#bergen_county

"It's this part of me nobdyusesso it tried to kILL me" Otto says, then whispers "Are you here to get your tail cut?"

May takes the cookie and savors "mm always so goood"

And cookies for May!

Connor knows how to look ways-side, and eye-cocked. And.. oh oh oh... Otto has't been weaned ye

"Sam. Sam. Saaaaaaaaaaaaaam." He repeats, whispering with some urgency.

"Connor?"

"Otto is sleepy. But he can't wake up. Not HERE."

He tugs at her coat hem, and nods towards the boy who has just drawn a crayon picture of a boy with dog ears...

May and Lulu chat

BROW.

Kenning!

tthere's a faee in side Otto

"Hunh."

"Connor, how long is your new friend in here for?"

"He had to fight a dread Penderghast."

"I mean. Um."

Frustrated look.

"Otto, did they steal your table of contents already?"

"Apendix...they took it. I'm supposta leave tomorrow..."

A nurse approaches

"Tomorrow? Well, that's a win."

"Connor, maybe we can get you a playdate with Otto later."

"Ahem" the nurse, a bit gray but not unbearably so says "Children, this is a hospital, not a playground. Back to the children's wards"

Sam grimaces just a little.

"Okay." He nods and winks to Sam... and allows himself to be herded back with the others! At least, long enough to sneak a peeksy at Otto's chart.

Hoping to see full name, address...

And that works

"Gee, You really oughtto hang out we me another time, maybe?" He asks, hopeful.

"Well, gosh I guess.." Otto says then whispers "I won't tell them you have a t-a-i-l"

"Oh, I have all sorts of tales." He grins, tail wagging. Whispering, "It's a magical tail. You ever heard of the Emperor's New Clothes? Well, I am secretly a Prince, Prince of the Shadowpaw Kingdom, and only those pure of heart can see my tail. It's a symbol of royalty."

"Sam, in the other room? The tall lady, bluey? She is my most noblerest Knight. We will come to you later, and show you the way to my kingdom!"

'Sam?" May asks "you okay? you look distracted"

"royalty?" Otto beams

"Huh? Sorry."

"You can join us, you know. But, I must not tarry, my noble retainer awaits." Connor shows Otto the secret shadowpaw handshake, the one that not even DAGMAR knows!

Otto gives it, annd threatens to break out right there

"Be brave! We will find you soon!" Connor wants to give him something as a promise.. but he knows better than to hand over any enchantment in a banal place. So he settles on a promise and a pawshake, and returns to Dagmar!

"I got lost looking for the bathroom." He says as he trots back in. Nevermind that May's room has a bathroom.

She rumples his hair. "Well, I'm sure you found what you needed to."

Wait, one of them was supposed to find something? Mmm

"I washed my hands!" He nods to Sam. "Is May feeling better?"

"Well, did she eat Kerri's cookies, hmm?"

Nod nod!

"Visiting time is over, " A nurse returns

"Already?"

"Well, shortly" A frown. Okay, 15 more minutes but she hoped to get a head start

Connor tucks the rest of the baggie under May's pillow, pretending to fluff it. He whispers to her, "Those must LAST. No more than one a day, or I won't bring you any more!"

"Thanks" May whispers

Lupe moves by Sam's side "Later, May."

"By, Lulu" A wave "Sam, thank you so much"