#bergen_county

The car rolls quietly.

A glance over at Eden. Symon checks his pockets - again.

As it heads out of Bergen County. Eden shoots him a hurt look "hurful.. not all Piskie's steal" the pooka says "I'm taking this mission seriously"

"No, it's not that. Just... checking. I always get the feeling I forgot something."

"Yeah, well, you made your feelings about me superloud a lot. But we can get on the same cheer squad here"

He frowns. "I didn't mean to tick you off. But if it's dangerous and our lives are on the line, I had to know you could be serious. I don't... know pooka, okay? I don't understand most of what you say." He fidgets. "I can't tell when you may be serious, or making fun of me. And I've had my share of being shit on before moving here. So for what it's worth, if I judged you wrong, I -am- sorry."

Her features soften "Lot of fun on this side too... everyone hears you, but then they hear me but it doesn't matter what I say it's like super cool clear."

"Yeah." A small, scarcely audible snort. "And when whatever nasty stuff they call you is true, it don't mean it doesn't sting none. I had to learn to make it my own. Own it, and then it..." He shakes his head. "Dunno why I'm bugging you about this bull. ...so this mission. I don't get the feeling that you're a fighter, but maybe, are you?" Aware he misjudged her already.

"Hey, assuming all asians know martial arts, that's ragist" Then a blush "The best fight is the one where you're in the audiance."

"We're on the same page there. The best fight is the one you can walk away from, and for me, that's the one I wasn't in. So if it comes down to it, if shit gets hairy, you run, okay? Or... slither. I'll be squirming away as fast as I can too." He rubs at his arm, and asks, "Now I'm gonna get more shit about assumptions about Asians.. but do you know the story of the Imugi? I mean, I know your parents were pretty, uh... Americanized.. and religious. Not sure how much folklore they may have passed on, if any."

"Like Smaug but made five times cheaper right?"

"Yeah... nah. Europe has issues with dragons, probably linked to Christianity and devils and shit getting conflated. Eastern dragons are generally auspicious - think more Falcor, than Smaug." Even if Smaug IS cooler... Symon thinks.

"Ooo a luck dragon..yeah, been riding one of those all my life" They are beyond Bergen, crossing the river into New York State. The Dreaming seems to shift... the clouds changing shape

dark as it is, one can still read the words they form 'It's not just the Fucking City! It's a whole state!'

"Before we go in, I'm gonna ask an... associate for help. If he wants to offer it. Be cool, alright?"

"I'm so cool I'm cold blooded"

He waits for them to pull over...

A mile after the bridge and behind a 'Knitting Shed' (Now closed) they pull over

Symon rolls up his sleeve... a frown, then the other sleeve. A somewhat shy glance over at Eden, flushing a bit as he pulls loose his shirt collar and glances down at his chest... Finally he sees what he's looking for on an ankle, and tugs off his shoe, revealing a tattoo... "What are you doing down there?" He mutters...

"Normally a girl has to pay extra for this" The pooka mutters

Clearing his throat, he taps lightly at the skin, and asks, in formal Korean, "Syeong-Min would speak with you, Imugi, great serpent, one who spends a thousand years and will awaken a mighty dragon."

And after a moment of impatience, he pinches the skin where the tail is tattooed. "Wake up, lazy lizard...."

And the tattoo moves ,and it begins to rain...

"Rain... that's good. Helpful. Muffles sound." He whispers over to Eden.

"Most misbegotten son of snails! Blessed beyond your deserving you are to have me and you follow a mediocre praise of my prowess with a pinch?"

And the tatoo rises like mist from the flesh to take a draconic shape

Eden's serpentine eyes widen "Grand mother?"

It takes Sluagh contortions to give a bow to the chimera whilst it is creeping off his ankle, but he twists and manages it in a way that may make mortal spines ache to witness.

"I wouldst not awaken thee from thy nap, but that it be a moment of needs most dire. I have requested thy presence along with... uh... Lady Eden, Blessed of the Serpent-folk." He whispers in a smooth, flattering tone.

"And if I get my bucket kicked doing some fool-ass mission that you could have helped on, if only I had requested, and I didn't ask, then you'd surely be most wroth. After all, ain't I the last mortal you have to help before you're released to ascend?"

"We have to infiltrate this building ahead where some nasty folk are holding innocents hostage. We're just sneaking in to find out what the layout is - in, look around, and out. Can you help us figure out the safest way in?" And a glance to Eden with a small nod, if she has a question?

"And advice for a giants on parade to pull rescue rangers in a deep bass cover of the song?"

Eden says

Symon takes a moment to decode that. Once he thinks of it like a riddle rather than a joke at his expense, it's almost interesting.... "Advice for our Troll friends to seek a rescue mission.".. I think."

"A hidden entrance... maybe through the roof is how they get in, and the obvious door might be electrified, or just hella guarded..." He mutters... "Or through the water.... pipes, drainage... maybe gutters to a window, even..."

"As to the question of the raid to free... tell the giants help is found in the crescent eyed"

He whispers over to Eden, "If even the Dragon is making Asian jokes now, I'm -done-." A faint clearing of his throat. "Thank you, 'Moog. I shall endeavor to make it through this intact so that your time in assisting this lowly being is not wasted."

Eden whispers "maybe he meant croissant eyed and whoever is French?"

"We already got help from Vali. But who knows..."

And the great wise being turns to ink splattering upon the boy once more..sinking anew to his skin. Even as the rain dwindles

"Too bad the rain couldn't keep up. But then again, all we'd need would be for the water table to rise and then there would be no air left in the pipes... We are at roughly sea level until you get over towards the hillier regions..." His Nerd showing for a moment before he shuts up. "I was listening though. Maybe I missed something. I hope not." Pondering for a moment.

"C level? " A scoff "I thought we were A students here.." She nods "Okay.. guess we can leave the car here while I get my game face on"