#anywhere

Swish Swish Swish

"Screw this...." he lunges off the couch and towards the kitchen/back door.

"Where are we going?" She says following

"Those katas." He grabs his practice weapon from where it rests outside. ("No sparring weapons in the house, Adam!!") and to his makeshift ring. "I'm gonna practice. And then I'm gonna find someone who can teach me about court stuff. And I'm gonna get mom to get me some more of that poetry."

".... and find a way to pick up some work."

"I hear you..." She says following "And I'll watch and help"

"Nah, s'cool. You don't have to. I know this isn't your thing."

"Hey... we're still friends right?" She says a stall to her flutter

"Sure." he goes into warm-up stretches.

"Cool then..sides, I LIKE watching guys work up their muscles"

"Fine." And... he works out. Like he used to for basketball. Drill, drill, drill.... drill again. He mixes it up; adds in sprints and muscle building push ups and sit ups, but he also uses the katas he's been taught, going slowly to get each move right and speeding up each repetition to build practical use. He almost seems to have an opponent in mind.

"looking good ...keep that guard up.." Nab turns into a cheerleader outfit and bounces

Even in the cool of the still-winter-weather, he works up a sweat.

Finally, he eases back, stretching.

Footsteps "Hey..." Vali says "Am I intruding?"

"Huh? Oh. Hello, Mr. Gardner. I was just practicing."

"I see that...pretty good speed in the kata " A nod

"Still have some work to do." He wipes his forehead on his hoodie sleeve. "I'll be better."

"I know, Chief is teaching you, but if you need help... let me know... I was patroling.. helping folks out, that includes you if you need it"

"Thanks, uh, thank you. I was just finishing, though. Need to shower and get a few more things done today." There's a fire in his eyes.

"Yeah?" He says "sound determined."

A shrug. "What the point of not being determined?"

"Oh not knocking it... just giving you your props on that one"

He nods, wiping his brow again. "Ok. Thanks."

"Enjoy your shower... " He turns "I'm off to patrol again... then off to Court with Nadeen. Courtly stuff , but nothing I can't handle"

"Court?"

Instantly alert. "Which Court? Where?"

"Count Hemlock's..." he says "Caer Falken. You've been there once before If I recall."

"Yeah, Pennons. You're going back? With Nadeen?"

"Yeah, she's the liason.. and needs at least one escort for some functions. yours truly "

Adam thinks about it for a second. "At least -one-?"

"Well, she can have more sure..." he says with a shrug "But no one else was volunteering so looks like it's just me"

"I could give you a ride." He offers.

"Yeah? Would speed up the trip. You sure it's no trouble?"

"None! I should shower and stuff. You said you were going to finish patrol; want me to pick you up at the Lodge, or.....??"

"Pick us up in the lodge.. is 25 minutes too soon?"

"No! No, I can make that." He nods.

"Thanks... dress up nice yourself if you want to come in with us as another escort. It's kind of formal... if you prefer to just drop us off that's cool too." he nods and makes a wave motion "See you"

"See you." Adam waits till Gardner is out of sight before lunging back inside and up the stairs to shower.

He is -fast- and perhaps a bit light on the details, but he makes sure to be presentable and wears his red court voile robes as he thunders down the stairs towards his car.

"Someone looks fancy " his mother says

"Gottagomomgottaajob....."

"Okay. Love you! "

Adam dashes out the door to his car and leaps in to drive..... careful of the speed limit..... to the Lodge.

And he sees Nadeen dressed in an elegant outfit of black and gold, but with a mantle bearing the symbols of Rivervale.

Adam pulls carefully into the parking lot below the Lodge proper, parks, and gets out. "Hello. Uh, my, uh Lady? Mister.... Sir Gardner asked if I could drive you and him to Caer Falken."

"Lady will do." SHe says and looks him over, "Well, you're dressed for it. Thank you, Thane Adam." She looks behind her and there comes Sir Vali, armor at high shine.

The mortal looks slightly torn for a moment, but he turns away and opens her car door for her.

Vali raises a brow, but nods and goes in the back. Nadeen slides into the car seat "Thank you"

"You're welcome." He closes the door and then gets in himself, setting up his phone go guide him back up near Alpine, NJ.