#bergen_county

Jaymes says "I know it's hard ot talk. You and I, we're not always talkers even when we feel great. It's..." A huff, and a gesture ("Jabber Jabber blah blah")

Nod.

"But sometimes, we have to. We need to. And it's okay that we might not be elegant or cool when we do." He continues, "So don't feel bad about how WE will think of you. We love you. That's not changing. Remember when you told me you wanted me home more often at night?"

Lip-bite. Nod.

"Well, I didn't understand, not the usual way, and, dense as I was. YOu had to just use words. And .. I am glad you did. I needed to hear the words. So don't be ashamed if you do have to use your words. Ever." A nod. Then a beat, "Though if you get as chatty as Siv I may get some aspirin"

"Jaymes" Tove says at him

A weak laugh.

Shoulder shrug ("Well, it's true") Then he clears his throat. "So, can you use your words and tell us how we can help? I don't want you to lose your chance at track and other things you love because PE flunks."

Eyes go wide.

"Can I get, like, an excuse?"

"Such as?" Jaymes says listening for ideas

"..I was sick?"

"Too sick to swim, at least..."

She pales, looking ashamed.

"Everybody would know. The boys would see it, and..."

"Well, the long ssleeves would keep them from seeing it, was my thought " Tove says "Maybe you could change in private?"

She does look sympatghetic

Jaymes says "They'll ask what you were sick of, or why you weren't staying home from school. "

Chewing on her lower lip.

"Maybe talk to Coach?" Uncertain.

"I do change in the bathroom..."

Tove says "We're not so naive as to say that girls and boys of any age can't be cruel. And it's very easy for us to tell you what they think doesn't matter, but I'm not sure I understand why the long sleeves don't work if you have a way to change privately? Just tell them your mom is lame and is worried that you'll get sunburned - let them think I'm the cause. Over protective," She says "I don't mind as long as it helps you."

"And you do need to learn how to swim. " Jaymes says

"Long sleeves work, but.. I mean, I already missed..."

"We will talk to the coach about make up work" Jaymes says "But we didn't want to..." A frown "We wanted to talk to you first before we settled on the best solutions"

Tove translates his frown "Your father thinks you've been bullied enough in your life and we don't want you to feel bullied by us."

"Are you mad?"

Jaymes says "Only at myself." Truth.

Brow furrow. "Why?"

"Because I keep thinking if I were a better father I would have caught onto you skpping class, and why, earlier. I would have worked on helping you remove the scars months ago if I realized they were holding you back in your life. If I were smarter, wiser, better I..." Hurrm

Harrumph.

Mmmph Tove agrees with Dagmar

Mumble, Jaymes says in a slightly betrayed tone. Only slightly

:...It isn't your fault. You know that, right?"

"Of course" Little lie..

"Mmmph."

Tove ponders then "There's..another option but I'm not sure if i t would lead to more complications than you'd like"

"What?"

"Shapeshifting magics to make you look like yourself, minus the scars. It should last long enough for the class." She explains.

Jaymes raises a brow "Wait, would that work?"

"It might" She tells him, "It's an option that non changelings don't have. But I don't know if it would be... my apologies, psychologically healthy to be done too often? Also, we'd have to tell someone who coudl do it of your condition. And.. .I know that's hard for you, Dagmar. "

Jaymes ponders this, "It does sound like something we couldn't rely on beyond a week or so"

Then he looks to his daughter "I don't know. What do you think?"

Grunt. (Sleeves.)

"Sleeves" They both say at about the same time.

"Okay" Tove says "So let's pick a style you like, colors and such" She says

"okay..."

"We'll tell your coach you have OUR Permission to change wherever you want" He says

there's a firmness to her father's voice, like if the teacher, if the scchool, protests that, they'll regret tangling with him

"Coach has been cool about it so far."