#bergen_county

Symon fidgets uncomfortably as he speaks with his father. There is love there, of course, but always a vague sense of formality, and uncertainty, especially as he tries to ask for a favor.

"Yes, Appa." Perhaps the Korean will sweeten him. "The scholarship is enough to covered tuition, and books, and Ann Marie sent what we needed for my part of the rent. But... I just need an advance." His soft spoken son doesn't quite meet the elder's gaze, which is not unusual. Such a shy boy, but Bruce thought he would grow out of it. Certainly by NOW, now that he's in College. Even if he did go to a community school when he could well have done better.

Dr. Lee listens with concern "An advance. What about dorm rooms?"

Symon tries not to recoil visibly. "I find that a private rental is much more conducive to study, as well as not bothering dormmates with coming and going during odd residency hours."

"How have your grades been so far at Rutgers?"

"Good..." He hedges, "There is a learning curve from High School, to be certain. I am really enjoying the hands-on learning. Rooming with the Kings also helps, as Sylvia and Sam are able to help with review on the subjects that are less intuitive, and I am able to help them with mathematics."

"Miss Davidson always struck me as a touch flighty until I met her, and realized she is a young lady with some ambitions...and Sam is a hard worker. A good influence on you I think, " He has to admit that much "Your mother has told me it is good you have some friends." He considers this "My adeul, my son, I know you think me too firm at times. I want only the best for you. I am not sure this is the best.. not because of your friends, but why do you need more money? You should have been given ample for all you needed alreaedy" A brow "Symon, are you in some trouble? Your Uncle had a weakness for games of chance. You haven't gotten into gambling have you? I know you like games"

He squirms - not the sluagh kind, but the kind that happens when under scrutiny that might as well be a microscope - or his Dad peering at him as though wondering if he sees something that needs to be excised by scalpel from an open incision.

"Just... social... obligations. You know. No, appa. I learned from Uncle Kim's example." A wince, remembering his mother's brother coming home reeking of Soju and begging for enough money to avoid reneging on debts with unsavory fellows. Symon shakes his head, none of THAT.

It's still something of a mystery how Bruce got his brother out of the trouble fully. Still, his doctor father looks relieved to hear that his son has not fallen into that trap, "Tell me more of these 'social obligations'. Sam and Sylvia do not strike me as the sort to demand more money from you than is their due"

"It's for..." He squirms more, uncomfortable. "You know. Going out... with, uh. people. Friends. Dinner... movies..."

A surprised look crosses his father's features for a moment before it is carefully veiled anew "I am pleased you're making connections, Symon. But that's not my priority for your education." he steeples his fingers "Here is what I offer. Get a part time job. For every dollar you make, I will add 50 cents. Obviously I'll need to see your paychecks. This means you will make half and again as much as whatever job would usually allow. As a sign of good faith, I will give you a three hundred dollar head start. Use it to get a suit or whatever else you need to make a good impression in the job hunt. THis should aid you on many levels"

Symon tempers his disappointment, he's good at hiding emotion, under a properly respectful bowed head. "Thank you, appa. I'll see what summer jobs are available. If I might ask..." He ventures once more. "Don't tell Ann Marie, specifically, why I needed money? She might feel bad. Or... curious? Um. I'm not sure... yet..." Is he blushing? "I want to introduce you to my... uh. My friend. A friend. But I'm not quite ready."

"My son, I.. forgive me. I was under the impression you were ah..." His father looks uncomfortable "Uninterested in romance. Has that changed?"

Oh, it's good that Symon's head is ducked, but his pale ears still blaze bright pink. "It's not that I'm not... That is... uh.." He grasps for a word... "Companionship, and... and Libido are m-mutually exclusive...."

"Ah, I see" He does not see but his wife wants him to support their son in this. "Fine. Use the three hundred as you see fit then. I shall not tell your mother of this. It's true, she would try to help you, which is not bad per se, but she would also ...well, she likes to involve herself. And I think that is not what you want, not yet"

His ears burning, he nods emphatically. "I'll go job hunting today."

Seeking a quick topic change, "How is Cleo settling in? Did she end up rooming in the basement suite?" Knowing that they were tight on rooms. "I can see if they have space over at the... guest house that the Davidson's run. It's just for the summer, but Dirk probably doesn't want to bunk up again."

