#bergen_county

"So set your phone near the pool. Not so close it plunks in the water, but near and you hear. It's a miracle.... portable phones. I think it's from Japan"

"I dunno, Dude. Lady Sparrow.... she's not coming back, I think. Not now. And Piper.... maybe better I just go home. Maybe if I go home Lady Sparrow will come back and do some more painting."

Zane's face breaks into a scowl, then "Fine. "

"What?"

"Sorry man, but.." A frown "When is the last time we hung out and DID something fun? I mean.. I'm your friend, not your life coach so traditionally SOME kind of social interacting that's mutualy entertainin is expected"

"Shit." A sigh. "I'm sorry. With the break up and all.... and the Raid before that. And the plague..... but no excuses. I suck."

"Ah, you just tend to be a little Adamcentric. Look...you don't want the pool, that's fine. You want to play video games, I'm down. You want to watch a bad movie and throw popccorn? I'm coooll. You want to shoot the hoops ? I'll get my ass kicked unless I cheat, but at least that's something but let's DO something fun?"

"You pick." Adam offers honestly. " 'Cause I suck."

"Your place, Hoops.. THEN swimtrunks and we come back for the pool."

"Cool. C'mon." And Adam leads them to the car, and to his place.

Where they have a fun game of hoops

(End Scene)

Trot trot trot, goes the little foal in his pasture. Nap in the sun, flitter his winglets, visit mum for a meal, nap again... life is good.

Trot trot trot, goes the little squire on his duties, mucking out the stables, sweeping up loose hay, and practicing hopscotch - both himself up and down from the hayloft, and bringing down new bales for the hungry mom. And then more sweeping.

Life is also good!

Tromp tromp tromp goes the knight, currying the horses, fussing over dam and foal, tending the tack. Life is good.

Nadeen comes in humming happily with Oak by her side

A happy wave!

"Hello" she says patting Oak and sending him off.

"Hay Nadeen!"

((I will let that typo stand))

Connor waves happily to Nadeen, but is busy with his chores and tomfoolery. Near, but the two may talk more or less unaccosted.

"How are you? hows' the Colt?"

"He's doing great! Look how much he runs!"

"Oh my. he doesn't want to stop" She admires

"Well, you figure - how long has he been waiting to try his feet out?"

"Though I guess we need to think of a name soon..."

"Yes, how's Spark until you settle on one?" she looks to Connor "her mother's name translates"

"Spark?" She considers, and smiles. "That's cute."

"it is.. oh, I spoke to Dolph," She says "he gave a suggestion for the feed for him..."

"Sparkle Flutter Moonmist Sunbeam the Third!" Connor calls over.

"Or... Spark, for short?"

"I didn't know you went back up..." A note of worry.

"oh, yes. I'm the Liason to it as well as Caer Falken"

Furrow.

"Well, you're the best choice for that, for sure..."

"Thank you. Don't worry. I took Oak to defend me" she says

"Can Oak defend you from Ailil trickery?"

"no, but my own mind can"

"I know. You're good at court stuff..."

"I know, I won't get cocky" She says

"Well, I know. Troll instincts."

She moves and gives her a light kiss, then says "I admit it. I find him sympathetic and probably think of him better than you and others do. It's.. complicated. "

Truth "But I am not forgetting he might still play a game. Calanthe is the one I worry about though" True

"She's... tricky, yeah. The Baron is just distant. I hate that he is so cold to Connor."

A sigh "I do too. I tried to patch things up with Calanthe a bit by a debt owed me. It will buy time"

Connor chats with Oak. "Did you and Nadeen have fun adventures? You smell like OTHER DOGS. I hope they were nice." He fluffs the great dog's ears. "You want an apple? No? More for me." Crunch, he takes a bite. And a milkbone passed to the dog.

"The bird was beautiful... but yeah."

"They were fierce but amazing" She says of the dogs "Oak made a good impression"

"Of course he did." Loyal.

"Though his fur is soft " Amusement "And Connor, careful. Snow might be around"