk."

The last said as if miming something.

A sigh. "See? That clinches it. They left you out because they thought you'd mess with them."

"That's waht redcaps do.. .we mess with folks. I didn't see any of my kind there"

"That's not all you do. Okay, so...question: Would you want to go to a party like that. Just to have fun?"

A shrug "My idea of fun is different from most and most don't like it. Chief and Hearth are about theo nlhy ones that ever invited me into anything"

"Hey, I invited you to my birthday party," she reminds him. "And any time you want to do a makeover video with me, well, hell, I'm in!" A smile. "But this particular thing? We're going, and we want them to see that we're not goody-two-shoes, and that we can have fun just hanging out and dancing and whatever. I'm including you in the invite because I don't think it's fair to leave you out, but if you don't want to go, that's cool, too."

"Why are you nice to me?" The Redcap says confused "First time we met I was tormenting a toy to rile Zane and his sister... and you tricked me. Other times I wasn't much nicer. so .. llike..what the fuck?"

Sylvi blinks. She wasn't expecting that question. "Well...because...I guess because you're not that little kid anymore? And...well...I don't know. I don't remember why I decided to give you a chance. But...you know, I'm glad I did. You're okay. Weird and frightening and rude and stuff, but...you're okay."

A snort "I'm a monster...all redcaps are. You got no idea the dark shit what goes in my head. I ENJOY hurting folks, I like it when they piss themselves because they know I could rip their throats out. You sure you want me at a party where you want to have a good time?"

"Nope. Not sure at all. Still not right for you not to have the chance to decide for yourself. And if you do start hurting people for kicks...well, there's me and Siv and Dagmar all ready to make sure you cut that shit out." She smiles brightly. "Cuz that stuff we will stop."

"Besides...you know how often folks call my Dad a monster because of his face? Or they shun the Mountain because of his house? And besides...when's the last time you messed with somebody who didn't deserve it?"

He grins A bit "See... you guys threatening to stomp my ass because together your stronger and you want different things, THAT Makes sense. " At the talk of Olgar "But your dad is cool... only one brave enough to be unseele openly in that lodge..." Then blinking, he grows thoughtful as she asks him when the last time he messed with someone who didn't deserve it.

Processing.

processing.

She waits again.

Then he frowns "Shit. I need to go pick a fight with a stranger who wasn't DOING nothing..."

A sigh.

"Well, you know...whatever. If that's what you're into, just don't go too far. Don't kill them. And listen, don't mess with Adam. He pisses me off on the regular, but don't mess with him right now. Consider him off limits. I know, you could've done more to him now than you have, but just...keep not messing with him."

"Adam's a douche. He's got everything in the mortal world so thinks he should get everything in ours. If he can't be the hero, he doesn't want to play. Someonee SHOULD Kick his ass... but fine."

"Maybe someday I'll say different, but for now....well, I'm trying to give him a chance this time."

A grunt and a frown. Oh he doesn't like that comparison, but nods "Fine. But only because you asked, and Dagmar would defend him and I hate fair fights"