#bergen_county

Another day, another census check. Dagmar is in the woods, feeling pretty good. Her friends are doing well and so is she

Demetra turned out to be old but have some pretty handy cantrips and it looks like mom is leaning that way.

As she's kenning, she hears a familiar voice "Little Thunder, are you on some sort of Hunt?"

Klump greets her

"Klump!"

A deep chuckle, rumbling and grinding "It has been too long"

She pats Star's neck, reassuring the horse.

"I have been away. I am going to school, now."

"School's not so far away" he says confused "or did it move? " He may think she's still in highschool

"No, a new school. College."

"It's summer, so I am home. I thought I could be home more during the year, but it was... hard."

"You have a lot of stone in you, uprooting is hard" Sympathy "But when I said long time, I meant by meat standards, and... because I like you. For me, it was not that long, but you were missed. Do not let it troulbe you though. Dreaming willing, I'll be here to say hello to your grand children should any ever come to you. Still, this new place? It has some good I hope?"

"Some good!"

"It's... hard, and I miss home. There wasn't a place that was home before here, not really."

Klump doesn't tell her that it's good to adapt, or that home is always here waiting for her to try to tell her not to feel bad. He just lets her feel bad and sympathizes if that's what she wishes. He is stone . He understands "movement can be exhausting." A nod "You may rest near my rock anytime if that helps."

Then a curious lift "Ah, but you and your horse did not come here to see me. What were you doing? Some quest?"

"We're doing work for the Count - there's a call for a survey of all the sentient chimera."

"Your anchor, of course, is a secret that I promised to keep. Part of why I volunteered to take this part of the barony."

"You are a good friend" A pleased long look

"It would be nice if I have grandkids that will still be here, and could meet you."

"I would like that if it pleases you" Then Klump says "Ah, but I can help you in the here and now with this census if you like?"

"Maybe adopted, because I don't know if I am gonna ever, y'know, be together with anyone. Oh! Siv is having a baby! Well, Siv and Piper and Jonas. It's complicated."

"You dreams of flesh and blood are very complicated, but I like you anyway. " A grin "Little hills among mountains. A delight."

"You should see how big CJ is getting."

"I know it is too early to tell if he'll be a changeling or not. I hope he is, but, well, Sally Mae is kin and she does okay? And the Wayburtons manage it, too."

"Indeed. Your kinain as you call them handle the banal world much better than you or I. Even if he is not a giant such as you, I am sure he will help protect his mother and father ihn other ways. Perhaps I will visit" He moves with her and Star "Much newness this year it seems. Did you know the Skywolves are spreading and one of them has had cubs? They must go to new hunting grounds eventually. Too many here will hunt things out"

"Cubs? Oh! I didn't know!"

"They will do good to spread. Maybe they can find safe places to the North - I think Silverwolf might offer protection."

"I believe some are thinking of settling in.." He names the direction of Rutgers

"Really?"

Firmly. "I can protect them, there."

"They have fangs, little thunder" he reminds but smiles, his teeth like tiny flat rocks in a gaping grin "But yes, I am sure you could. Perhaps they went there because they knew one ally was at the area. They trust you, it is true. But you ever had a love of the dreaming."

"And all of it's creatures"

"It's hard not to love critters."

"What about bugs?" He eyes fly swatter

"Well. Bugs are better away from me."

"Not all are bad. This one is rather pretty. it started out as a caterpillar" He leads her about and then to a redoak, and... she sees it

The mirror butterfly flutters.. and Looks a LOT like, though not identical, to one that used to pursue Piper

Maybe it had an offspring?

"Oh, I hope Piper doesn't see that. It might upset her."

"But it IS pretty."

"It is.. I will try to keep it content in the thick of this wood if you like? "

"Probably for the best."

"Indeed. Here... there is another I am not sure you have seen.." He motions her to follow

She does!

And she hears music, a violin, from a tree,, a tune called Swallowtail Jig, though she may not know that

And as she comes into view of the fellow, she sees the chimera,a little grig!

Grin!