#bergen_county

She has a one piece swimsuit on "Not bad. I brought more food."

Indeed, the chili dogs are all gone.

"Good timing!" Then a little quieter, she points out, "See the new guy? His name's Joel, some kind of fish pooka. And...that's about all I know about him."

She nods "Fish pooka? Huh. Better keep him away from the grill"

"Ha. Yeah. But...I dunno. He's cute, but...maybe too cute?"

"You think he's a plant?" a whisper back

"Maybe. Or...well...see the colors of his swim trunks?"

"Green and yellow?"

"Yeah. Could mean nothing. Could mean Gwydion. Could mean...."

"LEanhaun..." A shudder "Let's hope for the 'nothing' part"

"Exactly."

"Just...keep eyes and ears open." A stretch. "In better news, check out the three musketeers," she says, indicating Sam, Lupe, and May. "Back together again."

Gerd does, and she grins "Oh look at them, joking around like old times. I was really worried about them"

"Yeah, me too. And it was tense for a little bit. But they worked through it. I think they're cool."

"Good" Gerd nods, "Lupe still looks tired, and May isn 't as vibrant as I remember, and ..well dags is still a bit fragile, but better. LIke they're each other's batteries"

"Huh. Maybe they'll get a chance to have a sleepover or something, recharge even more."

"Not a bad idea actually. Do college students 'HAVE' sleep overs?"

"Well, I figure these college students could!"

"Huh" Gerd grins

Siv comes in, looking ... well, she's got a bikini on but doesn't bother to remove her summer jacket. She looks about, sadly

She grins right back at Gerd, then notices Siv and the grin goes away. "Um...hey, Gerd, can you make sure the party keeps going? I've gotta talk to Siv."

"On it" Gerd says and moves to do so

"Thanks." Sylvi goes to join Siv. "Hey, you okay?" She walks Siv a little bit away from the party so they can speak quietly.

Siv shakes her head, "Piper's not here?"

"Um..." Sylvi looks around a bit, then bites her lip. "Not yet," she says carefully. "What happened?"

Siv sighs "Bit of a tiff in our throuple... everyone had a point. Everyone was going too far. It was... "

A sigh "Sorry, I shouldn't go into this." A weak smile "Thanks for trying to help. " A worried look "Piper was suppsoed to be here. Jonas is reading a book in our bedroom ..both are pissed"

"But...wait...is this about the..." she mouths the word baby.

Siv nods "in a round about way, but it goes back further than that"

"Oh. I'm sorry. I thought Jonas would be happy when he found out."

"He is..." Siv says a bit defensively "My man is not narrow minded he 's just too damn selfless and I..." A sigh "Sorry sorry. This was a mistake."

"No...no, not a mistake. Listen, I'm willing to listen if you need to talk, now or later. But I also think you could use a break from...whatever is going on. Come on...get some food. Maybe Piper will show up soon."

Siv tries to rally a smile, "Sylvi. you're a good person. And you're always willing to help. I'll probably text her and let he know where I am and hope she can join me etc. You go ahead, be awesome, have a blast. You haven't been around for awhile. Make this party count. I'm good, or.. I will be. WE will be." Then she adds "Adore you, Davidson... even if you don't quite grill right" a grin

forced a bit still but good

"Heyyy!" Offense on behalf of her family's grilling legacy...but then she gives Siv a hug. "It's gonna be okay. Join us when you're ready." She lets her go and returns to the party.

Siv hugs back "Will" Then goes to texting

Sylvi sees Gerd has gotten a limbo game going ... How low can you go? Sucks ify ou're tall

Sylvi nods and goes back to the rest of the party, and grins at the limbo. "Pass," she says with a laugh, and she gets herself a drink.

She looks around to check who else made it...and who didn't.

Jordan and Linwood are talking to Ives and Eulalie. Ramona is talking to Lucia. Joel is talking to everyone

Good. She was thinking Jordan and Ives, especially, might bail out. She goes over to that group to check in with them. "Hey! You all doing okay?"

"Just avoiding the thick part of the crowd" Jordan says "Not sure why Ives is here. We're having a good non conversation, right Ives?"

"Yup" Ives nods

"See. Man talk" Jordan smirks

Eulaie rolls her eyes

"And woman talk" Jordan adds at the eye roll

Sylvi grins. "Sometimes the best kind of conversation. I'm just glad you're here."

"Really? " Jordan looks surprised

She folds her arms and gives him a sassy look. "You know, you love that image of everybody-hates-me...but when's the last time you actually heard anybody around here complain about your attitude?"

"To be fair, I don't talk to folks that much" He points out.