#elsewhere

"Exactly." She urges him to take a bite.

And he does, tearing into it

Sylvi closes her eyes, willing the energy of springtime picnics and life and laughter and energy to strengthen him.

And Dagmar can feel his hand, the one he's not using for food, grow stronger in their grip.

Another squeeze, eyes shut in silent prayer.

"Better, much better" he nods

Sylvi lets out a sigh and opens her eyes. "Well, I should hope so. That looks like good chicken."

A smile and a wink.

"mm" A chuckle from him

"Yeah?" Faintly hopeful.

"If it's one of Tove's it's the spice that probably burned the injuries away" Nadeen observes

Sylvi laughs at that. "True story, there."

"So...let's let Dagmar and Jaymes talk, guys. I want to catch up with Lupe a bit."

"Of course" Nadeen smiles bravely. She's at the greatest risk here but soldiers onn. Kelby nods

"Thank you ladies," Jaymes voice is strong again

Sylvi might notice this, which might be part of why she says, "We'll be out in the park across the street, Dagmar. Feel better, Jaymes!"

And out they go.

"I'll stay here, okay?"

"It's better than okay, it's great" Her dad says

"But you'll be home - what, tomorrow? Soon."

"Early tomorrow, promise" He nods "This isn't your fault. You know that yes?"

"Mm..."

"Mmm" he grumbles ("I'm speaking truth")

Shrug-frown.

"Another truth: You're the best daughter in the world and I love you" He believes it

Sigh. "I know."

"Good. now have some chicken before Lupe comes back and eats it all" A look at her "your mother tells me you're picking at your food"

"Haven't been hungry."

"I know, but if you eat with me, I 'll eat more" A bargain

"Mm." She acquiesces.

Taking the seat by the bed, she takes out a drumstick. "You like the balloons?"

"They're fantastic, the other patients are jealous" He takes out a wing to nibble onn

She eats. "They should be."

He munches "They should be." A tearing of wolf teeth on wing , his appetite back with his restoration "HOw's Connor?"

"He's doing okay! Worried, but.. I mean..."

"But he helped protect May..."

"Heard," A grunt "Must have scared you to find out. But you traied him smart. He called for help"

She nods. "He is smart."

"I think" A bite "I want to hunt down Leech's agents. Interested in helping me?"

Jaw jut.

"I do."

Grunt nod "We shall see what is planned. If we don't go after one, we can take another. I had to kill two men because of Leech. I want him to know were are not a family to be hunted, we are hunters. "

"Wish I had taken his goddam head."

"No no.. I want to find ou what about centaurs scares him. I want to see his eyes when this 'doom' happens"

Grunt.

"But I understand why you'd wish it"

He makes sure she's still eating "Never forget, we stopped him from killing off every centaur he could"

"Yeah... but.." Frown.

"mmm?"

"I don't want him to be a threat anymore."