#bergen_county

May may have a friend for life, as she admires Star - rightfully so. Head back, a swish that makes her mane flow and drop just so.

Maybe she's born with it... maybe it's Neighbelline.

"Star is the prettiest, isn't she?"

"I like the stallion. He's got this takes no shit look" Lupe says nodding to Stormwake

"Star is the prettiest" May says

"He likes to project that attitude, yes."

A sound of rustling from further on in the paddock. Oh, that was someone's scarf, once. Now it's being used as a tug-of-rope between Nanny and Nonny, as both goats try to wrest it free to nibble more of the cotton blend.

"Baa-aaa!" "BAAAAA!"

"Okay... they look lunchable" Lupe says her eyes glinting on the goats

"Don't you dare" May says though fusses over the horses still

"Nanny and Nonny are Connor's. Not for eating. We do have some cheese from them, though..."

"What's goat cheese taste like?" May says curious

"probably gross" Lupe says

"Not gross! Kinda salty?"

May is stroking star shamelessly

"We can try some" May says

"I mean, Kerri can make almost anything taste good."

"Even even little green spiked wheels of evil?" Lupe says

May makes a face at THAT reference

"Almost anything."

"Okra cannot be saved."

"Death to Okra" May says fully supportive

"I mean, even Brown Dog won't eat okra, and he eats garbage."

Brown Dog wags his tail! his name! He must be doing something right!

"That's right, you have good taste." Pets.

WAGG WAGG

Oak can't stand it. He weants pets too. Soon May and Lupe are rubbing him

And the wonders of fae hounds, winged colts, and goat cheese are shared with May and Lupe

Jokes and jibes and friendship

(End scene)

A knock on the door of the lee residence!

A wary eye through the peephole.

Lucia ...with her raven wings "Symon.. got a moment?"

A click... click... shunk of a bolt being pulled back, and rattle of a chain. Finally the door opens. "You want to come in? I can make tea, or there's other stuff to drink."

"Tea's fine" she says "Thanks. Sorry to bother you. I need to talk to you about..well, we've worked together in the past and I may need that more"

He leads her into the kitchen and pulls out a chair at the small table. "We have one of those K-Cup makers, Dad is always running out the door. Do you want green, black, earl grey... uh, whatever the hell 'Festive Bonanza' is?"

She laughs softly at the Festive Bonanza "Green tea sounds great.. or at least hipster and healthy. Thanks, Symon. I know you're not social and don't want to be. I just... wow. I've got something big in my lap and you'll find out anyway. I figure I might as well come to you anyway and get your take on things"

"It was just getting quiet again." A small frown as he pushes the button and serves Lucia tea in a cup that says "I Hate Mondays!" and has an orange cartoon cat half worn off the side.

"Well, hopefully it won't get too loud... thank you" She sips "Oh geez, I'm being rude. I should at least ask how you and your family are doing before I unload on you"

"We've been good. It was kinda crazy having dad get enchanted... but things are starting to get back to normal." He slides into a chair on the other side of the table. "What's up?"

"Well, apparently Rivervale has lost both of it's diplomatic emmisary types. THey're asking me if I want to fill the gap" Her wing fluff nervously "I need to brush up on some etiquette and.. I'd like your help in staying informed of things that might end up affecting political dealings. I know you're not a fan of those, but let's face it, your kith and mine? Information is our strong point"

"I can help you with what I know about etiquette for crawlers. Court etiquette? You're on your own. But.. yeah, you've done me a solid more than once. I owe you at least that much. And give and take, more info is always good."

"... while normally I'd prefer to stick at home and do my own thing..." A small frown. "Right now I welcome the excuse to get away from Dirk and Prissy. They're.. loud."

"Loud I.. oh.. loud" She makes a face "With your ears? that must be hell. Look... my family's restaurant is mostly take out now... so our basemet there is dark, a bit cold, and a boxy mess. It's also private and and quiet. You let me know if you want the key. Not like you couldn't squirm in but my point is, if you need a break.. it will be there"

A raised brow. "I might take you up on it!

"Happy to help. warning, it smells like pasta and garlic so if that's not your thing.. eh" Lucia nods "Lessons in sluagh etiquette would be great. I want to be good at this for every kith. Nothing worse than me acting all kith woke and then ending ignoring someone out of ignorance." She confides "Frankly, I'm excited by the chance. I always wanted to do more than sling food, you know? And I figured since you don't like the whole 'pillar of the mountain' stuff talked about, I could act as your lightning rod even as you played my slightly sinister advisor"

A sly smile. "I feed you the intel, you forget to give me credit?"

"With anyone else I'd call this a douche move on my part, pardon the language, but in your case, not feeling so guilty, and I DO leave myself vulnerable if you ever decide to leave me high and dry or even feed me false info if I get cocky"

She does blush a bit

A snort. "You're lodge. That's practically like being family. at least a distant cousin." High praise from a sluagh, whether she knows it or not.