#bergen_county

Zara arrives fifteen minutes early, as Emily Post would advise. Tea requires an afternoon dress, a lovely thing in gray lace (if a touch yellowed by age)

The door opens, and Kyle Thomas, troll, is there.

Adam lurks behind his father.

Symon was NOT allowed to smash the basket.

Symon is familiar with trolls by now, but not THIS troll. A swallow, and he glances up at the man, and mumbles something inaudible - a greeting?

A hand on Zara's chest and a graceful nod.

He tries again. "Afternoon, Mr. Thomas. We're here to see Lilly. Uh. If that's still okay. If not, I can, uh... come back... or not..."

"Greetings. Apologies for the odd look, I am.. well, we all are, still a bit new at this. Also, Lily is embarrassed because we don't have a 'proper parlor'. She apparently thinks this is a slieight to you?"

"We deeply appreciate the hospitality, sir."

The boy is also dressed up more proper - an aged button up shirt, black that has faded to a softer grey over many washes, threadbare at the seams but a format style, and with nicely tarnished silver buttons. Over jeans, because Ann Marie's might only stretches so far against a teenager. But he's presentable.

"If it makes her feel better, we don't even have a dining room - we just eat in the kitchen - Ann Marie calls it the family room - because it's more homey that way." He admits, as if dropping a bomb that spreads shame far and wide. "Uh, I brought - my stepmother sent snacks. The packet in gingham is for you and the Mrs, and Adam I guess." A nod to the lurking kinain. "You wouldn't like the rest..."

"Well, thank you, and please, come inside. We're giving Lily and the rest of you the kitchen for this ah, tea." Kyle steps aside, "Need me to take coats or anything?"

"Hey, Symon." Friendly if quiet.

Zara checks out Adam, curious,

"I have other snacks, aye. I brought a kettle, in case you do not have one?"

"Well, we have a Ms Tea, like a mr. Coffee " He says

Symon strips his coat and hides the earmuffs in the pocket, hopefully before Adam has a chance to see them. They're not pink this time, at least... but.... still...

As they go in, they hear hissing from the kitchen "mother you must'nt be here when they arrive, I shall be scandalized"

"Keep it up, and I'll kiss your forehead right as they come in, now hold still and..there. All done" grown woman's voice.

Adam hangs back, even if he's interested.

"I wasn't sure if anyone had allergies, so I left my cat at home. She's jealous, though. She wanted to meet the new slug- " A cough. "Pardon. The new sluagh. I'll have to spoil her rotten to get her over it."

"...I have a kettle."

Kyle nods, "I see. Well, we don't have allergies, and if you prefer the kettle... I guess that's fine," Mr. Thomas says "We have guests"

"A pity Lovecraft could not join us. She is a charming creature."

The hissing in the kitchen quiets a bit then, the sound of hooves ...and Mrs. Thomas comes out, "Oh, you must be Symon and.. oh I'm sorry, I don't remember the other name? Lily is waiting for you"

Symon looks about to say something, then he remains silent, allowing Zara to provide whatever name she may choose.

"Zara, ma'am." Hand to her chest. "My pleasure."

1122 is along for the ride - he might be mistaken for an elaborate copper hair accessory.

"Well, I'm Brenda, Mrs. Thomas if you feel formal. Please, she's very excited. I'm a bit confused, but this is how it's done I'm told."

"Glad to meet you. Well, I mean, again. The new yous." An awkward moment, and he offers, "Zara and I shared fosterage with the same Mistress, though at different times. She said I'd drive her to distraction, so she probably couldn't handle another student at the same time."

"Oh, that's you? Yes, " Brenda sighs, "I'm so sorry, it's so strange to 'see' people in a new light. "

"Aye, quite a surprised adjustment, I would imagine. But you make a fine satyress, Mrs. Thomas."

Adam fades back.

Symon edges towards the kitchen, glancing around to see if he can catch a glimpse of the Dolly he met before. "Lilly, does, uh Mrs. Primbriar care to join us?"

A nod to the kinain, too. "Zara."

"Ah, thanks." Brenda says, "My horns feel too large, but thanks."

Symon does not see Mrs. Primbriar, but Lily gets out of her chair and grabs her old dress and waves a bit with the end of it, "Hello, sir. No, she has been told this is a sluagh only event."

"Nay. They are well balanced. You would not wish to be of distinguished seeming with small horns."

"Ah - I mustn't tarry. There is tea to set! Pray forgive,"

"Of course," Brenda moves to the side, "You three play nice now."

Lily winces as her mothers 'play nice now' comes in from the hallway

not because it's too loud, but because it's soooo embarrassing

He blinks a bit - used to being at the bottom of the totem pole, as it were, he's not used to being Sir'd. "Oh. Alright. Tell her I said hullo, though. I didn't bring my cat either, but you can meet her another time if you like." Ducked full into the kitchen now, and sets the packet wrapped carefully in plastic wrap over foil onto the table. My stepmom sent some treats. I'm not sure what, but she's... she's come a long way, and it should be something we like. Oh, and this is Z - Miss Zara, our kithsister."

"Mothers."

Zara unpacks her own basket - she did, indeed, bring a copper kettle to fill and set to boil.

"Hello, Miss Zara," A similar curtsey wave with the dress from Lily

(Outside of the kitchen) Adam can see his mother fret and his father fighting protective instincts

"Greetings, Miss Lily. Thank you for hosting." She splays a hand on her chest once more, offering a full formal bow to the newest sluagh.

And Symon follows a beat behind, taking cues from Zara in his own bow. "I'm sorry I haven't visited sooner. It's important to meet other sluagh. We all gotta look out for each other, us who stick to the shadows and go unseen. But I didn't quite know how to be all, "Hey, Adam, I'm gonna come hang out with your sister" without it sounding odd."