#anywhere

MAN, can that teenager sustain a glare. Even at 14, thanks to her kith, she looms over the satyr.

"To see if I could. May I explain in greater detail?"

GLARE. "You better."

"Well, I'm glad to see you care for your foster parents enough that they'e earned your protection. " He says "You know, of course, that fae activities need a certain degree of mortal ignorance and non interference? Well, magics on mmortals require a certain degree of famliiarity with the subject. So, in case you never need a day doing Fae things at the lodge or the like, say another holiday? I'm helping the Baroness and others, including you, so it will be easier to do that."

"...realms, right? The stuff you do magic to? But..." Scowl. "It doesn't... how long have you been coming here?"

"Here? Not often. I have met her at the grocery store twice, and the mall three times"

"Anything else you'd like to know? If it does not betray my liege, I shall answer freely"

"Did Brekke ask you to do that?"

"Baroness Brekke asked for my use of Chicanery if it was needed, but i did not have orders to do this every time, no. I am getting to know your fosters better in case an emergency is called. If you are upset, be upset with me"

"So..." A frown, looking between Jennifer and the professor. "So if something like the flood comes up?"

"Exactly, you can join in with less concern about your school or the like," he presses his glasses to his nose, "Though, as an Educator, I hope you realize that knowledge is very important, and no genuine education is truly useless"

She snorts. "Whatever. I'm just gonna end up at O'Tolley's or a SpeedGrab station..."

"Balderdash and poppy cock," He says with a snort back, "waste of material that. Why on earth would one deliberately settle if they didn't have to?"

"That ain't. It's a job. I'm gonna get a job."

"As a stepping stone to the job you want. Why imagine you can only reach so far? You're intelligent, have a strong will, and energy."

She grunts. "Whatever."

"No, not whatever, magic. I can measure these traits, and you have them' He shrugs "But that's another subject. Look, in fifteen minutes Jenny will snap out of it like a day dream. Did you need it to last longer ? "

"She can't wake up with you here, right?"

"SHe can if I take too long, yes. " He says "But I would just make her forget again if I had to."

"Right."

"Chicanery is a potent art, and you are right to be on guard about it, it can be abused, like any power with even less chance of getting caught" He nods, "Still , very useful."

"I don't like the idea of messing with people's memory."

"That's fair. What restrictions would you like to place on me in regards to the treatment of your fosters' memory?"

"You don't get to do it in secret. You should tell me."

"What if I need to cover for you but haven't found you?"

She glares.

He tilts his head, "Listening"

"So that's a reason to not tell me, when you find me?"

"No, I see your point. If I do it, I will try to tell you before,and if not able, certainly after. Fair?"

She chews on her lower lip, but nods.

He offers his hand "Agreed then. I understand, these people are under your protection."

She hesitates, then takes the hand - careful to use a gentle grip.

"Done then. If it helps you feel any better, I do usually obey my liege, the Baroness. I'm not of her lodge, but I am a loyal citizenn. If you ever feel I have abused my power over someone, you have the right to petition her. the system is there so our lieges work for us and our concerns, just as we work for them. In theory, anyway"

"....Right. The system."

A chuckle, "Poor wording on my part. You may not believe me, but for it's faults, our system is far kinder on the young than many mortal ones. Anything else before I go?'

"I don't hate your wife. She was just being weird."

"Part of why I married her," he smiles, "But she'll be glad you don't bear her any disdain. She's really a sweet creature when you get to know her. Comes on strong, but then, that's another reason I married her. " he admits, "Thank you for telling me that though. I think it was bothering her."

"Why does everyone think I hate them?" A harrumph.

"Do they? huh. Well, you do have an intimidating scowl for your age." He ponders, "I don't think you hate me. And I don't think Marsha thought you Hated her I think she was more worried she had offended."

"Tell her not to be weird." She shrugs.

"Well, I don't want her to be who she isn't, but by weird you mean..."

a question for details

She shrugs.

"Don't get why she was making small talk with me. She's a grown up."

"Oh, she's social by nature and likes to get to know Zane's friends" he explains "Of course, I don't know if you think of Zane as a friend, but she's an optimist."

"Hmph."

"I hope you've made at least one friend. You and that sluagh lad seem to get along."

"Symon's okay."

"I guess Zane is, too."

A nod, "Good. I don't want you thinking the fae world is full only of old people and trolls"