#bergen_county

Kyle works at the little office he's set up in the house, shaking his head as he ponders marketing campaigns.

He ponders, and looks at the product. Heat Auto thermostat? Terrible name for a smart house option.

A smile crosses his features as an idea settles in. He doodles a shapley female figure with a thermastat like face, and reforms the logo into a cowboy hat pattern.... then makes the pitch "You can leave your H.A.T. on!" And in smaller writing 'A Smart System Saving Smart People Salaries'

mmm it could work... it needs refining, but it could work.

And he doodles.

The troll wonders if Brenda will like the idea that she's HIS muse.

--------------------------

Nadeen follows Dagmar home after school "Going to be exiting, Sadie Hawkins soon"

Dag nods, chewing on her lower lip.

"How... how ar eyour friends taking it, you going with me?"

"I don't have many friends to be honest, admirers, yes, those that envy, yes, but Sylvi's the liked one"

"But the few I have seem to think I'm being 'so brave' to come out" She rolls her eyes "What is this? 2010?"

"I mean... okay."

"The team seems okay with it, too." She admits.

"Well, as long as we're Okay with it, I'm not so worried" She smlies, "I think we're going to look great."

"Well, you'll look great."

"Please, I've seen you in a suit before. You look good." A smile "But yes, I'll look great. But sidhe have look great on Easy mode." Gentler "I appreciate this. I know you're not that social."

She smiles. "Well, you asked."

She hesitates.

"And you said yes" A reminder, "I think we'll have a blast."

She nods.

Her hand drifts so she can chew on a hangnail.

"Wait, you're chewing on your nails. That means you're stressed. What's wrong ? " She says

"Just... I mean, Valentines... "

"There was magic involved. Are you... I mean..."

"Ah, I thought about that, but.. any magic or glamour from that is long gone."

"And I've been attracted to you for awhile even in this life" She reminds

"I'm... I'm probably not very good at this."

"Dating anybody."

"And I am? My House sucks at romance"

"Well... yeah, cursed."

"I was a pretty bad girlfriend with Adam. And things are really.. hard... right now, with him."

"Is he giving you a hard time?" Her eyes narrow.

"No."

"Okay. First, just because something goes wrong once, doesn't mean it goes wrong the next time you try it. Second. I'm not Adam, and that's not blaming Adam, that's saying with different people things will be a bit different"

"Third, you and I have a dance, a single night. Maybe if you think of it as just one, and then worry about what happens after alter, it will go easier?"

"Maybe."

"So, how can I set your mind at ease?" She takes Dagmar's hands "This is OUR dance, that means we both hope to enjoy together. You want to dance closer to the walls or corner, or more center in the crowds? Do you wnat to stay no longer than a certain time? That sort of thing"

She looks down at the delicate hands holding her broad ones. "I don't know what I want, I guess."

"I am worried I'm not... not enough? I dunno."

"Well, if we go by height you're plenty" She looks UP, "That's an attempt at humor by a baroness. You have my permission to laugh"

She does smile.

A smile back, "And I understand not knowing what you want, well, I don't always know what i want either. I figure we learn as we go ? I want to go with someone I care about to the dance. I'd liek to dance with you, maybe share punch and talk a little? You?"

She nods.

"That sounds good."

"Then that's what we focus on, not our dating life.. just one dance -date. One night."

"I think," a smile, "I think it will be nice"

She nods again, downcast. "Sorry."

"What for?" She says "you've done nothing wrong. " Nadeen reaches up on tippy toes to kiss Dagmar's cheek, "You are just being honest about your concerns."

Blush.