#anywhere

"Of course you do, you're like 8 foot tall" His wife smiles

"You want to see the garden?" Adam offers.

"Certainly" THey agree and follow

Adam points out the hedge maze, the weeping willow picnic area, the pooka-platforms, way over there is the stables.......

Dame Honoria ap Dougal and Dame Leonora walk by talking to each other.

Mr. Thomas is not blind, ,and notices them "I take it you don't do most of your studying out here?"

Adam's voice trails off and his eye track........

"Definitely not out here" The satyress mom says though she also evaluates

Adam bumps into his father absently as he keeps his eyes on the ladies.

His father guides his son so he doesn't fall or run into anything.

"Sorry....." mumbled.

"It's okay. If it weren't for troll will power your mom would be guiding ME away from walls" Mr Thomas admits.

"Hmph, who says I'm not already?" Mrs. Thomas comments

A deep sigh from Adam.

"Ah" And his dad blushes

"It is the curse of we sidhe, I fear" A voice says from an adult swing under a tree limb in the shade

Adam glances over, trying to place the voice.

Grand Dame Bondraste looks up from her tea and book

Adam smiles. "Grand Dame." He bows. "May I present my parents?"

She rises, sitting book and tea aside.

Adam walks them over. "Grand Dame Bondraste ap Fiona, my pleasure to present my parents, Kyle and Brenda Thomas. Mom, Dad, this is Grand Dame Bondraste, one of my mentors here."

"Oh my" She looks at them both, but most especially Mrs. thomas, and she mouths something softly, then speaks up "Young Adam has told me of you, but I didn't expect you to look so young. Fine additions to kithain the both of you. Oh, but where is Lily?"

"Oh," Mrs. Thomas says "Lily is with a babysitter"

Adam is quiet, watching the Grand Dame.

"In Bergan." Mr. Thomas says

"Of course," Bondraste says "Please please forgive me if I sit again?"

She taps the bench next to her "Join me, please, Brenda"

"Well, thank you" Brenda does "Are you the one teaching my son manners?"

"Oh, Adam is a born gent and learns quickly there" Bondraste says then looks at Adam "Aren't you, Adam?"

"I am trying, Grand Dame, thank you."

"Well, I'm grateful" Brenda says "he seems most impressed with all three of his mentors and I'm just glad so much help has come from Earth Runes"

"Indeed" Kyle says "Adam's one of a kind."

"That he is, that he is" Bondraste nods "And you're welcome, Adam. "

He grins and stares at his shoes.

"Truth to tell, some of us were rough on Adam, testing him out. He kept trying though and that's important to Fiona" The Grand Dame says "I think he and Sir Bachdion have already had some fun with travel"

"Oh? Now I think I want souviners" His mom says

"I'll get some for you the next time, mom." He promises.

That gets him a kiss on the cheek "Thanks, Sweetie"

"Welcome."

"Just remmeber to bring a mask" His dad advises

"Yes, sir."

"Thanks, Son" He says

Adam notices Bondraste looks at his mother kindly, but kind of sadly at times.

"Grand Dame, is everything ok?"

"Oh yes, dear. Just distracted. " ANd suddenly the dear old woman is all smiles again

He nods, accepting.

The conversation turns to questions to Adam from his parents about details he's willing to share. And... his dad asks "Do they have a basketball hoop somewhere here?"

"At the local park." Adam confirms.

"Good. Don't want your mad skills to deteriorate" His dad says, then says to Bondraste "Adam is crazy about Basketball, or was."

"Oh I'm sure, fun game. I played a game or two as a wilder myself" Grand Dame says "A LONG time ago"