#bergen_county

"Might be a troll thing?"

"But.. I mean, we're friends, right?" Again, that hopeful waver, seeking reassurance even as she tries to reassure.

"Might be, but if any pooka teases us a bout it ,we launch them in the lake. Me with a spell, you with a yeet" Then "And of course we're friends. We had a rough start. Remember that? I couldn't get a hint?" Sheepish "But definitely. We both grew up together the last few years. Admitedly, you grew up a LOT" Dagmar is taller than Gerd, though, much to Siv's frustration, Gerd is now taller than Siv

Dagmar is taller than anyone but the grumps, at this point.

A small smile. "So, yeah. Dunno how much I can help outside of fighting, but... movie and hanging out could be good, right?"

"Might be just what I need" She admits gratefully "You want me to get the popcorn while you get the movie?"

"I like butter, is that okay? And fair warning, CJ might join us once he hears the music."

"CJ is adorable, so no trouble here. " She says "And I freaking LOVE butter... and my therapist says I've got a check on it"

"Ok, cool. Go nuts with butter, then. We've got Dr. Pepper and Coke and Lemonade and Iced Tea and Kool-Aid..."

"Dr. Pepper I think. When in Rome and all that." She rises to get the popcorn.

"I'll get the TV set up!"

"Gotcha" And each races to their task

Soon Popcorn is in a bowl built for troll sized hands, with extra butter, and the movie is starting

Dag settles down on the couch, her phone forgotten upstairs, whatever unfinished text may linger there.

The movie starts in a village with a very magical house with a very magical house... and ALL IS WELL.... and Mirabel assures everyone the fam is awesome. It IS awesome, but all is not really well....

"Poor Mirabel" Munch popcorn "She was really hoping to avoid that subject"

"I swear, the more painful a thing is, the more the universe always seems determined to bring it up."

"Amen to that" A snort "Digging for pain like a boar digs for truffles"

"Huh. Yeah."

"Kids with coffee addiction are cute though" Wry

CJ peeks in "Whatcha watching?"

"Bruno. You wanna watch, too?"

"Ooo" He says "We don't talk about Bruno" And makes a shushing motion, but he also climbs up on the big couch and joins his sister and Gerd.

Dag arranges so CJ also gets popcorn access, and he's also conveniently placed for random hugs.

He's good for those! Even if his fingers may need frequent wipings

And his face. Sigh.

Oh well, it is worth it for the hugs and his laughs when the show gets funny. God he loves the Donkeys

"She's stacking donkeys" He laughs

"Yes she is" Gerd grins

"Donkeys are cute."

"Yup" CJ says, but of course, he grows quieter as Luisa seems sad "it's not HER Fault she's not strong. It's just happening" he protests

"It isn't, but sometimes it can feel that way."

"You want to be there for everyone and worry you're failing them all" Gerd nods

"Exactly."

CJ huffs, "Well, she shouldn't DO that" As if it is that simple to solve. Oh to be a child or childling again

"Well, you be a good brother and remind your family if they do that, okay?"

He nods "I WILL" FIrm, Dedicated, ready to be the best brother in the... then there is another donkey and he grins again.

Gerd grunts and smiles ("Your little brother is a winner") and has more popcorn

"Eh." ("So's yours.")

This she nods too.

The movie is a blast, ripping at their hearts in the best ways, and finding hope amid the mess. The songs are rocking, and Gerd admits that , after Luisa, her favorite character might be Delores "I mean, she knows ALL their secrets whether she wants to or not"

"This is what you get from all your sluagh teatimes."

"Yeah" Agreeement there "Hard not to be sympathetic once you realize what they have to face"

"They like having that dirt, though."

"Which, y'know, more power to'em."

"Don't you yell at Bruno" Says CJ to the Abuela as he rushes... too late, to the rescue of Mirabel... who no longer needs rescue

he has seen this movie a hundred times, but always wants to protect Bruno near the end.

"Look how brave Bruno is, yeah?" To CJ, before she kisses the top of his head.

"Yeah" A nod "Cuz he's scared. Da explained it to me"

"Yup. You can be brave and scared at the same time."