#bergen_county

"Ok. Spanish."

"Well... seeya."

"Ok. Seeya." Another beat, and he turns to go.

Halfway down the walk a soft groan, and he digs out his phone to text as he walks.

bzzt* Zane? You busy?

Bzzt Not too much what up?

*bzzt* Meet me in the Lodge parking lot?

Bzzt Sure, give me a few and I'll be there

*bzzt* Going to take me a bit too. Thanks.

It does take a 'bit' but Zane shows up.

Adam steps into the parking lot when he does. "Hey. Thanks." He heads to his car. "Give you a lift home."

"What's going on man, you ask me over just to head out? or is this.. sorry..I gave you guys some space. What happened?"

"Nah, it's cool. I walked her home but my car is here and I wasn't sure where the Lodge ends so... better safe than sorry. Thanks. "

"Ah, no big man. I think you put up harder barriers than there actually are sometimes but bonus points for you. So you walked her home? Sounds promising. Means a girl trusts you. Likes your company."

"Yeah." Casual.

"You're doing the emotional shut down thing again. " Zane observes after a bit.

A huff. "Am not. I like her. Just gonna see how it goes."

"That's cool. Dagmar's much less messed up than she has a right to be"

"Yeah." He's on the route to Zane's house.

They're approaching "Oh dude. I got a cousin here.. Piper, have you met her?"

"You mentioned her but no, haven't met her."

"Well, if you do, go easy on her. I don't know the story but the more I pry the more I get the vibe she's been through a rough patch"

"Not just her,, but yeah, I hear you."

"Dude? More trouble for you? I only left for an hour or two"

Worried look

A shrug. "Dude, no big deal. Just the usual. I'm getting used to it."

"I'm sure what the usual is... at least in this context"

Adam doesn't feel the need to comment.

Zane shrugs .

Adam pulls up to the curb. "Thanks for the help, Zane. Appreciate it."

"Not sure I helped much man, but you're welcome" He says "later"

and he steps out "Thanks for the lift"

And gone

Adam heads home. Contemplating his very odd life.

(end scene)

At home, Dagmar hides in her room with Odin. Well, at least there's a quest to plan...

A knock on her door "dag?" Her father.

"Mmph." (What?)

"mmmm?" (You okay?)

"Eh." (Don't wanna talk about it.)

"Mmm? mmmmph Humph" (I wish you would. But if you change your mind. I am downstairs and will listen)

"Mmmph." (Ok. Love you.)

"mmmph" (Love you too) and footsteps to leave her be

And that was the best/worst date ever!

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

Sylvi finds the new cheersquad situation different. Sure, she's been bumped to the A Squad! But suddenly the girls are older, and she's not the leader that everyone looks to! Nadeen is there also, but mostly it's not her show and she's got to earn her respect all over again.

The moves are more advanced, and more strenuous. Troll strength? Big bonus

For Dagmar, it's a different sort of sports practice.... and even Lupita is raising a brow "Hey, I know it's practice but the heck? WHere's your focus?"

Sylvi's finding herself more than a little overwhelmed, yes, but she sets her mind and effort to the task. As a result, she's often a sweaty mess by the end of it.

One of the senior girls, assistant Coach, appraises her, and Sylvi gets ready for the games, the sneering plastic faces and...