#bergen_county

"Yep." A quiet grin as the pair pull into the CROWDED parking lot.

indeed, folks run around, rush around.

And for once, Connor is unremarkable in the crowd - if anything, Sam stands out with her tall and broad frame.

Indeed, Connor is just another cute kid, in a crowd that has a lot of cute kids, many here hoping to see Santa

Sam does hold out her hand for Connor to take.

He finds himself... intimidated. SO MANY people. His ears and tail may no longer be visible to Mortals, but Dagmar can see how the tail tucks between his legs and ears lay back a bit as they work through the crowd.

Fortunately, there's nothing and no one quite like a troll for making a hole in the crowd. Folks tend toget out of their way for the same reason they sometimes pause for large vehicles or step back for falling trees. With Sam's hand in his, they enter the mall and have a kind of gap in the crowd, an island of peace amid the chaos

Still, SO many people

His nose twitches. Food court! Pretzel Stand! So many snacks and options...

Almost overwhelming, the smells of so many new people and things.

Corn Dogs!

CORN DOGS?! He tugs at Sam's hand!

"Yeah, kiddo?"

"I smell... I smell... hot dogs, but more?!"

"Ahh, okay. You want those now, or do you want them after we do things?"

"BOTH?!"

She shakes her head. "I'll get you corn dogs, but just once. And I think somebody just had Tove-snacks before we left..."

He grins. "Shop first, corn dogs after?"

He looks around. Mostly he will make cards or homemade ornaments... glue and glitter and pinecones are a favorite. But for a few people, he would very much like to buy a present. Some say that homemade is more thoughtful, but to a boy who has never been able to go shopping before, this is a special occasion. And so, he is on the lookout for presents for Jack and Lily, for Gerd and Dagmar, and for Tove. Every friend is special to him, but some people are a bit extra special.

"Sounds like a plan. I might get a corn dog, too. Okay... the Five-Dollar store?"

Nod nod! "I have five dollars!"

"Great!" She leads the way there - of course, there are many stores! Ones with shiny gems, with candles that smell, with clothes, with books, with toys...

"Maawwwwmmm" one child, a mortal girl says "If I don't get the Pretty Posey Pony I'll DIE... Angie's mother is getting HER one...."

A beleagured woman sighs "Princess, those are awfully over priced, there are toys just like it at this other store"

"NO!" Foot stomp, "It has to be have Tripple P, or it's crap!" The 8 year old yells

An eye-roll from Sam.

That's when the girl seems to light up, not easy, because she's not exactly unbanal, for her age, but clearly, someone, or something, just enchanted her!

And shadows move along the mall floor that only Sam and Connor can see... and the little girl who was this close to throwing a tantrum

THe shadow takes the form of a dark and angry horse, that stamps back at her! Looming, no pony this

She swallows "Ah.. uhmmmm mom?"

"Yes, Princess, you want a pony, I know" The mother sounds defeated

Sam kenns, as she scans the crowd. Lily, maybe?

Sluagh are so sneaky

Sam looks about and ... only because the woman is not hiding does she see her, there on the far edge of the crowd, it's the new ASL teacher from school. What was her name again? Something slavic, but her fae name was Miss Wisdom? the sluagh gestures as if pulling a marionette, and the girl gulps and backs up

"I don't think I want a ... a Pretty Posey Pony...." the child says

The horse nods, then looks to the mother, and stamps again.. as if to say 'AND?'

"And I'm sorry for being angry to you" the girl adds

At that admission, the Shadow Stallion seems to shed it's flesh, leaving only a shadow skelton of a horse... and it bows to 'Princess' . A frightening affirmation she has done well

and then it is gone

Connor is wide eyed.

He whispers to DAgmar. "I do not want a pretty posey pony EITHER."

"That seems fair. But look!" A nodat the discount store.

And yes, there it is, the 5 dollar store!

Connor heads that way, 'dragging' Sam behind him.

"whoooah, okay..."

There are actually a lot of good deals on things here, if a little out of date. Hannakah socks that didn't sell , a stuffed animal turkey that didn't sell on T day. Halloween costumes

in addition to the usual knick knacks

Halloween! He goes seeking something... spooky! Maybe a bag of spiders, or a witchy looking piece of attire?

Not to mention All Kinds of CANDY.

He swallows, hard. Must... be strong... we are looking for PRESENTS. Not ooey chewy caramels, fruity-licious bubble blaster gumballs, or pop rocks...