#rutgers

"So, who do you think we should invite to this study group?"

She looks over at Symon's closed door, shoulders falling slightly.

"Well... um.."

Sylvi follows her glance. A bit of a sigh. "Yeah. I can't imagine how busy he is. But...if he were hating it, he'd find time to complain to us, right? And I'm guessing that studying with people isn't really his style anymore."

"It's not." Softly.

"Have you met Chelsea yet?"

She doesn't know what to say about Symon, so she focuses on the Chelsea question. "I mean, just a little. But she seemed cool."

"She's nice."

A nod. "How about our neighbors?" Referring to the guys down the hall.

"They're pretty cool, too." She nods.

"Okay. That sounds like a good group! I mean, plenty of people, but not too many. So...where? I don't think Symon would want us to do it here, and it's too small anyway."

A frown, but she nods.

"I guess we could just find whatever classroom is open at the time, but that seems like leaving stuff to chance. Maybe the coffee shop?"

"I like the coffee shop. It's not a freehold, but it's got a good vibe?"

"Yeah, it does. Plus, easy to get snacks. Okay...we should have a few times slots to suggest to the others, see what they all say."

"Right - avoid fridays, for sure. Tuesdays, thursdays?"

"Tuesdays I've got that late class, but maybe earlier?"

"Afternoon, maybe? I have a gap, and don't have to mess with training."

"That sounds good. Cool, so let's start texting them!"

"Right!"

"...Maybe the puppy can come, sometimes."

"Well, Odin probably shouldn't," Sylvi says with a grin.

"Probably." She concedes.

"Odin might disagree, of course."

"But..." she lowers her voice so Odin can't hear "...puppy-time breaks during studying would be awesome."

"That's what I was thinking." A flicker of a smile.

A nod and thumbs-up.

And the texting begins.

Somewhere, Odin feels the sense of a coming storm

Texts returned look positive

"Well, so far this is looking good."

"Chelsea might be a dreamer. So that's good, too. And the boys have potential..."

A grin. "You mean, as dreamers? Or...?"

BLUSH

"As dreamers!"

A wink. "Just kidding. Although...they are cute."

She rubs the back of her neck and nods.

"Oh, hey, that reminds me...I wonder if Maisey is still thinking about that satyr party. I haven't heard back from her yet."

"Satyrs can be flaky, sometimes. More exciting things in the moment, yeah?"

"Yeah. Which means it's going to be one of those things that comes back around when we least expect it."

"True. So we just need to be prepared?"

A grin. "Thinking like that'll make us anxious. We need to be flexible."

"Adapt when stuff happens."

"Have you met me?"

"I'll just have, like, a contingency plan..."

"A contingency plan?" Genuine curiosity...with just a hint of amusement.

"Right. In case of a 'spontaneous' party."

"...Maybe a go bag?"

"Maybe. I think she'll give us a bit of warning."

"Right - but, like, makeup? And, uh... I'll figure it out."