#bergen_county

(Perception plus Empathy or Subterfuge, player's choice)

/roll 6 (empathy)

Deep in his cullinary craft, the innocent father does not realize his little girl is gonna get him blabbing, "Well honey, it's some kind of Shetland sheep dog cocker spaniel mix up in Silverwolf, but the Lodge here agreed to tell any changelings about it. It's actually free to a good home because the poor thing only has 3 legs. I felt sorry for it and thought it might be a great gift for the family, a bit early for a gift but there we go."

"Well, arguably, we got extra legs around here, so a tripod wouldn't be out of balance."

"That's what I thought. I mean, Egon could outrun it sure, but still, I think he'd like it. Hoped you would to. Not sure about Les. Redcaps tend to see pets as emergency rations."

"Not if he figures he can use the dog to look like even more of a bruiser..."

"It's a shetland sheepdog and cocker spaniel, it's not gonna get that big," Her dad points out then blinks, as it slowly sinks in. A hand goes on his hip, "HOney, what did we say about using the Jedi Mind trick on Dad?"

"These are not the droids you're looking for?"

"Well, yes, that, and you should be careful with it, it might spoil a surprise," He says "Remember, with great pooka power comes great pooka responsibility."

He knocks on wood so he doessn't die after saying that, like Uncle Ben.

"I mean, wouldn't it still be a surprise, just an earlier one?"

"So a now-prise, versus a later-prise."

"If we walked inside, it could be an Enterprise." He says , radiating Dad joke energy.

He looks at her. "It involves a lot of boring adult world challenges honey, and I don't want you worrying about that." He admits.

"....too expensive?"

He stirs the noodles and says "It might be tight, honey. Getting a dog means we might not be able to get other things.. Dogs require food, and a dog bed, and bowls, and a collar. Though this one has had all the shots."

A huff. "Everything's expensive."

"We could sell Egon."

A smile at that, "Be nice. You actually want a dog?"

"I think Les does."

"Mmm," a look at that, "Anyone else ? Maybe... some daughter of mine currently upstairs?" He makes it easier for her to lie and work this.

"Oh, the UPSTAIRS daughter? Her? Oh, maybe..."

"Ah, and maybe Egon who you still love even if you and he fight sometimes?" He asks

Siiiigh, long suffering.

"THAT'S a dirty lie and slander."

"Sue me," Her father says "Better yet, eat sphaghetti , that'll teach me. " He's apparently done , and it smells and looks great.

"Extra ketchup."

She isn't allowed to carry the big serving bowl, but she IS allowed to grab the loaf of bread and the margarine tub.

Which she does skillfully. Her father sighs "The mater juice will have to be put in on your own by your own hand," He carries the serving bowl , "Just warn me when you do it, so I don't have to look. " He calls out "Dinner's ready!"

Les appears so fast you'd think he had flicker flash, "Great! What is it? I'm starvin!"

"It's a surprise!"

"I'll eat it anyway" He says and moves in "Hot dang, Pasta!"

Egon comes down "It's not chicken again is it?"

"Nope." Dad says, "NOw all of you... where's your Mom?"

"Betcha a cookie she's caught up in a project."

"No bet," Dad sets the plates, putting the ketchup by hers, noodles and meat sauce in a delicious combo. "You three go ahead. I'll go talk to your mom, see if I can liberate her from the Solar powered Turnip Twiddler she's making or whatever."

"But I wanted a cookie!" Not actually upset.

Besides, she has food. She butters two slices of bread, and carefully places a hefty swirl of noodles on one slice. A drizzle of sauce and a splash f ketchup are added before she tops the sandwich with the second slice.

"Well see what dessert looks like" he smile and heads to his wife's lab.

Les doesn't care "Ketchup kind of looks like blood."

Egon goes 'eww'

"It IS blood. For vegan vampires."

Egon asks "What's a Vegan?"

"it's a native american word for 'crappy hunter'" Les informs him.

"They're aliens. From the planet Vega."

"Do they look for the Dragonball?" Egon asks, now intrigued.

"Just one dragonball? Noooo."

Egon's eyes go wide.

Les smirks and eats.