#bergen_county

the phone picks up "My GOODNESS Trolls are pushy"

"Yeah, well. It's a thing. Listen, what are you doing?"

"Relax. I don't plan on actually marrying him. It's just to get my foot in the door."

She can hear Sylvi take a steadying breath. "Okay, at least that much. But does Siv know what you're doing?"

"No. Siv needs plausible deniablity, and we have differing goals"

Now she can almost hear the wince. "You're running the risk of getting in each other's way, and screwing everything up."

"I don't have much choice" She says seriously "But I'll leave the liberation of others to her."

"Then..what are you doing, Nadeen?"

"Salvaging my heritage. Now please stop asking questions. It makes you vulnerable should others try to use you to pry into my affairs"

A deep breath. "Between you and Siv..." she mutters. Then more clearly, "Check in every 12 hours, please. Something stupid. Girly stuff. If anybody asks, tell them your friends back home are hopelessly needy."

"Well, THAT'S true." Nadeen says

"My point. Now you've got plausible deniability."

A pause. "Are you doing this because of you and Dagmar?"

A sigh "No. And please don't upset Dagmar by telling her this. She worries enough. "

"You don't want her help, and she might end up making things worse if she goes charging in." It sounds like agreement. Another pause. "I hate that you're doing this. Be careful."

"Siv's the one in danger...I'm just collecting a family heirloom.Goodbye, Sylvi."

And she hangs up

And that gives Sylvi something else to think about. A few things.

TXT (to Colton): Well, I don't know much more.

TXT: Wudlig's canny. I'll text him to look out for her

TXT: Please. ❤️

TXT: I will. Is it just me, or do Sidhe.. complicate everything?

TXT: Between Sidhe in general and members of certain Houses, it's a toss up.

TXT: Blue and Silver fellows excluded I hope? 😉

TXT: I did say certain Houses. 😉

TXT: I'll take it as a win and not pry further 😘

TXT: I date a smart guy.

TXT: I've gotta get some stuff done. Talk to you later? 💋

TXT: I live for it. ❤️ Go on

TXT: Love you! <3

TXT: Love you too

and.. that almost takes Sylvi's mnd off how so many of her peers are so darn frustrating

(End Scene)