#bergen_county

"I... oh, I mean, that'd be mean. If he's still alive?"

Sadly locked in a gight grip

"They don't, but it'd be funny to see them being extra moon-eyed."

"You'd have to, uh." His cheeks flush a mottled grey. "..make sure there was a sitter handy."

"Well, why do you think I'm watching CJ now? They're at a movie."

"Oh. Right." He drops his gaze to his feet... but it's only for a moment or two before he's looking up at her again.

"C'mon, let's see if he fits. I won't cut him up, but..." She shrugs. "Bet he's less dangerous on the fifteenth."

"Yeah, like Lovecraft on Halloween, she suddenly thinks she's hot shit."

Smirk. "I bet."

Symon cracks the freezer open. "Hey, is this that risotto that you were talking about?" Looking at a frozen container. "Should stick some under the radiator for me for a bit." He shifts frozen foods around, trying to make room. Of course, the way he keeps sneaking glances back at Dagmar, he almost fumbles and drops a 2-lb brick of frozen beef on his toes.. but manages to catch it at the last minute.

"Oh, sure. Hand it over, I can do that. I mean, mushrooms are already sorta sluagh friendly, right?"

Dagmar seems oblivious to the glances. It's Symon, her best friend.

"Yeah, they are kept in the dark and the damp... practically relatives."

"See, if med school doesn't work out, you could start a fungi farm."

"I been thinking about that. I.. I think I'd like to go for it. It might be useful in the future. But... only if you're going, too. I'm not going to leave you behind, ever."

She bites on her lip. "I dunno if I can cut it."

They can make room for CUpid Sniper

She shoves the chimera into the deep freezer. "I mean, I get A's in gym and shop. But otherwise?"

"If you want to go, I'll make sure you get in." He says, earnestly. "I wouldn't even fudge the grades. I mean, I could, easily. But I know you're on the up and up. We can do tutoring together... study... I'll make the time. As much time as you need...."

She flashes a smile at him. "I know you're the best."

His cheeks go purple.

"And... not gonna lie, the idea is a lot less scary with you going with me."

"The idea of life without you is what's scary." He says, before he can even think about it.

"We're a team, right?"

Shrug. "Well, I'm there for you too." With that stolid trollish assurance. It's a fact, as much as the ground is solid and the sky is blue.

A slow realization creeps over his face as he considers his words, and he shuffles backwards, looking somewhat mortified. "I... I should go."

"Uh... sure? How about we thaw this guy tomorrow and see what happens?"

A beat. "If he IS dead, you could stuff him."

"Yeah, sorry, I just... " He coughs a bit, and there's a pathetic wheeze. "I think I'm coming down with something, I don't want you to get sick..."

Brow furrow.

"You do look kinda more purple than normal."

Frantic nodding.

"Maybe we should get you to the lodge? Kerri might have something."

His eyes boggle out a bit, and he splutters a bit, which in turn does make him cough...

"Yeah, c'mon. We can take the bike if you don't feel great."

"Unngmmm..." Torn ... he wants to decline, but - riding behind Dagmar on the motorcycle? Something twinges in his withered little heart.

"I... guess?"

"Kerri can fix anything." Confident.

He nods, and if he's awkward and fumbling as he clings to her sides for the blessedly, damnably short ride, who's to notice?

Dagmar doesn't. She's reassuringly solid, a rock to hold on to. She drives slowly & carefully, out of concern for her friend.

---gone to lodge!---