#bergen_county

Tap tap tappity tap. Writing a text.

Staring at it.

Tap tap. Deleted. Unsent.

Odin observes this. Tempted to swat at the fingers. To show he cares, of course

She scritches his ears.

He leans into it, and in doing so, makes her feel better. Such is the magic of cats. Even if it is only a LITTLe better

A knock on her door.

"Yeah?"

"Gerd. Sorry if I'm intruding." Says Gerd's voice "Your dad said I could knock on your door to see if you were in."

No doubt Jaymes did not confirm his daughter WAS home, so Sam would have the option of being alone. Jaymes is a good dad and knows his daughter sometimes wants her space

A moment, and heavy footsteps before the door opens. Sam is barefoot, in a tank top and basketball shorts with a hoodie hastily toosed on to cover her arms.

"Did you guys get your share of Roc meat?" She says then asks "Did you hear about the roc?"

"I... heard that a Roc was killed?"

"They're big, and rare. I've never seen a live one."

"Yeah," She stops and looks about then says "And .. it came after me. Dagmar... I couldn't flicker flash out of it"

A frown.

"They have anti-cantrip charms?"

"Wards maybe? I don't know. I've been blocked by a Chimera's grip before" She confesses, "Someone is after ME, and ..frankly? I know what is likely to happen. Folks will try to track it down and deal with my would be kidnappers. BUT, yours truly gets left out. I'm sixteen and some. I'm big enough to have my own vendettas."

"Why would someone be after you?"

"Did you piss off a bad guy?"

"Well, I had thallian and dark forces hunt me when I CAME here, though that was so long ago. Maybe they started up again?"

"Maybe? Thallian are assholes pretty much all the time."

"And there were unseelie nobles too. Vali doesn't talk about the OLD Shadow Court much but he believes this new 'freedom for commoners' stuff done in that name is a cover. " SHe ponders "If you have time, I might ask your help? I'd rather have a wilder help me out than a grump. I.. other wilders know I can be PART of it. Grumpsget protective"

"Uh."

"I am good at smashing things. You want brains, you want S-..." She cuts off, frowning.

A head tilt, "You can be pretty smart yourself, you know that right?"

A noncommittal grunt.

"Well yes" She says "Some folks do underestimate you in that department, perhaps including yourself. Were you about to say Sylvi, or Symon? Siv can be clever too, but is less a planner"

Frown, shrug.

"Sylvi's smart."

"Siv has the babies, so that's a lot."

"yeah." Conceding both "Cute kids. I've baby sat them twice now. They got lungs" Amused, then more soberly "You were frowning. Am I.... is this a bad time for me to visit and ask for insight?"

"No! Not bad. Just... " she gestures, vaguely waving her upturned hands.

"Okay. Like, before the Roc, was there anything different, out of the ordinary?"

"Not that I noticed" She admits "In truth, I was kind of .. on the sidelines except when someone needed me? Flicker flash, I did some emmisary work. Went to see Wudlig at Silver wolf.. Oh.. " She says "Right. Almost forgot. Pardon, delivery for you." She moves forward and HUGS the Gwydion, tnen let's go "That was from Connor. Sorry it is late. "

Her face scrunches up. "Oh. Thank you."

"Should have asked first. My bad" At the scrunch face "Anyway, other than that. I guess itt feels like the spot light is for others, not for me. But at least I'm useful. Honestly if someone wanted to HURT The lodge, there must be better targets?"

Desptie her protests, Dagmar knows Gerd IS often called on by this or that elder for a bit of a help transporting messages or people to help out. She's the only master of Wayfare in the Barony, perhaps the County. She's often helped the Rutgers crew too

"Okay, so, first, we need to do some operation Gerd appreciation."

"Operation Gerd Appreciation?" Dubious

"Well, sounds like utility burnout. You are worth more than your abilities."

"Utility Burnout? I heard about that, and Uncle Vali says I'm NOT meant to be our getaway car, but I guess I don't know the science behind it?"

"I kinda made it up."

"Like... hey, you wanna go watch Encanto? We could make popcorn? Hang out?"

There's actually a wistful note there, hopeful and longing.

"I love that movie" She admits "If Luisa isn't a troll she should be. Right? I mean... Mirabel is great, but Luisa strikes home"

"Sure."

"Luisa's my favorite, too."

"But she's kinda what I mean, about... y'know? Feeling that way?"

"Oh,'pretty sure I'm worthless if I can't be of service..' " Gerd realizes the connection "Crap. Is that what you think I've been doing? I always thought that was one of your challenges. NO offense, but you take a LOT on yourself"