#bergen_county

The Wayburton house is a burst with chatter, some music, and lively debate. Marsha serves drinks, most of them non alcoholic. Her husband, Prof. Cornelius, was in an argument with Etsie, thhe old she goat. The voices are raised, light insults mixed with points of logic... which meant the 'arguement' really meant little. Lyron, to her vanity's sake, was complementing Marsha and she smiled. Charming young man. Zane seemed distracted, and she worried about him. Brenda seemed to prefer coffee so strong, Marsha wondered if the Chief had corrupted her.

"What's wrong with my house?" professor Wayburton says "Surely the traggo can meet here"

"We're scaring the norms," Etsie says "The true blues, the stout and steadies, and the whisper folk do not appreciate our noise and I nearly deafened some. This house is too central, we need space for the young bucks and Does to cavort without alarming young satyrs. We need a place we can hit the gift without ensnaring others"

"Everyone KNOWS this is a satyr home, they know what goes on" He protests

Brenda says "It sure can't be at my house" She says "Just wouldn't be fair to the others."

Marsha says "Well, you're not sained yet either so that's unfair pressure. Etsie, I don't mind being hostess if that's part of it"

"Only part, dear," Etsie says

"But where else in the fief can we go where we won't intrude? It's too cold for outdoor traggo gathering, and some troll is always on patrol in the woods anyway" THe professor hurumph

Lyron grins "There are ways to stay warm even in the winter"

Some chuckles

Zane eyes the crowd. He's glad to have other satyrs to talk to, but Lyron is older than him by just enough to create distance. PIper is, of course, his cousin. HIs own ideal traggo would be several non related female satyrs from his own age up to still hot. Shallow, yes. But hey. Brenda is, sadly, off limits. And, to be fair, as far as he knows, as a satyress, mrs. Thomas had not yet sampled anyone. None of the others pushed her to change that, satyrs were big on EVERYONE Doing what they wanted. But it might eventually lead to her not being invited to the traggo, to her being on her own. And Satyrs did not always thrive like that either. He ponders Well, I'm not supposed to go near he but maybe mom and Piper can still drop in, help her out? If Etsie doesn't.

Of course, it's not just about Bachanilas... no matter what others think

and Marsha is already saying "how's the poetry going, Brenda?"

"I love it, how good it is, I don't know, but I love it." Brenda smiles "Sir Vali has introduced me to some magazines that collect poetry and such and might help me get my hoof in the door so to speak"

Piper is making small talk with the new Satyrs, a whirl with delight at meeting so many new kithmates after what feels like a long drought in frozen Trollish lands.

Stopping by Zane, she draws him aside to ask a question. "What do you think about the hot springs area? Is that remote enough to accommodate trag' visits? Or rather... is it too close to the lodge?" A small grin. "On one hand, share and share alike... but on the other, I -do- like it as a private getaway, too."

Zane winces, "Was hoping to keep that one a secret. Also, loud as we get? Eventually some patrolling troll would end up snared into the gift"

Lyron waves warmly towards Piper as she walks by . He's been warm and charming, flirting with everyone, but also genuinely concerned with their passions.

She nods and gives him a playful hip bump. "Agreed then. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't just being a hoarder." Her gaze follows Lyron as he passes...

Zane smiles at the hip bump, then eyes Lyron himself, "yes, he's gorgeous." Zane has described himself as 75% Hetero... letting others work out what the other 25% is. "But I can't help but wish he had a sister" A smile for Etsie "I think dad has a challenger for leader of the traggo, as much as traggo's have leaders" He doesn't seem bothered by that, "mmm I guess I could suggest old gloaming locales."

"Oh, I like that. Then they won't get stale... and having a little, mmm... lingering satyr energy will help juice up the next Gloaming!" "Once the weather warms up, I'd love a beach party too... if there's one close enough. Or maybe we could finally check out that trod to Tijuana... I bet he knows the way." She takes a sip of her drink - eyes still trailing after Lyron. She seems a bit... thirsty!

Zane grins "I was thinking one of our cast offs, the gloaming is kind of special to me. You know before I got into magic study I thought my calling might be event organizer" wry "But maybe. You should ask Lyron sometime what he's learned.. offer to guide him around. I think he's tried to ask Sally Mae where the best places to eat out are"

Aunt Marsha flirts lightly with Lyron, and Brenda looks a bit thirsty herself as she eyes him and the professor, but tries to hide it. And when the subject of poetry comes up, it's clear the fellows are reduced to inspiration.

A laugh, and she parts from Zane to approach the Islander. "Lyron, we haven't had a chance to chat really. Where are you from? Somewhere warm? And, if I may be so bold..." A mischievous gleam in her eyes. "What's your passion?"

"I'm last from the area of Antigua and Barbuda," Lyron grins "And spent most of my time there. though I traveled. Spent a year in Jamaica, because, why not? As for my passion, well," His eyes fall on her, "I like the dance. But, there are all sorts of positions one can take when dancing mmm?"

