#rutgers

Chelsea and Sam seem to have hit it off as study buddies, at least, Chelsea hopes they have. She could use the help

Sam is an average student at best - so she's had to study to make it, why should college be any different?

The two sit under a nice tree they've kind of, well, claimed while there is light "Okay, Chaucer wasn't easy, but I'm really feeling like I've missed something with Candide. Am I anti French?"

"No? Candide is just weird."

"I think maybe it would be funnier if we were in old France that this is making fun of."

"Yeah, hard to appreciate satire if you don't grasp just what needed mocked" She nods

"Imagine, like, The Onion in 1492?"

"Okay, I think that helps ."

"Maybe if we changed up Candide to be like the Onion... like... make the main headline 'The Best of All Possible Worlds!"

"The professor might like that angle" A nod "Candide was like an internet troll, and picked the targets who deserved it."

"...Do a Fashion Column with Cunégonde - 'Glitter and Be Gay!"

"I love it" She writes it down "Hey, what if 'Dr. Ralph' tries to sell miracle cures in the ad space?"

"Ha! Perfect!"

A grin "A zimple plan to a slimmer France"

"Right.. and here, a travel column to Buenos Aires..."

The two get into the groove of it, and get over that barrier they had for the subject matter. They may not LOVE Candide, but they've found their insight into him that works for them

And honestly, this is almost kind of fun!

It is...

And then, a text to Sam

TXT: Dags! It's Dee! Let me know when you can talk over the phone private like! Plz. I think you'll love it

"Good place to close up?" Her friend asks "the study I mean?"

Noting the text beep

"Sure. I'll drop the file in the shared drive so you can get it - cool?"

"Excellent, Thanks again, Sam. "

Smile-shrug. "No big. See you in class tomorrow?"

"Oh heck yeah, and the cafeteria too if you're game" She waves "We gotta eat"

"Lunch date!"

"Woot" And off her new friend goes.

And, when she has privacy..... ring?

Dee sounds enthused

"I called, yeah? What's up?"

"Yeah. Did you get word about our post pennons pennons at Silverwolf?"

"Oh... oh, yeah. Invite came."

"Excellent! Joust, Races, Steeple, dressage. It's gonna be a blast."

"ANyway, do you want to just sign up for the Joust or other events as well? And Gwen wants to know if Rivervale is bringing a dog. You know how weird she is about dogs"

"Um."

"I would have to ask Brekke about dogs."

"Right. Ah, sorry no cat show. Not like anyone could beat Odin in awesomeness" One can almost hear the wink

"True!"

"Okay, now how are you doing? Rutgers pretty cool?"

"Oh, yeah! Busy, though."

"Darn shame trolls are scared of hard work... oh wait, that's us satyrs. You got this, Girl" Supportive

"Yeah, it's going okay."

"Making any other friends? I know Symon's got your back but he's not always the most social guy"

"Mm."

"Maybe kinda?"

"Well I hope it's kinda happening good. I love the SW crew but honestly you're more a friend. Gwen hangs with Thistle and Art mostly. Bluebell's cool, but hard to read. Julius is super busy... and I like the Baroness but like for me ,she's a boss. you know? So it's nice we can still see each other"

"Oh yeah."

Dee chatters excitedly, trolls are good listeners but as the subject turns to horses again, well, it is a shared love