#bergen_county

And she nods. "Double the normal cost."

"It is, sir. And...price, sir?"

"Double" He nods

"Ah. I didn't realize that part."

"And that's because of...an incident?"

"Yeees..." The boggan says "Repay all debts..and I had a very special mojment ruined"

"I'm really sorry about that. I was wondering...would you be willing to accept an apology from Rikki?"

"Or at least to hear an apology?"

"I'm sure you'd want to be considered for future projects at the BAR too. Not that they would lock you out, but if that pricing is standard, it just would be beyond the... reach, pun not intended, I think. And with new tenants like me moving in and all, there are bound to be custom design and reno projects lining up. Like you said, acoustics, but also maybe sound dampening. Because what if there's a couple with a new baby living next door to a satyr grand dame with an electric axe?"

Sylvi nods. "She's got a point. You don't want to dry up your own well."

A scowl "You girls just want a pool."

"Sir, I've really got no dog in this hunt. Yes, Piper said I could come and use it, but I'm not doing this because of that. We've got two groups of fae at odds with each other, and it's interfering with one from getting a project completed, and interfering with another from being able to complete a project and earn money for it. I just...I'd like to help sort it out."

"How am I supposed to trust a pooka's apology? I have a daughter I barely understand and i know her"

But he is considering it

"And I won't lie to you, Mr. Hayes. I WOULD like a pool, that's true. But I also know just from what I've seen at the BAR so far, they put care into everything, and if they hired you, it's because they wanted the best. AndI also know that it sounds like Rikki really hurt an important day for you, and she's not sure how to make it right. It must be hard for pooka, too, to know how to apologize and not have it seem another jest."

"I know, pooka-speak makes it difficult. What if...what if your daughter spoke with Rikki? Maybe the two of them can figure out a way? I honestly haven't spoken with Rikki yet. I wanted to know if you'd even be willing to hear her before I got her hopes up that she could fix things."

"She mentioned, if I understood, that she was requested to not come on your property. So we certainly didn't want to invite her over uninvited, even to try to make a point.

"mmm tell you what. one way she can SHOW she's apologizing is by deed. Rikki helps work 4 hours, for REAL hours of work... side by side with us supervising... no pranks. Four hours of fetching an carrying.. with NO pranks..a nd I'll do it at the regular price"

It would appear they have swayed him. Somewhat

"That sounds like a really fair deal to me, sir. We'll ask her, and let you know if she agrees to it."

A nod "I'm a man of my word. If she'll carry through that part. I'll stick to the general price"

"Thank you. And thanks for making the time to meet with us. We'll be going now." And she nods to Piper for them to head to the door.

She catches the nod. "Thanks again, Mr. H!" And heads out.

Sylvi waves to the receptionist as they go. "We'll be calling a bit later."

The receptionist waves "Okay!"

As they get out to the street, Sylvi says to Piper, "Well, that's step 1. Let's go find Rikki." And they head back to the apartments.

((But that's another chapter.))

"I have to say... that was impressive, how you reasoned there. I wouldn't have thought to have his pooka translate for our pooka." As they walk. "My brain went straight to bribery..." A sigh, and a smile to Sylvi. "I guess that's why you're the Emissary, right?"

Sylvi smirks. "Give yourself credit. Your brain didn't go straight to bribery. It went straight to extortion. 'That's a nice business you got there. be a shame if you never had the chance to work in this neighborhood again....'" She adds a teasing elbow nudge.

A laugh! "I was serious then! I wasn't extorting! ....think we can convince them to upgrade us to a saltwater pool?" A snicker. "Now all we gotta do is make sure that Rikki can handle a few hours without pranks... oi."

"Maybe if there was a cute boy along for her to talk to? I only chatted with her a bit over breakfast, but she DID mention that there was a dearth of those around the apartments."

"I don't know. Maybe? But...I'm thinking maybe you and I could offer to let her prank us for two hours each if she makes it through the four hours prank-free."

Hoofsteps and down the partment hallway streakss a african american satyr with golden horns

"Whoa! Where's the fire?"

"This is crazy..." he says starting to race by "They told me I could move fast but..." He checks out Sylvi ..and hits the brakes... then turns around and pprops himself against the wall "Heeey."

She blinks...then gives Piper a bemused look before putting on a cheerleader smile. "Well, hey yourself."

"I'm Basil.. kind of new to the whole dreaming thing" He looks up at her, "Ain't too proud to ask for a bit of guidance from a lovely lady like yourself."

Piper hasn't seen Basil act like this... but new Satyr... fae soul going strong. It's kind of inevitable

"You're new? Welcome the the party, Basil. I'm Sylvi. You guys know each other?"

"Yeah, one of Piper's mom's is my mom's sister so..cousins"

Sylvi blinks, doing the relationship math for a second, then nods. "Well, cool. And nice to meet you."

"thanks.." He seems to realize something and he steps back "Ah, sorry. I don't normally come on this strong. "

She grins and shrugs. "I'm not bothered. But just so you know...I'm seeing somebody." She doesn't seem at all offended. "Basil, do you know Rikki? We're looking for her."

"Rikki? Only by name" he admits "And understood. I'll back the hooves up."

"We're good," she assures him. "And okay, I guess she lives with her dad..."

Piper returns from the washroom. "Hey Baz! What brings you out this way? Got tired of the Professor already, needed some real world experience?"

"Actually wanted to run some where without risking being seen....also, at your door I left Tove Food supplies'

"Oh, you need to come visit the Lodge. Room to work out, and most of the woods have trails where mortals don't go."

"Food from Tove??" And shoot, she's gone - running up the stairs at speed!

"I hear good things," He says