#bergen_county

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The horses look magnificent, not the ones at the stable, though they were the inspiration, the ones on the side of King's Convenience!

Jaymes is impressed "Very good" he says using TWO words

Sparrow beams. "Easy to do with such handsome inspiration."

Artistic liberty was taken - Star is a pegasus! Stormwake's hooves streak lightning!

"She'll love it" This is what matters and he nods, he looks at the lightning patterns and considers then says "So will the Chief"

"Well - see up there?" She points. A falcon soars in the background, defiant against the gale. And say... is that an oak tree behind?

"Detailed" he does not disapprove. He scratches his chin.

"Well, I wanted something suitably epic."

"Does, the falcon.. increase the price?" A touch of embarrasment at bringing it up

"What? No!"

A glimmer of relief in his eye and a nod.

"I'll write the check" A nod then pause "Do yo utake checks? Not everyone does"

"I thought we agreed on.. ah... lessons, wasn't it?"

"Lessons?" Brow "I dont' remember that"

"Showing me a bit of Skycraft, yes?"

"I'm getting plenty of cash from Caesar for the apartment job."

The brow rises "I will pay you a fair wage. " A pause "And teach you some skycraft but it will take time to learn"

"If... if you insist. And yes, checks are fine."

"I do. " A nod "I thank you for understanding."

"A debt, yes. But this was fun to do."

"You should do it more then" A nod

"I'm an art student."

A nod "They pay you back for the delay in lessons?"

She shakes her head.

"mmm" A nod then "You should take a picture of this.. turn it in as extra credit or something" firmly "It's good. Should count"

"I'm going to put it in my portfolio, for sure."

"Maybe I'll get more work around here, for it."

"You want me to let folks know your contact info if they ask about the painting?" A look

"That... yes, that would be good. Quite a scheme, turning graffiti into a business."

A pause "You like working with kids?"

She nods.

"You should talk to Anne Marie" He says "She is always looking for folks to help with youth programs on top of things. Maybe you could get the art job irregular but enough to interest, and a paying job with regular hours?"

"Well, not an option, really..."

A nod then , a beat "Why not?"

"Well, I have to get back home."

"Ah," A nod

**********

Symon huffs at Dagmar. "I just don't see why you NEEDED a squire, let alone one that might just think up tricks that makes your work harder all the time." He whispers, annoyed despite Gerd's earlier efforts to soothe his un-sluagh-worthy temper with tea.

"It was as surprise to us all," Gerd says

"And I meant what I said... I'll pay you the debt you feel Connor owes you just please accept his apology"

"Well, Chief asked."

"Connor's an okay kid."

"It's not like... a debt. It's my FACE." He still frowns. "I never thought to worry about that because who'd want this mug..." Scoffing. "Just wrangle a promise out of him, without pooka-double-talk, that he won't try to pull that trick again. Not with -me-. I don't know if he could fool anyone else, but I have a reputation to keep. And with Dags calling me out on stage and the Chief trying to award me titles, it's hard enough as is to keep a proper sluagh distance."

Grimace.

"Sorry."

"I was... yeah. Sorry. Won't do that again."

"I'll talk to him that he is NEVER to do taht again and that it's very hurtful to sluagh"

"Well, let him do whatever he wants with other faces. Just not mine and I'm fine." A nod towards Dagmar though. "Though keep in mind that if he plays tricks on other people now, don't they have the right to come to you for retribution or whatever?"

"The squire plays, the knight pays."