#anywhere

He must have imagined something.

Instead he hears his parents talking "I don't know... it seems.. wrong" His mother is saying

A shrug, and he keeps going.

.... and a pause on the stairs.....

"If it will keep you sane.. help you adjust, I'll.. find a way to make it work" His father

"I know what they say, but it just seems so... such a betrayal. You're a dream of honor and duty, Kyle. Protection. This.. that would be an insult to you and ...I'd feel like shit"

"Would you? Are you sure?"

"Yes.. no ? I don't know..satyr is.. a fun kith but at times... I feel so alien" She admits

"Nonsense, you're very human." He assures "ANd I mean that in a good way"

"Well, CC is offering to help she's... something. "

"Oh? You like her?"

"I think you'd like her too... and I wouldn't blame you. Adam certainly did."

"Oh?"

"Yes, and I don't blame him either she's... she's a force." His mom

Hell to the no..... and Adam moves as silently as he can upstairs. Nope, Nope, Nopity, Nope.....

Although, as one speaks of the devil and it appears, the mention of CC's name does re-conjure her in his thoughts....

"Okay, does this grump have beer flavored nipples or something??" The voice jolts him.. until he sees Nabuni fluttering before him

"Oh, hey Nab. I don't know, but I'd love to find out...." He drops his bag and flops onto the bed.

"Well, she's on everyone's mind here.. oh, Lily is at a friend's house.... your dad and mom both are.. oh right, you don't want to know" Nabuni says

"Yeah, no, I don't. Thanks." He pauses. "Maybe I should take off too."

"Where?" She asks curiously

A shrug. "I dunno. Give them the house, though."

"You're very kind. Come on, let's go hit the Wayburtons maybe? "

"You wanna come?" mild surprise.

"Yeah... I know , I know, I went off for a bit, but you're still my friend and more and I like your company" Nab says "I'm sorry if I made you feel otherwise. But I'm in a better place now" She assures "I mean, heck, that's just one idea. If you want to patrol instead or something we can go wherever you want"

"I guess I should go get something to eat." He heaves himself to his feet and stretches, then grabs his stuff. "Yeah, if you wanna come, let's go."

"I do" she hops on his shoulders "Hey, you been working out? "

"Yeah. A mortal workout in the mornings and combat practice in the afternoon." He pauses. "You know, if you wanted to feed or whatever, you could probably get more from my folks than coming with me."

"I could, but ah.. it's you I miss, big guy. " She smiles

"Yeah? Ok, your call..... " And he heads out, slipping downstairs as quietly as he can and calling "GoingoutforawhileI'lltextifIamoutlate!" from the door.

and out they go... "So, woods? Since social distancing or..." She asks

"I guess. Let me grab something at a drive through first."

"Sure..."

The thing buzzes "Welcome to the Meaty Minstrel, the DJ at your Belly Party. Can I take your order?"

"Doublemeat medley, fries, coke, and a cherry pie?"

"Uh... Aye. I doth."

"Verily" the voice says dryly "Your price comes to $11.86"

"Thanks." And he pulls up.

The bag waits, a slight grease stain forming in the bottom of the paper bag but it smells of MSG goodness

He pays and takes the bag.

Looks like they wear masks AND those stupid hats.

The guy there raises a brow "Dude...I think you go to my high school ...Basketball right?"

"Yeah."

"yeah.. I'm second squad. " THe guy says behind his mask "Saw you play.. I'm Steve, well, like there were 3 steves so I'm Steve L."

"Adam, the only one on the team. Maybe we'll get a team back next year. Thanks for dinner, man."

"Hey, not a problem.." A look left, a look right.. and he slides him something "Here...one small silly shake on me. They over charge for the cheery cherry pie" And he waves him off.

Adam'll take the food, and off they go; he heads to the woods, since that's what Nab asked for.

Nabuni says "Steve's fantasy is for a girl to tell him he's huge, that' it's just TOO Big... but.. she succumbs to it's pyhthon like hypnotic trance"

Sometimes picks the oddest times to 'talk shop'