"Oh yes. Mine is music, dreadfully generic, I know." A grin. "I'd love to see you dance sometime though. And I've always wanted to visit the Islands."

"Certain, I would love to give you a reason to have your strings quiver, you give me a reason to move below de waist?" wicked "There is nothing generic about music, lovely lady. If you like all sorts, that does not make you slip shod, on the contrary, it marks your soul as delightfully voracious. And maybe one day I can invite you to the fiefs of bright paradise. But tell me, where do you hail from? I Know enough of Concordia to know it is immense. And you do not sound like a jersey girl"

Mmm. Piper could listen to him talking all day. She's a bit of a sucker for an exotic accent... "I grew up in California - my parents live in the San Fran bay area, but I've traveled up and down the coast a bit."

A sigh, and she plucks at a sleeve. "I've lost all my tan... in this frozen wasteland..."

"California, famous, infamous, hated , loved, and envied. When I was younger I thought i could be a star" He grins "Then I Looked up housing prices in LA. I'm good. San Francisco though, now that's a passionate city " He looks over her, "Oh, it's not so bad, you're a paler pearl now, but you shine just the same. I hear the summer sun comes up even in New Jersey eventually, soon you will lounge on and catch it's full embrace." A pause "Lucky sunlight"

She leans in, interested in his feedback, and gives a pert spin as he looks her over, so that he can get a full look! "You're a flatterer. I'll allow it." A grin. "I never had to worry about housing costs - back there, I traveled with my trag' and we were... half hippies, half rock stars." Chuckling. "Just popular enough that we never had to worry about a place to... ah, sleep."

"The sunlight is taking it's time coming. Your accent is like a taste of island warmth though. I hope you don't mind me basking in it for a bit."

"I don't mind at all, and you make travel along the roads of California sound wonderful"

"Now, tell me, where does one go for dancing here in Bergen? I know a young lady I might want to ask there... just met her really, but she's lively, and intriguing, even if she laments her lost tan" A chuckle

She ticks down a few fingers on a hand. "Well, tere's not really anything to speak of in River Vale, it's a bit of a podunk. Now, if you get a bit further out towards Passaic, there's Mandala, which plays Spanish and English music but is more of a 'club' than a dance venue... Club Feathers which is great if you let a rainbow flag fly... Fiesta, surprisingly, is hella country and not latinx as you might expect. For a more 'oonce-oonce, boots-n-cats' type place, I've been told that you want to make a trip over to the Boogie Room, but from there you're practically in New York so the options are endless...." A sigh.

"Of course, being technically shy of 18 and without a car, my options have been limited other than looking places up. I need to work on my Fuddle, then any ID will do. I've been meaning to wander over to Hillsdale, though." Naming the next town westward. "There's a place called Cornerstone, it's a restaurant and bar in the daytime, but turns into a nightclub at night. Sounds fun!"

"Maybe I can help you with two things" He smiles, and reaches into a pocket, "I have something in my pocket you can use some time"

"Oh, I bet you do." She breaths, perhaps not aware she said that aloud.

His eyes sparkle, and he pulls out a slim index card "Here, hold this." If she does, it transforms into ID... saying she's 21 and a local

She accepts it, and stares at it intently. A thrilled laugh. "This is amazing! Wow, it even has a bad picture, now THAT is attention to detail! Oh, but this is a treasure. I'm sure you don't want to just lend it out willy nilly..." Holding the ID covetously, though - it's clear she's interested.

"I don't, " he admits " But I do have a very generous policy of letting pretty women use it. WIth only one proviso" A beat "I get to be their 'plus one' when they use it" A chuckle

Her eyes sparkle. "You name the time and place! I'd love to go dancing with you."

"How about Cornerstone?" He asks "New to us both ,sounds good. I'll pay an Uber or something"

"If you get the Uber, I'll buy the first round, oh, or the cover charge if there is one."

"Sounds like a deal" He offers a hand "Trade numbers and work out the details later?"

She gives the card a cheeky kiss then hands it back to him. "I'd say we should go now, but it would be boorish to leave the party before you've had a chance to chat up everyone else. " She exchanges numbers with him. "I'll be looking forward to it!"

"You're a sweetheart I see," He takes the card back, "Looking out for the others. Yes, I really should flirt with Etsie more, though I fear she'll break my heart" A grin

"She looks the part! That gal still has some spice left in her." A grin, and she waves him on. "G'wan, else I'll hear it later for monopolizing you all night."

And off he trots.

Brenda waves her over "hey you. "

Piper catches the wave, and clips over, stopping to grab a couple cups of punch. She offers one out to Brenda as she joins the older Satyress. "Enjoying the get together, Mrs. Thomas?"

"Actually yes. Folks actually interested in my poetry, besides my husband I mean, and if I break into tears or yell at someone they don't act like I'm off any meds"