#bergen_county

"But it's not mine to keep, or lose. I have to return it."

"Why? You have a contract? You certainly paid enough money for it."

"Fuck, if Da'an sees fit to have it eaten by the universe... ain't I the big seelie stick in the mud, here?"

"I don't know if you can really put a monetary value on a Treasure, at least not with mortal coin. Like... could you put a price on Flyswatter?" He sits back with his head in his hands. "Even broken, it may have value to her. I don't want to be in her debt."

"You didn't lose it. It was stolen from you."

"I am responsible for it, Sy. Not you. I took it, I broke it. You owe her nothing."

"You think I want you in her debt?" He shakes his head, lank strands of hair falling into his face. He looks around again, thinking, then suddenly looks at the door. "Maybe your mom set it aside. For safe keeping."

"Mom came in while you were sleeping and I nodded off for a bit, too..."

"But if we want to talk about what that woman is owed..." a snort. "You owe her nothing."

He relaxed a bit. "She must have set it aside so it wouldn't get lost."

At Dagmar's snort, he looks uncertain. "The cruise was payment for summer - we hadn't discussed Fall semester yet, so I don't think I owe anything further. Except for her tool. It was entrusted to my care - and I know you broke it, but, like..."

He considers, "If someone you were watching over was injured on your watch, even if someone else hurt them - you'd blame yourself, wouldn't you? I was responsible for the treasure and returning it to her."

Her jaw juts, stubbornly. He knows that look.

A soft exhalation. "I... may have gotten myself in over my head." He whispers. "Even if you say I owe her nothing... I'm going to feel like I did something wrong. I... need to make a clean break. I'll return her necklace, and I..." He stops, then continues, "We can figure things out from there?"

"Bet Tove has it, yeah. We can return it - together. I... listen, after all that, last thing I wanna do is pressure or control you, but I don't like the idea of you facing her alone."

From his spot on the floor, he leans against one of Dagmar's legs. "Me either." He admits.

" She's on a boat. We have time."

"Not a lot. But some." He agrees. He looks up at Dagmar, thin features pinched with concern.

"We'll figure this out. Together. Like we always do."

"Are you sure you're okay? No.. weird backlash?"

"Riding high on a lot of glamour seems to be the story."

"Need a ride home? Been a night."

"Maybe a walk? If you're up for it?"

A tired but genuine smile. "Yeah. A walk sounds good."

He stands and offers her a hand. Not that he could help lift her to her feet if she actually needed it - hell, he'd have trouble lugging just one disembodied leg... but it's the gesture that counts. "When you get back, you'll ask your mom about it, right? Then we can figure things out together."

"I will and we will." Reassuring

-------

Later:

TXT: Mom says Vali has it

TXT: Vali? Why? 👀

TXT: To be fair, was going to go see Chief anyways

TXT: k