#bergen_county

"Dag, you ok?" He whispers to her.

"Yeah, fine." Flat.

Sylvi looks like she's about to have An Opinion...but the clamps her lips together and just nods.

Adam shrugs. "Why not go on a quest or something to get those things?"

Another glance at Adam.

"I mean, I know I don't understand everything but it seems like you could go into the Dreaming and find stuff there to get you power and stuff."

"Because quests don't provide everything, Adam. And if it were that easy, everyone would have a crown and a hold"

"Ok, good point."

"They don't provide for everything...." Sylvi agrees. "But...they help."

"Are there any Varich holds out this way? Maybe, like, there could be a trod..."

"If there were a close Varich hold I'd be fostered there" A reminder, "But it's okay. Maybe I'll find someone with a trod as you say"

"Um...wait...you said Feathered Serpent before, right?"

"Yes.. I did" SHe says "it was actually the fact it was near Jessica's hold that allowed me to learn of it"

"Pardon, Countess Jessica's hold"

"And...well...we've got easier access there now...." A glance to Dagmar. "So it wouldn't be so hard to visit...."

She clearly still doesn't like this idea, but is trying to make the best of it.

"We do? Mm that is to his advantage. He may end up being in the lead" She nods

"He?"

"In the lead?"

"I can't protect you if you're too far away."

Adam is still watching Dagmar, concerned.

"you don't have to..." She says "You're Free now, Dagmar. " A smile

"Um...Adam? Can I talk to you a minute? Over here?" Sylvi beckons him aside.

"And yes, did you think I was only going to have one prospect?" A look at Sylvi, "if one plays the game of alliance by marriage one learns it is better to be the the prey than the hunter..until it is time to turn around and get caught by the wolf of your choice"

"Me? Yeah....." He goes to stand with Sylvi.

Sylvi blinks at Nadeen's phrasing. "If you say so. You guys talk." She gestures to Nadeen and Dagmar, then pulls Adam aside by the arm.

"What??"

"Don't have to, but.. I mean.."

She huffs.

"But you're a friend, and you take care of your friends. I know" Nadeen says

"Look..." she says in an angry sotto voce, "...I want to give them a chance to talk, because they need it, but I also wanna talk to you." She pulls him even further away. "How can you think you get to hold Dagmar's hand after you've been flirting with everybody you see?"

"Right." Miserable.

Adam blinks. "Is there a rule against flirting?"

"There's not, for you, but...look, not all trolls, but a lot of us are a lot more...well...we get serious, quick." She gives him a meaningful look.

"I feel sorry that I didn't prepare you for this better, Dagmar. I ...don't know what to say"

"Maybe, but Dagmar doesn't."

"It's what it is. Right?"

"Can't keep anything."

She blinks at him. "Wow. You are that dense." A sigh. "Fine, whatever, but if you hurt her? You're going to wish you hadn't."

"But if you need me, right? You know I'd come. You'd just have to ask."

"What if you need me? it could happen" Nadeen smiles "But yes. I hope to at least visit"

"I don't -want- to hurt Dagmar. Are you nuts?"

"I guess it could happen, yeah."

"Doesn't look like you're trying to hard to avoid hurting her, either."

"I mean, I'm pretty set up here..."

"Don't you think this is between Dag and me?" Pointedly.

"Then figure it out, but I'm telling you, she's my friend, and I don't want anybody to take her for granted."

"Yes" Nadeen says "And I love that, Dagmar. I love that you have a family and friends. I don't do this to make you miserable. I do it because you will be in good hands and you in turn will have folks who need you"

"I just.. I.. I guess I got used to you."

"And I you" A nod "I'm never going to have another friend quite like you"