#anywhere

A brow "One thing at a time. Because lumping that together stacks the deck. You have not been stopped from having adventures.. yet. And there was no plan to. As for smoking, as a matter of fact, I KNOW Zane isn't allowed to. he doesn't get to Vap either so let's not even pretend every wilder is free of parental restrictions. Some don't smoke, Most don't drink, and yes, most seem to go on adventures. It's a fallacy to act like majority being allowed anything makes something good. At one time, MOST people thought slavery was just dandy as one extreme example of THAT logic /ethics hole"

"Besides, the only reason you're wanting to drink so badly, I suspect, is because you were told you couldn't, and again, that's not a mature reason for anything"

Adam mutters something that sounds like "Shows what you know."

"I know that you're not to go to that apartment complex again until we get this straightened out. And if you violate that restriction berfore your mother and i lift it? You lose the car keys. Side business or no. I've been patient, son, but there's testing our limits and there's hitting them. " they've stopped "now, let's go inside,"

Apparently trolls can be pretty alert

Adam sulks out of the car and into the house.

And his father follows. Mom and Lily pull up minutes later.

Damn, well, it was a nice holiday

(End scene)

"So, I want to know how you got your hands on this Tequila." his mother seems calmer now, "Your father and I need information in order to respond appropriately"

Breakfast conversation, very akward

Adam goes from eating like a healthy boy to pushing his food around. "What are you going to do?"

"That depends on the facts"

Adam takes a deep breath. "Look. I drank it. So it's my decision. No one forced me. Anyone else involved is... not the point."

"You don't get to decide what the point is, or isn't," his father says "It's good you take responsiblity for your own actions, but that is not the only factor we neeed to keep in mind for our choices."

Adam sits back in his chair. "I'm not telling. I'm not a narc."

"Teenagers still use the term 'narc'?" His mother blinks

"Trying to reach you." With an endearing smart-ass smirk.

"Lovely," She says , "Adam, you do realize the whole 'im no narc' nonsense is used to manipulate people into letting bad behavior continue? "

"Maybe there's a lesson I need to learn here on my own?"

"I think the lesson is choose your battles carefully" His mother says "Adam. We're going to investigate this. Do you really think we won't learn?"

She uses a logical tone

Adam gives her a look. "You're really going to stir sh...stuff up and get in people's business and make this a whole fight because I stood up for what I believe in?"

"When your beliefs are flat out self destructive, yes" His dad says

Adam shrugs. "Your funeral."

His mother's eyes flash, and she takes a breath, calming, then looks to Kyle "Maybe I'm seeing that as disrespectful when it's not?"

"Oh, it's disrespectful" he says

"I don't mean to be disrespectful. Sorry. I guess we believe different things."

"Adam, I understand you have your own beliefs forming," His mother says "and you are older now. But being older does not make you invincible, or your beliefs right"

"And if those beliefs are having you drink, and being disrespectful, perhaps you need to reevaluate them" His dad says "It maybe what you're calling 'beliefs' is actually just wounded pride"

Adam sighs.

"You know, it's a little depressing, and maybe insulting, that you're both convinced without any evidence that this is all because of pride, or whatever."

"One, your father said 'maybe', so don't using the word 'convinced' isn't fitting in this case. two, Conjecture is all you're leaving us with because you won't be more forth coming. " his mother says

"I told you. I put the tequila in my mouth. My choice. My decision. My consequences. I'm not snitching. I did it because I wanted to." He sounds exhausted.

"And, not for nothing? But I didn't drive. I'm not hurt. I didn't get caught by the cops. Even talked about calling you, which believe me, glad I didn't. Everything is -fine- but you're..... Ugh." He gives up.

"We are glad that Tikki gave you a ride home, and that you didn't try to drive. THAT we should consider," His dad says

"That said, " he continues, "Someone ELSE made a decision too, that someone decided to give an teenager under 18 booze. They're judgments are in question,a nd their influence clearly negative whoever they are."

"And since you will not tell us who did it, until we learn, " His mother says "You are banned from the apartment complex. And not allowed to interact with anyone who lives there with the exception of Tikki"

Adam flaps his hands. "How? How is it negative? I was in... I wasn't in public. Who's to know?"

"Do you think cops only arrest under age drinkers in cars? You were wandering through the halls of an APARTMENT, all it takes is one 'Karen type'" Brenda says "And you could go to jail, and whoever gave you the booze would be found out and arrested too. You' have this crazy notion that your father and I the worst case that could happen here and I am telling you, the banality of being in a cell makes me chewing someone out look pleasant"

"But we -didn't-." He insists. "And I really don't think there are Karen types at this place. But even if there were, we didn't get stopped!"

"You were very lucky" His mother agrees, "and you should be glad but that doesn't change things"

"At least, not enough to matter. We are glad we don't have to talk to police but your obstruction has consquences. You are not to go to the appartment or talk to anyone living at that appartment except for the boy who gave you the ride until we learn more" His father's tone is..final

Adam smolders. "Fine."

He shoves back from the table and stands.

It seems he's finished a whole half of his breakfast.

"There maybe more restrictions, your mother and I need to discuss it. Don't be surprised if there are" His father says

"yes... " His mother sighs and rubs at her large horns

"Fine." And his tone is... final.

A warning look from his mother