#bergen_county

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TXT to Dagmar Hello

It's from Nadeen

txt: hey

TXT: Been trying to get in touch with you. You at your house?

Txt: Yeah. What's up?

TXT: Be there shortly! Missed you! But got big news!

txt: _C U soon!

Dagmar takes a moment to check her hair and pull on one of her better hoodies.

Her parents have taken to giving her summer worthy hoodies, but with the fall coming close, hey.

And sure enough, soon her mom is calling up "Dagmar? Nadeen is here"

"Coming!"

thunder down the stairs

Nadeen looks radiant and waits at the bottom of the steps

"...Hey." A little grin.

"Hey," A smile erupts, glorious "My phone just now got recharged so I kept missing you. SO sorry"

Shrug.

"Life happens, sometimes."

"Yeah," She takes Dagmar's larger hands in her own, "Would you like life to happen on a quest?"

"A quest?" Smile. "With you?"

"Yes, but oh, I have to show you my notes. It..ah, you're not tired of horses are you? These are magical."

"Tired of horses? Neverrrr."

"So it's a horse quest? Could I.. oh.. oh, no, Spark needs her..." Disappointment.

"Well, let's talk first" She leads her over "It.. well, I'd like you to talk to Aiden. "

They settle at table and she pulls out some notes

"...Aiden? Connor's sperm-donor?"

Scowl. "Why?"

"Because this quest helps him" She says "And. might find out if a legend is true." Nadeen says "I know you don't like him, but he's a good man. Just.. a poor father."

Grunt.

"Look, there are things in the dreaming worth preserving..." She pulls out her notes, "See this? Golden horses... ones that flicker flash."

Brow furrow.

"And then to give them to him?"

"First we learn if they're imprisoned or in danger. If they're safer in the wild we definitely leave them be... that's another reason I want you to meet him. Your boon will show he means the best for the horses, yes?"

"I still don't like it. He didn't value Star."

A bite of her lip, "I think there wree omens involved there. For him. And.. I remind you, he gave up claims to Spark to Connor and you..."

"...yeah..." Frown.

"I know i sound like that idiot farmboy from the movie with the glowing swords, but I know there's good in him" She assures

SCOWL.

"What?" She notes the scowl

"He hurt Connor."

"Yes" She concedes "And I'm still trying to figure out why. He seems to blame Connor for something. But I can't place what."

"I mean, I get it - you like him. You want to go on this quest, I'll go and help you and protect you."

"I just... I don't like him."

"I can't make you like him," Nadeen says "But.. how to say this... Connor IS better off here, yes?"

"He is." Stubbornly.

"Then, maybe he also did what was right for Connor. IF he can't bring himself to be a good father to Connor, then Connor deserved a better home. He is trying to make sure Connor is taken care of. THAT much, he has done"

"For one thing, he ended up with the best wilder knight in the duchy" She says proudly

"Hey now..."

"You are.. I mean, sorry if I burst Siv's bubble, and Carowyn is nice enough... but you're the peerless one"

Blush.