#bergen_county

She applauds poiltely at the howling parts

He read slowly, a finger tracing each word, but much better than when asked to go over homework or boring stuff. And it helps that Star has to hear the next part.

...Star chews her grain. Maybe there will be an apple if she hangs out long enough.

Gerd does make him paws for a moment "Gonna get my meal." And darts in, then comes back with the best smelling stuf.. so cheesy "Oh no...I got so mixed upI got two. Drat." And .. it turns out, an apple and a carrot for horses

She finds him frowning a bit at the book.

"What's wrong?" She says hoping there wasn't a sad part

"Jay Berry is gonna set traps for the monkeys." He remarks, slowly. "I hope he doesn't catch 'em. It's not nice to trap things." Conflicted. "But if they're out there until winter, they'll freeze all up, because they're AFRICA monkeys, not fluffy ones like Snow."

"Probably not as smart as Snow either.. so he can't just warn them.. .or I bet he would" Gerd says

"I dunno. The boss monkey is real smart. I bet they won't fall for any of the traps. And Grandpa - that's Jay Berry's Grandpa - He padded 'em all up and even tested it on his OWN HAND to make sure it wasn't a bitey trap." He nods, and his nose twitches. "Did you fall into the cheese swamp?"

"I'm afraid I did... and I'm not able to eat my way out now that I've got two" SHe sighs

"I can help you. I can eat both of them to save you!" He remarks slyly.

"Well, I hate for you to do ALL the work" She says with concern for her gallant rescuer

He sets side the book - a glance to Star to make sure she doesn't complain, and takes a plate. Through a mouthful of cheese, "Do you fink horshes like lasagna?"

"I think that Star will want the apple"

He glances over, and indeed, Star's ears have perked up. She knows 'Apple'. "I'll eat up the cheese so she doesn't have to." A gallant knight.

"You are aces"

He's already licking the plate, and then licking the sauce from his fingers.

"Oh she's supersafe now. YOu want to give her the apple or shall I?"

"Oh, I was gonna ask you..." He glances at the book. "What's a 'paint pony'? Is that a pony that's colorful? Could WE paint our ponies?" He eyes Stormwake dubiously, and Star with just as much trepidation. "I don't know if she's safe enough for that."

"I think it's a breed of horse, but you might have to ask Dagmar, she's the real horse nut"

He finds the apple and polishes it on his sleeve, before offering it to Star. She eyes the boy for a moment, and she DID just have a bellyful of grain, and carrots for treats, but an apple is an apple, and she chomps it down. "Did you bring garlic bread for Stormy?"

"Well, he'll have to settle for a carrot" She offers one and blinks as it vanishes quickly in Stormwake's mouth.

"Greedy" She says.

Stormwake has no guilt. You gotta grab the snacks fast or a CERTAIN Mare will swipe

A snort. It's hard work looking this good.

"What's that Star?" He leans in, cupping a hand around his ear. "Oh! Star says she wants the next chapter."

"Well, we better give it to her," Gerd settles down and, if she leaves a bit of her plate, only 2/3rd eaten, for her brother to snitch, that's just her missing the signs. Whoops

He digs through the pages, then starts up again.

"I hid my net behind a big lilac bush in Grandma’s front yard, walked around the house, and came in through the back door. That was the quickest way to the kitchen and I dearly loved that part of the house. I could never remember a time when I walked into Grandma’s kitchen that I didn’t get something to eat."

A pause, and he grins. "That sounds like someone I know...but I DON'T think she'd like being called grandma." He giggles.

Gerd grins "I Ithink you're right"

"Oh, I read this bit earlier. See, he has to test out the net before he tries it on the monkeys, so he tries it on his momma's mean old Goose, Gandy, and catches him up in the net!" He laughs at this. "But he shoulda known better, and he got pecked letting him out... on the BUTT." And he cackles more - whether the small prank is funnier than the animal's revenge, is unclear. But he is enjoying the book.

"And then all the hen geese came to rescue the Gander, and he got pecked ALL OVER!" Laughing uproariously now.

And Gerd laughs softly along. More happy for his joy than the book itself so it sounds nice.

It seems clear that Connor is settled into the stables to spend all night reading.

And Gerd wil lwait until he passes out .Or not. She's here.

(End Scene)