#anywhere

"he's also learning to cast new cantrips!" Nab chimes

A shrug.

"Great. My kids are wizards and I'm still sputtering" Kyle jokes

"Nah. I'm not a wizard. Not very good with magic. Probably focus on other stuff. Combat."

"That's more my style, anyway."

"Well I'm proud anyway, and yes ,it doesn't surprise me you're athletic with swords and things " Brenda says and she does seem to mean it then "Adam, Grand Dame Bondraste , she seems very nice... and asked me to tell you that if you want a place to hold up when you're not on chores and things that you're welcome to join her in her room for tea and talk or tea and silence or no tea and either. "

"Oh." a little smile "That's nice of her. I'll be sure to say thank you."

"I like her," Kyle admits "Shes.. old school classy." He nods

"I like her too, a lot. She's very nice. I'm glad she's mentoring me."

"Sir Bachdion has been helping me a little when he's not been working with you," His mom says "He appreciates Poetry"

"Yeah." Adam frowns. "I should probably apologize to him. And the Baroness. Shit."

"Mmm?" His dad asks "About what?"

"I was kind of pissed off last night."

"I guess I said some things.... I could have put them better."

Kyle says "Mmm you've always been passionate. "

"Gets that from me, even before the horns" His mtoher says "Adam, I think if you think an apology is due, it probably is, but sounds like you're mature enough to deliver it gracefully."

"I'll figure something out."

"About you being pissed," His mom says "is there anything we can do to cheer you up? Help distract you?"

"Nah." Softly. "Really, I'll be ok. I'm still angry about some stuff and it hurts but..."

"See? I got out of bed and brushed my teeth and showered and dressed and everything."

His mom snorts "Smart ass" But she smiles "Okay.. I do worry"

And she strokes his hair "I'm sorry it hurts though"

"Thanks, mom." a hug.

A hug back and she nods "Well, like the letter said, we're here. So.. the pennons here soon. Are you going to take part?"

"I'll be there, probably. Not sure about what I'll be doing. Guess someone will tell me."

"You guys should go, up at Rivervale. I went once; it was pretty bad ass."

"Wait, are you doing Pennons here, or in Rivervale?" His mom asks

"Here, I guess?"

"Yeah, if anyone gets to beat up on you I want to watch" his dad says with dad humor

"Just saying, Rivervale's Pennons was pretty cool."

"Son, would you feel more at ease with us not there at pennons here?" His mom asks "It's okay if so"

"Either way, mom, really. You came to my games and I played ok. I just figured you have, you know, roots up in Jersey and you'd rather be there."

"Most of our roots are in New York state... but it's nice of you to worry about us" She says

"Supposed to be the other way around" His dad says

Nabuni says "Adam's a good guy and he does love you both"

"Yeah. Who says kids can't worry about and take care of their parents as well as vice versa."

"Save it for our resting home years" His mom smiles

A shrug; no promises.

A snort from his dad but a smile "Okay.. oh." As if remembering something "Got you something. " he offers a package

Adam takes it. "Should I open it?"

"Sure. It could be useful now" His mom says

He nods and opens it.

And finds a new phone, one with chimerical components!

A blink. "Guys?"

"Well, it's not something you NEEDED per se, but it's got some bells and whistles your current phone doesn't" His dad explains

He takes it and turns it over in his hands.

Feels good. And yes, a lot more advanced.

"Thanks....." still a little baffled, but pleased with it.

"Oh it also texts chimerically so you won't break the right of ignorance if say you text Zane ...and tell him 'hey, going to the baroness pennons party with the other changelings' etc"

Adam nods. "Cool! Thanks, guys." He smiles; a real smile, if short-lived.