#bergen_county

“Food helps diffuse tension.”

TXT: 🍕

"Smart."

“Hey, idea.” He texts Zane directly, and CC’s Dagmar.

TXT: Pizza, b4 party. Need a :male_mage: advice. U game?

TXT: Is a sluagh's statue forever?

Txt: That's a yes

TXT: :face_with_rolling_eyes:

“Two birds, one stone.” To Dagmar.

"Yeah. Might want to enchant Lupe when it's time. Eases explanations. She knows a fair amount, because prodigal, but..."

"She remembers more, enchanted."

“Good thinking. How’s your dross?”

"Um. Okay. Enough."

“I can get some from Dirk if that might appeal better to her, uh, nature..”

"Rutgers is different, and... well, I guess maybe I haven't... I don't like thinking about May like that, like I'm using her? But between not having a fire, and... yeah."

“Getting Glamour from dreamers is like, a bonus. It’s a… side product, to encouraging their dreams. Look at it that way, and not like, you know, livestock.” He nods. “Or prey. That’s what draws the line.”

A glower. "If I see that Dyana..."

“When. We need to make sure when May goes back, she doesn’t swoop back in.”

“There are plenty of writers who LIKE horror. No need to push someone who isn’t geared for it.”

A complicated expression, the tangle of guilt-blame-shame welling up. "Yeah, gotta make sure we have her back."

“Having someone local keep an eye on her for you doesn’t mean she’s not still your friend, your dreamer. Like…” He considers. “When Connor goes to Silverwolf, you trust that troll knight and that jouster up there to keep an eye on him, right? But he’s still YOUR squire.”

"Oh, D and Gladiola are good people. But yeah."

A shaky laugh. "I can't believe I haven't fucked things up with him, too, but I'm glad I haven't."

"I don't think I have."

“He thinks your shit don’t stink. Lilly talks about him. She says he’s a good egg, so you’re not doing too bad.”

"He's a good kid. I am glad that things are better for him with his family, these days." She chews on her lip, looking at the text.

She sends off the texts. "You ever feel like you've thrown off a hand grenade in your own life?"

A huff, and she shows Symon the exchange with Sylvi.

“Me, never. Slow poison only.” He nods.

To Lupe: TXT:?

"Fair enough."

Txt from Lupe, private TXT Hey girl, missed you. Been sO busy

(Lupe) TXT: Missed u

Symon sits back, pleased. “I should get going. Want me to send Cleo over with some leftovers from Dinner? Fresh ones.” He clarifies.

Siiigh.

(Sam) TXT: Sure . See you on the 5th or you need sooner?

"Yeah, I don't think I am up to Ann Marie's boggandar."

"Bad enough the Chief knows, right?"

TXT: Sooner

“Oof.” He winces sympathetically.

“Just let me know where to be for pizza.”

"Had to tell the CHief about my temper, and, well, you can't lie to Chief."

Lupe texts back to Sam TXT: Where? When?

TXT: [time?] @ [the pizza place the pack likes]?

TXT: Deal! First slice on me

TXT: 👍

TXT: Amazons... OUUUUUTTT She says an old farewell