"Cleo is doing well, much better than she was. A troubled child in her way. No she was not in your basement. Dirk moved down there for a time... but you need not go to the guest house. You'll go back to your basement. Dirk will return to his old room, and we will make a project of touching up the 'she shed' for Cleo who is old enough and will love making it hers"

"She doesn't mind being out there? I wouldn't mind the shed myself." He offers, "Assuming it has blacklight curtains. She... the kid, she deserves a break."

A look at his son , pride threatening to show , "Perhaps that's one thing we SHOULD include your mother in on? The plans for your room? I know she wants you close though. She has missed you terribly. "

He mutters, "That's what I'm afraid of..." But gives his father a small, thin lipped smile to show that it's... at least mostly... in jest. "Has Dirk been around? Not that I've missed him."

"mMPH, Dirk has kept himself busy. At first I thought it was to avoid Cleo but no... he still shows up for most meals, of course"

"Of course. Well, I suppose I'll see him when I see him. What time for dinner? I know Ann Marie will be upset if I miss it."

"Six thirty" He says "And she would be"

Symon hears shuffling about in the hall bathroom. Dirk?

He nods. "I'll be back by then." And he heads down the hallway - is the bathroom door closed?

Not entirely.. through a narrow crack he can see Dirk , who looks bruised, tending to a busted lip. Looks fresh

Symon gives the door a little push. "Don't let Ann Marie see that." He says in a whisper, "Or she'll fuss like there's no tomorrow. What does the other guy look like?"

"Tall blue, with poofy hair from hell" Dirk answers "God trolls are a pain in the ass. Still not sure why I stepped into that . Serve Sylvi right if I DID let Dagmar kill her in a rage"

A blink, and his eyes narrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Two giantesses reaady to tear each other apart. Kind of sexy in a 'if glaciers were colliding to murder each other way' " A frown "I hear yelling right? In Goldfinch, technically above the hold. Sounds bad..." And he relates everything that happened from him coming in all the way to him going out

Symon listens. Did Dirk get a grasp about what the fight was about, or just that they were at each other's throats?

Meanwhile, slender fingers are sending a quick text.

"I know she insulted Dagmars honor cause that's what sets gwydions off, but I also know Sylvi 's not stupid... so there was like reason for it? I THOUGHT I Heard the word coward but i'm not sure. Some mention about 'we don't care about mortals' and a mention of some big dreamer? Sneering like"

"For fucks sake." Symon shakes his head, then leans in, giving a critical look at Dirk. "Put a bag of frozen peas on that shiner, if you can't heal it before dinner. I'll back you up if you say it was... " Thinking fast. "Sports injury. Basketball to the face."

Steak would be better, but he can't trust the redcap not to eat it, and then what would be for dinner?

"Hey, scars from fights with trolls are badass. " He looks in the mirror "mm mom will fuss though"

"Yeah."

"She's not home now. Dad's in the den though."

Tapping at his phone even as he talks to Dirk.

"Dad will tell me he TAUGHT Me how to keep my guard up so what the hell? " A sigh "Can't win. Damn it. If I used teeth I might have won. Instead I had to try to convince Dagmar she won, I surrendered... and act like my dick fell off. Sometimes I think I was happier BEFORE folks talked me into using my brain"

"Maybe, but you have more teeth now. And that has to equate to 'cap happiness in some extent, right?" The Sluagh reasons.

Frowning down at his phone.

"A little" He says then notes the phone "You getting the cold shoulder? Try texting Sylvi if she don't answer"

A scowl as his phone buzzes silently.

"Peas. And ibuprofen. Not that you care if it hurts, but it's an anti-infla- It will make the swelling go down some. See you at dinner." Symon turns and slinks out. As he goes, he whistles low for Lovecraft.

Lovecraft attacks his ankles to show she is not summoned without cost, but it's a brief attack and then she paces along

Dirk mutters "later " And goes to get the aspirin and peas

Meanwhile, he digs in his backpack and pulls out the (previously snoozing) ghostly feathered snake. He pauses, setting Quetz down and whispering to them both. "Hey. I need you to find Dagmar. Quetz, you check the lodge. Watch out for Kerri - I know it's fun, but try not to spook anyone. Lovey," He gives her a placating scratch on the chin, then jerks back before she can scratch, "Check the stables? The horses will tolerate you, they won't a snake." Looking them both over. "Please."

Quetz hisses nods, and then ghost snakes to the mission

"If you find her, come back and let me know. I know you can find me when you need to." He whispers as the snake slithers off.

Lovecraft ponders then tail lashing, she g oes on the hunt amid horses