#anywhere

Adam thinks about it, and finally hales her on the app to meet him at the gas station just ahead.

On it! is the response

Adam steps into the C-store at the station, gets a cup of hot coffee, and waits inside (warm) for Eden.

"Adam?" Sir Carownyn raises a brow

Adam jerks and looks around. "Oh. Oh crap. Is Mr. King here?"

"No.. I'm on duty. Did you need him?"

"No. Just... just waiting for a ride. Is that cool?"

"Of course, Adam. You're always welcome here... " he looks around "Just us, so sorry I didn't get to mention to you a Joyous Beltaine"

"Yeah, same to you."

"I hear you and others were recognized for your endevours. Piper must be very proud of you"

"Proud of me? Yeah, I guess. She, you know, cheered and congratulated me."

"Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?" He says "Pardon if I'm prying"

"Nah, it's cool. And yeah. We are. Why?"

"Just you seemed suprrised she'd be proud" A smile and it is dazzling. He is sidhe... slightly.. different... and that odd off aura.. but he's there.

Adam drinks his coffee, watching the man over the edge of the cup for a moment. "Not surprised, no... but... like.... I mean it was cool to be recognized. I like it a lot. But that kind of thing isn't really her deal, you know?"

"She's not a fan of court functions perhaps. Not everyone is" He says

"Court functions? Yeah, I guess. Kinda."

"I hope I'm not making you nervous? House Liam does that sometime.. and while I am of a bannerhouse, well...I am first and foremost a liam"

"No, I'm not nervous." He says plainly. "I mean.... you have the same vibe as the Mountain at the Lodge and ... well, they said I shouldn't pay attention to it. Which seems nuts, but...."

"no.. pay attention it. " He says "One day you might meet an Oathbroken who Isn't Liam.. and some of them are dangerous because of desperation, or because they truly were horrible people. I hope you can look past it, but by all means.. be aware of it. It's safer for you. No Liam wants a mortal endangered for their sake"

He drinks another slug of coffee. "Kinda conflicting messages there."

"I know . Was it a Liam who told you the other one?"

"No. Pretty much everyone at the Lodge said 'Oh, yeah, he might seem creepy but ignore that; he's a good guy.'"

"Mmm well, for Mountain Frank I can see why but ..have you asked him how he wants to be treated or so on?"

"Uh, no. We don't talk a lot."

"Ask him. I think he'd understand if you told him that it made him uncomfortable. One can be honest and polite they just have to finese a bit" His phone rings, his cell "Pardon me"

Adam nods and backs away to look out the window for Eden.

"Hey, Sally Mae.. ah.. yes ah.. I was thinking of you today in fact. I.." A smile "Yes, I would like a chance to buy you dinner It only seems proper..."

Adam grins, but puts it in his coffee.

Eden pulls up

Adam lifts a hand to acknowledge the Sidhe knight on night duty, and closes up his coat before taking his coffee to the car.

He slips in. "Hey."

"Something wards back azbout all this.. aren't you not just a client but one of the founders of this little shaving club?"

"Yeah, but I'm not working tonight."

"Hey, do you know if that 24 hour diner is still 24 hours with all the plague going around?"

"The...uh, the Ridge, I think. The Ridge Diner. It's in Park Ridge on Kinderkamack, I think."

She's driving "I know a closer dive that serves slop 24 seven"

"Yeah? If it's open all night, I'm cool with it."

And soon the lodge is in sight

"No, no no no no.... No, Eden, get me out of here. Shit, pull over and I'll walk."

She doesn't pull over but she turns around "by the dark forces of Belzubba, what did you do? French a Balor wearing the Chieftain's face?"

"I don't even know what that means, but I don't want to go to the Lodge unless I have to. Let me out, or take me somewhere that's open 24/7."

"I hear you... Ridge denier you said?" Setting a course

"Ridge Diner. I don't know if it's still open with everything but...."

"Hey, wait. Let me call them."

"Sure sure... sorry the Hearth's food disagrees with you. ..talk about that allergy?"

Adam dials the diner in question.

A groan, and Adam drops back against the seat. "Closed. Fuck."