#bergen_county

"I didn't even know you were here. Thanks, Nab."

Oak gets up slowly, stiffly, whimpers, but then licks Adam's face. Good human.

Adam sits slowly. "You ok, Oak?"

Weak wag. The dog still has wounds, but he's not bleeding.

Adam looks up at Vali. "Can you carry him?"

Nab smiles "happy to help"

Vali nods, "Yeah. I can. Adam, you should come to. Youre still injured. "

He shakes his head. "I have to be here, at the Gate."

"We'll get a replacement for the thing. You just did what you needed to do... and damn, you did it well"

"Thanks." He tries standing.... turns out he can.... and he goes back to sit on his log.

"Seriously" Vali picks up the dog "Let me call Tiffany, she'll take over watch"

"Mr. Gardner, it was -you- that said I had to be here!"

"Not that a -guard- had to be here, right?"

"I did" He says, "That I did...but the lindworm was why you had to be here. Or you only trust me for one part?" A smile

A shrug. "I only know what I got told, and I know I didn't get told everything."

"Well, I'm telling you now," he says wondering how this is not quite sinking in.

"Huh. So... I'm done?"

"If you want to be? I worry about your leg there and things. Up to you, but I would suggest it."

"I mean, there's a 10.5% chance I misread something and you should stay, but the odds are good"

A shrug. "I'll stay." He turns to watch the Rath.

"Okay. I'll take oak home then... is it okay with you if I send new back up?" Vali says a curious look on his face

"Aren't you in charge?"

"Of you? We're not in school. ANd I'm not the Chief." He says easy

"Didn't she put you in charge?" A shrug. "Even if she didn't, you're old and you're Fae so.... no like I can tell you one way or the other, is it?"

"Well, you could... whether I listen or not is another matter, but as I was asking for your input, it might be a clue that I'm trying to respect your wishes just a leeeeetle bit mmm?" A smile "Serious, Adam, you just fought a lindworm...you're a hero. I'm impressed. And I'm asking your preference."

"Doesn't matter." Tonelessly. "Thought I was supposed to be here, see them.... and maybe .... but.... " A shrug. "Send someone if you want. You will anyway."

"Might go home."

Vali loweers the dog down to Adam's face, and Oak gets another lick in.

Adam puffs sheepish amusement and affection back, looking away.

Vali smiles, "Good work, Adam. " ANd he craddles the dog, "ANd you too , Oak. Got some scooby snacks at home for you" They move off

Nab tilts her head, and once those two are gone asks "I don't know why you don't like him, he seems okay. is it because he's a teacher?"

"He's one of -them-." A shrug.

She leans forward "A libertarian?"

"You know. Old, and Fae, and... you know."

"not really, I think sometimes being pure dream causes me to miss certain things. I know he has a tight ass. I know he seems nice to people or at least he was nice then."

"He's that, yeah; a tight ass. Maybe he thinks he's trying to be nice to me. But... ya know? I did something.... not on my own, maybe, but I did it. And then.... 'good boy, all done, come.'" He huffs. "I get told I'm supposed to BE here.... but not why? If he knew? What the fuck??"

"Did you ask him why?" SHe says "I may have missed that part"

"No." Grumpy.

"Theeenn.. I'm confused" She admits

"Look, no one told me... ok, Zane told me about the dragon, right? And then boom, I'm here. Me, Adam, -ME- I have to be here, right!?!? So..... here I am and.... and, right, I'm ready to throw down, whatever comes out... and that -thing- wasn't the first thing, right?"

She nods listening

"I just... I just... I don't know what's going on until someone tells me and I only know WHAT they tell me and......"

He digs his heel in the dig.

"Well, that's frustrating" She nods.

"So... you should have asked him but you hate that you have to ask him to know?"

((I don't think Vali told him about his role?))

(Technically Sylvi told him to watch the thing and that Vali said he woudl be crucial there)

"Ask him about why it had to be you, I mean?" SHe clarifies

"Not allowed here to talk to anyone, not allowed to talk stuff at school out in the open so....."

"So.. ask him." She says "I mean, he has the answer right? I mean.. or we ... Mmm" SHe ponders "What did that nasty thing say to you when it popped out?"