#bergen_county

Connor slurps at his hot cider as he sits near Dagmar. Leaning over the table, he eyes the papers spread out before her with a distrustful look.

"You have to rememberize ALL of that?"

After all, finals are coming up.

"ALL of it. And I need Bs if I wanna do track."

"Bs are friendly even when they bumble. Why do the track people run? There's nothing chasing them! There's not even a squirrel."

"Oh, like you haven't ever gotten the zoomies. It can be fun to run. Hey, maybe you'd like to come to practice sometime? You could chase Lupe."

"Oh! Lupe! She's a little good wolf."

"She is!"

"May will be there, too. You like May."

"I did not like when someone tried to eat her." He nods in agreement. "That was RUDE. Friends don't let friends get eaten!"

"They don't! Though what if I ate you up? Fee-fi-fo-fum?"

He laughs! "You wouldn't. I'm small and scrawny. And Lilly would haunt you." Big grin.

"Oh, she would. I guess I'll just have to SQUEEZE you instead."

And the pooka is pulled into a squishy troll hug.

Gladly! He snuggles in.

"It's too bad you have to do homework studies for-ever and EVER and EVER... Jack said that Santa was at the MALL." The mall, while no longer off limits to the Pooka, is still a place of fresh wonder and delight to him.

"Mmm... well, maybe after I finish math, I could go do some shopping...."

"I'd have to take the bike, and that sidecar is right there..."

"If it's empty then you'll be all OFF balance..."

"Right? Hm. How could we fix that?"

"Maybe a sack of potatoes..."

"I CAN EAT POTATOES!"

Dagmar chuckles. "Go check with Mom, so we have emergency travel taters. I'm going to finish this page, and then we can go."

"TOOOOOOVE!" Connor bellows, as he dashes towards the kitchen!

"Yeeess?" Tove answers

"We need some taters for the road, please!"

"Those. Are NOT. Like Road Apples." He informs her very seriously.

"You need potatoes?" She says "Ah... let me see" She finds a small bag, of about five potatoes "These?"

THey are raw and uncooked, not mashed , smashed, or boiled in a stew

He looks at the potatoes, and looks at Tove, and looks at the potatoes...

"Well, gee, Miss Tove. Those are awful nice looking potatoes." He finally says.

"I'm sorry Connor. I'm not understanding... " She says "Did you want them as Fries or... something?"

He tilts his head a bit. "...emergency travel tots?"

"Oh, " She says "Road trip food.. hold on" She soon prepares a travel mix of munchable that will last long, store well, yet still be tastey. Chex mix, bits of dried fruit, and turkey jerky

A big grin. "Them's some good taters, Miss Tove."

"Oh. What are you asking for from Santa? If it's not a secret?"

"I'm asking Santa that my Daughter and her Squire have a WONDERFUL Yule" she smiles "I think my wish may come true"

Mmm pooka boon hazy, try again?

"Well, yes, but you can't fit that in a SOCK." He gives her his best grin, and it's one he's practiced.

"Oh honey," She gives him a hug and melts a bit "I'm really okay. I'll find a new set of ear rings to replace the ones that got destroyed by the garbage disposal"

Earrings? Ear jewelry? Ears are sensitive things for some, but apparently Tove has tough lobes!

His tail wags as he hugs back. "A potato in every sock." He promises.

"Oh shush, now what are YOU wanting for Christmas or yule?"

He tilts his head the other way, considering. "Candy canes?"

"I think we can count on a few of those" She nods "And maybe more..."

"Sugar cookies?!"

"Mmm" A nod and a knowing smile

"Whoo! Okay. Me 'n Homework Girl are gonna go to the mall, okay? Only after she never finishes her papers." A sigh, he has been awful patient.

"Ah," Mmm She reaches into a jar "Here, a sugar cookie now for you have been SO patient" Sometimes mom types know the unspoken better than the spoken, at least for pooka

His tail flashes. "I couldn't possibly, I'm watching my figure..." Even as he holds out his hand.

She hands it over "Well then, you'll have to play and have fun later to stay in shape. Have fun!"

"I'm friend-shaped!" A grin, a chomp, and he's off to find Dagmar!