#bergen_county

"I just don't... ..I let people down. I didn't think... and thought... but now no one should trust me. And you say nice things, but it would be better almost if you would just yell and then I could feel bad because I got yelled at. Instead of feeling bad because of what I did. It's ever more.. worser... more worst-est."

Jaymes looks at the young boy "You must not give up."

"That's... honor, I guess. Yelling at yourself because you can do better."

"And you know better, and will do better, so what's it help if I yell?"

"I didn't think that a quiet mad could be worse than a loud one." He admits.

"Quiet mad is hard, yeah. But I'm not mad, okay?"

"Are you going to go visit the bird lady?"

"She said to." Then, a little perturbed. "She didn't invite me though. "

"Well, she invited me... and I want to see the birds, but it's dangerous there. So I will have to talk to my parents, and talk to the Chief."

"No, she didn't."

Jaymes frowns.

"I bet there are closer birds, too." He offers. "Like the moon... with white wings."

"Earth Runes has an ayrie " Gerd says

"And a Siv!"

"Well, yes, but it has COOL people too" Gerd says deadpan

"Siv is cool! She has a flying boat!"

"Solstice is very pretty, even if she's also VERY wild."

"Good mouser though"

"Also true."

"Well, maybe we can see the birds at Earth Runes - and maybe we'll see her firehawks at Pennons."

"But can you show me how to do the chores right? So I don't make doing the chores make more chores for you? And I don't even know what firehawks ARE."

"Okay, we'll start with the scooper, yeah?"

"Since you did volunteer for doody."

"I did, and reported for it too. And I have to apologize to Mr. Stinky."

"Well, you can go do that now and scooper pooper later."

Jaymes looks to Gerd "Need to talk to you. Got a moment?"

"Uhm.. " gerd looks unsure to leave her little brother "Connor, are you okay if Dagmar shows you stuff and maybe walks you if you still want to?"

He nods. "I won't go anywhere except what Danza Dagmar says." And looking to Dagmar, "Do skunks eat carrots, or do you think they prefer Kerri's hamburgers?"

"Assuming you're okay with it too, Dagmar" Gerd says

"Skunks are omnivores, they'll eat most anything..."

"You two do what you gotta, we're good here." She grabs the tools.

Jaymes nods and looks at his daughter firm nod ("Thank you. See you at dinner") He is open to her again, no longer being a turtle.

Gerd says "Thanks"

Nod.

And off they go

And Dagmar talks Connor's (Willing, and fuzzy) ear off about the dining habits of Skunks, while showing him the ropes of the stable chores.

---end!---