#bergen_county

"I'm going to be coming home!"

"Then you're not LEAVING HIM." Symon says with a small smirk.

"But he's going to be hurt, anyways."

"Maybe you're underestimating him. You know I see a lot around here. Right? He's changed. Being a squire was good for him. He wants to be like you. Or BE you. But that's not all. Lily... she thinks the world of him, though she'd never admit it out loud. Jack and Layne look to him as their leader. Most of the adults tend to take him for granted and treat him like a kid... but he's not a kid. He's a Childling, and a smart one. Maybe giving him a little slack on the leash without setting him loose entirely is just the thing to give him room to grow."

Symon frowns, "And I'll never admit I said a word of this, by the way. Still think he's obnoxiously cute."

"I know, I know. I try really hard not to talk about you, yeah?"

"I... I kind of thought knighting would be after a quest, maybe."

"Something momentous for him, not... me?"

"Mm. Well, you should talk to him. Soon. If you have this conversation AFTER you move out, I can probably bet it will go worse."

Sigh.

"You're right, but I don't have to like it."

"Why don't you go by the lodge now? I can wait to drop these boxes off."

She rubs the back of her neck. "Guess I can't avoid it forever."

"Uh, Dagmar? I wanted to mention. There's something big going down, in the dreaming. I didn't mean to keep it from you, but wasn't sure if it would involve you. But if you go to the lodge, it might come up. It involves Adam. I just wanted to give you a head's up. I know he's not your favorite topic."

"...Adam?" A slow blink.

"Yeah. You don't have to be involved, but... just a head's up."

"I didn't want you to get blindsided."

"Is he back from that Dreaming quest?"

"No, he's gone and bungled things up and needs to be rescued, as far as I can tell."

Snort.

"Right?"

"I'm not rescuing him."

"Nope. Me either. To be honest, I said to lock the door behind him so he doesn't bring trouble home. If it weren't for Lily's sake... and it were up to me? I'd do it, too."

"I know Lily cares about her brother. You don't think she'll try to go into the Dreaming after him?"

"Yeah, that's the only reason I'm involved. To try to keep her out of it. You might want to check with Connor, too. He listens too goddamn much. If he thinks she's in danger, he might trot right into the battlefield or whatever."

Sigh. Nod.

"Want me to come by with you?"

"I can do it myself. But thanks for the offer."

“Text me if anything comes up. and this stuff? No rush, just drop it off next time you go by the new place.”

"Can't believe it's just a week..."

“Yeah. Things will be different. Maybe good though.”

"God, I hope so."

A pause. "I'm glad I'm not doing this alone."

"Me too. I don't think I would be, honestly."

He waves as Dagmar heads off. "Not envying her that conversation. Then agian... I have to convince a cat to play nice."

(Scene!)

**********************

Brekke is walking away from the Lodge as Siv and Piper arrive. She looks very preoccupied.

"Hey, mom"

She looks up and blinks. Then, "Siv, you are back. Hello, Piper."

Piper shuffles her hooves a little. "Chieftain? I have something I wanted to give you. It might not help, but... it might? If it does, then that would be good."

She looks puzzled. "Something to help with what?"

"Adam."

She looks a bit uncomfortable.

Her brows raise. "You know, then."

Siv stops and looks.. surprised

"Not the details. Just that he's in the dreaming, and needs help." A glance up at Siv. "Siv didn't spill the beans, honest."

"Who did?" Brekke asks a bit wearily.

"I didn't" Siv agrees, but still looks surprised Dagmar knows "So that's what Symon talked to you about" true

"I shouldn't s-" Siv spills it. "Well, yeah."

"Ah." She nods. "Then...what is it that you have, Piper?"