#bergen_county

Connor is deeply engrossed in his project. Construction paper, and glue, and safety scissors. He presses two colorful pieces together, and then is considering the glitter - OUTside, mind you, he knows better than to open THAT tube within the hold proper. Adding Glitter to the Balefire on Beltane, even with glamour along side, did not hurt the fire, but specks of colorful stuff can still be found around the hold, and, it is feared, will continue to be found for ages to come.

Star leans over the paddock fence to see what he's doing - but soon realizes that the boy has no snacks, and she wanders off to sample some summer clover.

Spark, ever curious, sticks his nose closer, and gets a construction paper piece stuck to his nose. A snort, and he backs up rapidly, bucking, until it falls loose. Then, he nibbles at it. It is the color and shape, roughly, of a flower, but it doesn't taste like much!

"I need that!" Connor gently scolds the colt - a yearling now, gangly and tall with growth.

Retrieving the paper flower, Connor carefully smears it with Elmer's glue and smooshes it onto the folded card.

/roll coin

He decides yes on the glitter, and gives it a careful sprinkle... and then, on second though, adds more, until the entire page shimmers.

Granted, as soon as he picks it up, half the glitter falls onto his lap and the grass, but still, a lot of it sticks and sparkles in the sunlight.

"Hey" Gerd inquires from nearby "How goes, little bro"

"A..a...achoo!" He sneezes, and a spray of glitter threatens Gerd!

"Ack" She jumps back with eexagerated fashion

He rubs his nose sheepishly. "Working on a card. It's for Stormwake, from Spark." He shows Gerd, it's rather messy, but colorful, construction paper with flowers glued on. Both paper, and some real ones, dandelions and such.

"Oh." A nod, she takes a seat near him "I was thinking. You know how good I am at getting folks where they need to be? WHile there's a trod that goes closer to Silverwolf now, I still am availble for Big sister flicker flash services there if.. oh you wanted to see someone? Talk to him?"

"I -should-. Right?"

"Mm I am not always your dad's biggest fan, BUT... he was under a wicked spell. That means for a while he was trapped. He might have been trapped longer if not for your faith in the good. And I think, you worked so hard to know him when you couldn't, that now that you can, you might be cheating yourself not to. "

A fidget. "I'm sure he wants to see me. What if he... you know, he got fixed? What if he got over it?"

"Oh dear. Look, Dagmar is a great role model, but there are some insecurities of hers you do not need to be adopting for your own" She looks over at him "Ailil think they are the best. They hate admiting when they're wrong. BUT they are quite capable of love of different types. Including for sons. Now I'm not going to tell you how he's going to act when you get there, but I think THIS is the time when my little brother's bright side eyes should shine. Sides, you're Lord HOwlington, Leader of the Shadowpaw Clan; you believe with a fierceness. Do you really want to lose that part of yourself so young?"

"Nuh-uh." He nods, looking reassured. "Did I use too much glitter? Or not enough? It had to be silver."

"I think you got it just right" She nods "And he'll appreiccate the thought"

A wag of his tail. "Look how big Spark is gotten. He's taller'n me now!"

"I know, hard to believe " She agrees "He's still young at heart though. A bit like you there"

A worried look. "Not forever, though, right? He WILL grown up all the way?" Looking over at Spark.

"In the end, Time sculpts us all, some slower than others, but one day a magnificent grown up will be there, powered by the love he got when young, and lessons learned from high adventure of youth. "

"Oh." He says, not quite understanding, but he smiles. "Dagmar wants me to ride him. I gotta, too. So that I keep up when she's on Star. I like riding with her, but she can't fight with me on the back."

"So it's important that we ride. Spark likes to kick the saddle off though. He thinks it's a game!"

"He's a playful one. In this area, I trust Dagmar to be better with horse training than I am. " She takes his hand "Do you want to help me make a father's day cake for your dad? " She might have a cake in the kitchen already half done

"Cake??" His ears go up. "I didn't know it was a CAKE day!"

"You know, neither did I.." She says "I started to make one, then I realized "Oh my gosh, I'm making a cake. What am I going to do with a cake?' then I realized, if someone, not saying who, helped me with the frosting and icing and maybe even words on top of it, it MIGHT make a good father's day cake for .. somebody. But where am I going to find someone who not only helps me put on the frosting and words, but also licks the cooking utensils clean? Can't have left over frosting on that stuff. It's bad luck"

"The WORST of luck." He gasps.

"Right. So... know anyone who would help with that?"

He looks intent as her considers, then offers, "Spark?"

"Not allowed in the kitchen, I asked." She snaps her fingers as if just now getting an idea "But wait. You will b e riding spark. I think that duty then falls on you. Will soldier on and help me with the cake?"

"Oh! I suppose. Dagmar is off on an adventure with Symon and the Kings. They are seeking further patronage for Knighthood in the county of Wufgers."

"Yeah" Gerd notes a bit wistfully , not mentioning how left behind they're both likely to feel, and in fact she realizes she needs to put a positive spin "Dagmar is going to kick ass, with Symon at her side she always does. They're a good team. We'll cheer them on" She guides him to the kitchen "Well, quietly in Symon's case. Have you met Cleo yet?"

He considers, then answers, dubiously, "Of course?"

"Oh, she's a nice girl, a boggan, but been through a lot. I bet she might make a good friend or maybe at least coudl use one"

Soon, frosting and icing are being made, with Connor helping pick colors

"I 'spose it should be silver, but white is nice too. And pink... and green, and blue..."

She nods "Well white is sometimes used for Argent in heraldry, and if that's okay then maybe Pink is the new black. Trust your feelings, Luke" She star wars it

He adds colorful swirls. It's a bit messy.

"Excellent. It's like a sun kind of, and we know he likes those fine" Mind you, it might look more like a Froot loop mulitplying than a sun but meh

"Yeah? Yeah! I think.. it's done." A nod.

She straightens a few things out, but yes, soon a cake is ready "Oh, please clean off that laddle. The bad luck must be stopped"

"Mmmm!" He helps!

Spoons, spinners, and ladle! It's a good thing Connor is here to handle this. Not just anyone could

He is still licking frosting off his fingers when the phone closet clamors for attention. Brrrrrrrring!

Gerd picks it up "Hello? Gerd Gardener speaking"

A moment of silence, concentration, and considering, then, "Gerd Gardener, this is Alan Lowell. I am calling to speak with Connor, if I may."

"Oh," Surprised, then a smile "Of course Mister LOwell. Be just a moment. Sorry for the delay" She puts the phone down and gets a cloth to help Connor wipe his fingers "YOu're gonna want to talk to the phone there, Connor" A whisper "it's your dad"