#darkgatefortress

The Storm doesn't let it get to him. He couldn't spend Yule with his lady.Well, that's how it goes sometime.

Colton looks over the ledger "Well, station 3 folks there." A curious look "What's that? Silverwolf gone quiet?"

"Well, make sure we're spotted near the border , not in great number, but in case they need support "

His phone buzzes -- which he won't notice if he's not carrying his phone.

TXT: 🎄🎁💕

He pauses, smiles. And finishes giving his orders

about minutes after he got it, he texts back

TXT: 😍 🎄 💝

TXT: How's things up there?

TX: Yule had a wendigo chimera but we took it out

TXT: Want a fur coat?

TXT: Um...pass, thanks. 😄

TXT: Vali and Tiffany got married!

TXT: How was Yule at RV?

TXT: Good! Fun. Surprises, like V&T. Good family time. Looking forward to seeing you, though.

TXT: Wait, they got married? Oh wow! I need to send them a late wedding gift! Sorry, I didn't know

TXT: And looking forward to seeing you as well. Your kisses are the only spring warmth I feel this winter

TXT: NONE of us knew! They eloped, right under our noses!

TXT: I can't decide if that's romantic or bonkers! Congrats to them anyway!

TXT: It sounds like Tiffany was stressing out too much about the idea of a big ceremony, so they just...did it!

TXT: 💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋 There...almost a thaw, right?

TXT: I definitely feel... a bit heat rising 🔥

TXT: Hey, did your mom say that she knew it?

TXT: She did! How did you know she said that?

TXT: _Not sure its safe to say 😉 _

TXT: Hmmmmmmm... :thinking_face:

TXT: You're spying on us?

TXT: Or are you dissing my mom?! :face_with_raised_eyebrow: 😉

TXT: I'm saying when it comes to romances, your mom is a more gungho cheerleader than YOU are 😜

TXT: I'm going to take that as a compliment on her behalf!

TXT: Hey, when can I see you?

TXT: Today if you want! I had to work Yule shift but that ended.

TXT: Okay, tell you what...can you get to... (and she gives him the location of the terminus of the new trod, without tell him why)

TXT: Oooookay. Interesting

TXT: Well, how about you get there in an hour? I'll text you again then.

TXT: Give me time to shave and shower. I'll be there

TXT: Perfect. 💋

TXT: C U ❤️

And she goes to pack and let her parents know she's going to be away for a day, but plans to come back for a bit more of a visit before returning to BrightWinds.

The Grocery Store has Colton looking baffled

Then she packs, making sure to have her hoverboard as well. "Flopsy, do you want to come, or stay here?"

"Oh I think I'll stay. Really, would you want me listening to everything?" Ears perk

"Well, keep an eye and an ear on things here!" She gives him a big squeeze, then hurries away, using the hoverboard to get the couple of miles ot the trod terminus at this end. And...away she goes!

and she finds herself in the grocery store at Rome New York

Birth Control Aisle right over there

She stares at it...then rolls her eyes. "Thanks, Dad," she mutters, "but I'm covered." She locates the exit and heads outside to look for Colton.

Colton looks at her "Hey" His eyes light up

"Hey!" She beams and goes to him, slipping her arms around him and giving him a kiss.

"So, you've got a new trod in your neighborhood," she adds with a smile.

And he returns it, then he says "NO.. really?"