#bergen_county

Morningstar, full belly, it's another day of patrolling for Dirk. He walks by the Thomas Household

"You feel safe?" Dirk asks Brenda snorting and kind of in her space

"Less so now" She says "there's a redcap on my porch"

"oh..yeah, sorry, just checking.... sorry, patrolling" He says

"Patrolling.. oh" Brenda gets an idea "Wait here" And shoots upstairs

"Wait here? I got.. shit" Dirk says

A knock on Adam's door "Adam, it's your mom. There's a patrol going on"

"Not working today, mom."

"They're understaffed" SHe says "Chief got hurt"

"I know."

"Adam.. I don't feel safe with JUST Dirk defending me" She says honestly

A longer silence. "Where's everyone else?"

"I don't know," She admits

Another silence.

"I'll go out later."

"all right" She says "I'll tell Dirk he's on his own for now. " A pause "He'll probably feel a bit smug about it"

"Yeah." Disinterested.

Brenda bites her lip then says "I'm sorry, son. I wish I had the words to make it better. But right now, I worry what ever I said wouldn't be enough. Let me know if you need anything okay?"

"Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome" She says but wishes she could do more, then heads down, and sends the Dirk off with soda and food

************

A knock at the Barn!

There is a Satyr on the porch...

Dagmar opens the door, CJ tucked in one arm. "Piper?"

She gives a smile to Dagmar, though it seems to take an effort. "Hey Dagmar!" Her hair is a bit mussed - the undercut is starting to grow out, that needs a trim. And her eyes a bit red and puffy. But she notices CJ and the smile takes a bit of a stronger hold. "And wee one. I'm just popping in and out - I got a note that Tove had finished a project she was working on for me? For a custom instrument."

"Oh, sure, I can get her. You mind holding the baby?"

"Not at all, gimme gimme." Already reaching for him, she gladly takes him and supports his head in a practiced motion, giving him a tickle on the chin.

Following inward after Dagmar. "You holding up ok post-raid? Healing and all that? I know you got a few whomps."

"I got off pretty light, really."

"Are you okay? No offense, but you look like hell."

She snorts. "And they say goats are blunt. I didn't get hurt, no. But I'm a bit messed up. I was. Seeing all that. Realizing I've got some stuff to work through, a lot to unpack there." She bites her lip. "...and working through a breakup."

"Shit."

"And yeah, that place was... yeah, fucked up. Listen, I'll check and see if Tove's awake... but maybe you stick around for, like, some food?"

"But I didn't want to come by to unload on you, that's what Sylvi is for since she volunteered." A small smile there. "She maybe is regretting it now, but she's been helping a lot. And nah... I think I just need to grab and go, I have a lot to take care of before I deliver it on. but thanks."

"If she's sleeping... if CJ is letting her nap? Maybe don't wake her up, ok? I can swing by later, or if you know where her workshop is, it's a small ocarina, and I think it will have a star pattern on it."

"Yeah, that's why I'm on baby watch. I can check her project pile, though. Be right back."

CJ gurgles and stretches out pudgy legs.

Dagmar heads off - walking as lightly as she can to not disturb Tove.

Piper bounces the boy lightly, enjoying his happy baby gurgles. It's good for the soul...

CJ is a sweet baby when he's happy, and Piper has such fun bobbing curls and a new face to touch!

A yawn

"What are you doing in my project pile?"

"Looking for the ocarina - sorry to wake you up! Piper's here..."

"Oh, she is? Wonderful" She reaches down past sevaral things, pan pipes, a native American flute, and then near the bottom a wooden ocarina

Softly from the other room. "Who's the cutest little thing ever, yes you are... yes you are..."

"I take it she has CJ?" Tove says

"Yup!"

"Well, I had a lovely nap, but it's time to mom again" She moves along "Here we go.."

"Dunno, Piper seemed pretty happy to have some CJ time..." Heading down with her mom.

Tove peeks out