#anywhere

"In point of fact," The Hearth says "We have been selling the fruits discretely to some folk. Traggos and the like"

She relaxes a bit at the idea that the Hearth doesn't really plan on burning the tree down. "Well, that's good. I guess it's something to save up for."

"Chief makes the final call and she says it's of the Dreaming and must have it's place."

A smile. "I knew I liked her. Well, she has to be pretty smart, or else she'd not be Chief."

"Well, she's been a bossy britches most of her days so we promoted her to teach her a lesson" Straight faced

Her eyes boggle a little bit at that, and she says, "I wish there was someone around who'd talk that way to OUR Chief. I'd like to see what happened!"

That actually makes the old Hearth chuckle, "I imagine that would be quite a show. Clem's a good girl, and a good leader, but she is family so I have some liberties."

A small smile, thinking of her own family, and then remembers, "Oh, excuse me a moment - " And steps aside to send a quick text to Auntie M: TXT: found some intel - Z is on a quest. dont know where, but at least we kno what hes doing- kinda. hope tht helps

(Belay the last, just recalled she wasn't supposed to share that. ) 😄 Just ⬆️

TXT: _A quest? _

Txt: I'll murder him!

Txt: Thank you, dear

TXT: its kinda what us wilders do. dont kill him too hard. he had reasons.

TXT: Hurumph. Well if you DO go questing you let me know. Your mothers would be furious if I lost track of you only to find out you'd gone after the grail shaped beacon or some such

TXT: grails are old school. these days we're after the holy iphone app of antioch. After all, she's been running off on quests since she was 13. And turned out fine, didn't she? ...A glimpse of the butterfly chimera in the reflection of the screen, and she slides the phone back in her pocket.

"All well?" The Hearth says

"Zane's mom is still mad that he went off without telling her, but I think she'll get over it. If he survives his quest, he can probably survive her wrath."

"Of course, first rule of rearing wilders- If you kill em, they don't learn nothing" Archly

"It depends on if your lessons are hard enough to stick through to the next life!" A laugh.

"Well, when you become a grump yourself you'll feel the urge trust me. "

A smile as she finishes her glass of water, and reaches over to rest a hand on Adam's arm. "Anything else you wanted to do here? We should be getting back, there's no promise what time of day the trod might spit us out. And figure out what we should do with the info from the Mountain... if anything..." Forehead wrinkled up a bit as she ponders.

"Oh the foot bridge trod is pretty stable, hasn't lost more than an hour yet. But as you like. I always have chores. Dishes, snow to shovel, so on, but you're guests so I tend to go easy. If you start visiting here often you'll find out just how much we can find to do"

"Well, in that case, how can I help out? I have a lot of energy today, and I already told the folks who needed to know what there was to know." Poor Jimmy, forgotten again.

"Well then," And She puts the satyr to work washing or drying (her choice) dishes. Adam might get the other.

Piper won't insist on him helping - after all, she volunteered herself, not him, but will welcome him to assist with the dishes.

Adam steps right up alongside Piper and does the dishes with her.

And Piper and Adam rewarded , in that Agnes seems open to more questions, and gives more details. Any Traggo can come to purchase Pomegranates but it's best if they're of good reputation or know someone they like. Adam learns that there are lessons and classes here open to kinain as well as kithin, including self defense.

His interest is clear.

He wants to take the classes. All of the classes.

Agnes says "Well goodness, you might have a hard row to hoe, Adam. I think it's no secret we disliike sidhe, and while it's not your fault you carry that blood, I fear some of us might be rude to you when we don't think about it. I mean, I could lie and say 'we don't see fae blood'" a scoff "we do , and we need to work on how we react to what we see. I'll never trust sidhe fully, but kinian aren't as bound or trapped to some role the dreaming puts out."

She nods, and admits, "Sidhe aren't among my favorite people either. But Adam... well, he's proven himself to Rivervale, and I think it's pretty clear that I like him alright, too. ...do you have any musicians? I met Spencer at a party once, but not sure if all you DeBukes are localized, or if you have other colonies to spread and take over for inevitable Troll rule of all Concordia."

Other that the music comment, Piper seems politely interested, but not as crazed as Adam. More classes? Eh.. maybe?

She looks JUST a bit amused at the idea of a troll rule "Don't need no kings no matter what their kith in our view"

"And SPencer's our only dedicated musician though some of us do dabble... "

"Our Lodge is full of Kings, and isn't that bad..." A grin.

"Well, I walked into that one" She admits

A giggle. "Well, if anyone here is interested in music, I'm not sure if I'd be a good teacher, but I certainly know the basics like the back of my hand, so I'd be glad to teach anyone who didn't mind learning from an airhead." Grin.

"Apahsia does Piano."

"Oooh. I've always gravitated towards portable instruments myself. I'd love to hear her sometime. I looked at Melodicas once, but they were a bit silly..."

"And Sally Mae got the whole crew line dancing once I..." And the older woman's face falls "But no nevermind there"

"Is everything alright? Line dancing does sound fun..."

"Very rarely is everything all right, but no nevermind" she says

She looks unsure, but doesn't pry. She is not, after all, a pooka... Finishing up the last of the dishes that need drying.

Adam seems quietly crestfallen.

She reaches over and gives Adam a light touch. "You alright? Ready to head out?"

"Adam, you are still welcome to attend classes. I was just letting you know the challenges. You're of Rivervale, and they are our allies. "

"Yeah, thanks, Mrs. Agnes." He lifts his chin. "I appreciate the offer."

"Thank you both for working at the kitchen, Good to see you were both raised right"

"Welcome."

And she tends to the rest herself.