#bergen_county

"you were patrolling when Icame by?"

"Yeah, I better get back to it."

"No problem. If you want, we can bot hwalk by Dagmar's dad's store and I'll but you a drink"

"Uh, no thanks."

"I don't think the guy hates you"

"Yeah, but he could squash me l8ke a grape."

"Code of Dagda, they're not to supposed to crush those weaker than them"

"Yeah, and then there's the code of 'out of sight, out of mind....'"

A snicker "Okay. Some other time some other place. Good luck on the rest of your patrol"

"Thanks." And off he goes.

For a time, the patrol goes smoothly. Changelings nod to him as he travels by.

Chimera seem to be fairly well behaved, downright rare.

He does NOT run into Dirk. Which.. is good, right?

"Excuse me, young man?" A worried looking woman says near his own House, not so far. She's mortal, not enchanted. Sweet old lady, looks to be sixty ish

"Yes, ma'am?" Politely.

"Have you seen a puppy?" She describes the dog "I found him at a grocery store, and was going to look around for his owner, but when I called the shelter to see if anyone had a missing pup named Buddy, I found he'd slipped out of my back yard somehow. The poor thing must have been terrified"

"Uhhh....." Adam stalls. "Well, uh. Yeah. Yes. I recognized him and took him home. He's fine!"

"It was awful nice of you to try and help him, ma'am."

"Oh my goodness, he has a home, where? " Relief

"Uhhhh... oh, it, across town. But I drove him."

"Oh you are so nice, but you don't have to drive me. Just tell me where and I'll go there to talk to the owners"

"Uh. Well. Uh, sure but.... but he got out while they were getting ready to go on vacation. And they're gone now. I think. They were glad to get him back in time."

"Wait, if they're on vacation, who is tending to him?"

"They took him with them."

"oh," Relief "Yes well, okay. WHen will they be back?"

"I'm not sure." Honestly.

"Do you have their phone number by chance? I'll wait a week then call and ask if I can see him"

"My mom might. Can I have her call you?"

"Sure, please, and thank you. I'm Mimi by the way, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Adam. May I have your number?" He is ready to put it in his phone.

And she gives it to him, "Thank you again, it's been such a relief. I know i sound silly but that little fellow was magical, he deserves a good home."

"Huh. Uh, yeah. He's a real cute fella. I'll ask my mom to call, Me. Mimi."

"Thank you again, and if you ever walk around in the cold or whatever and need a break I live right over there " She gestures to the house behind her, "And I've got plenty of hot coco"

A charming grin. "Thanks again!" And he heads for the Lodge as he calls his mother.

(And off to the lodge)