#anywhere

Son of a bitch. Sure enough, if she uses something reflective to angle some light down there.. she can see a library book..well out of reach

She makes a face, and sticks her arm down. "Tossed by bullies cruel, there still is hope for renewal. Out from the sodden clasp, into my waiting grasp..." a whispered bunk to gimmix the book to her hand.

And the mythology book jedis it's way back to her grip!

She pulls the abused book the rest of the way out, and surveys the damage.

Not as bad as it might have been , dirty a bit.. but nothing a further gimmix can't clean off

She nods, and checks the inside for a name.

The library in question is listed in the inside, and it's currently checked out to a Stuart Hoffman

"Hm." Small town. She gets up and stuffs the book and her sketchbook back into her satchel. Getting out her phone - Hoffman... Fort Davis... how many results can turn up?

Mm only 3 folks with the last name Hoffman in town. Probably related

No Stuart, but that is the kid so... not like it would be under his name

Welp, she can hike to the closest one!

A good move, for there is one fairly new to the park..a nd that would indicate someone might come here.

Can't hurt!

And so, she goes. Finding the house...

It's a small enough house, nothing fancy, but the style is very south western and that means it looks..well, different from the Missouri shotgun houses or Jersey farmhouse styles she's seen. the yard is small, the mailbox non descript. The door has a nice touch of a diamond like glass window pattern.

Well, innocuous enough. Sparrow approaches and knocks on the door. Shave-and-a-hair-cut.

The door opens, and a harried looking woman in her mid to late thirties opens the door "yes? I'm sorry, if this is about a church I'm sure it's lovely but I have to get to my office."

"Oh, not trying to cause any trouble. Does a Stuart Hoffman live here? He lost a book."

"Stuart" the woman says calling up some stairs

Sparrow kenns the mother, and is prepared to kenn the reportedly "odd boy" too.

The mother might be a kinain, but the blood is thin in her if so... and the daily grind is making it hard for her to touch it.

Stuart comes down... and her kenning picks up that this neebish boy with the thick glasses is indeed a changeling soul. One that has lost it's magic and drifted asleep again. No Chrystalid this

She fishes the library book from her bag. "Hey there, sorry. This had your name in it!" She infuses the book with a touch of her own glamour.

"You got it out" he says happily "Thank you" And he takes the book... and the glamour stirs his soul

Sparrow takes a half step back to give him room.

There's no boom, no explosion.. that fae soul is realized already, more like ice melting rather than explosion.

The Owl Pooka blinksk "Who.. who are you?" For he is caught off guard . Oh geez.. he's probably going to be a fine wilder onee day, a dignified grump to be sure.. but as a Childling, even an older kid, he's still such a FLOOF!

"Stuart?" His mom says "Are you okay?"

"Strong as Achiellies with shin guards, mom" he seems happier. of course he is. he is himself

Her own wings fluff at the discovery of feathered-kin!

"Oh, I'm new." She pulls down her mask to flash a reassuring smile. "Listen, I know you need to get to work. I'm going to get on my way to the cafe."

"Okay. I'm about to head to work. Thank you for returning the library book" The mom says "The fees are terrible"

Stuart bblinks.. and nods as he processes . He knows where the cafe is. And will be there

"Lucky find. You have a great day at work, Ms. Hoffman." She pulls her mask back up and waves.

And out the wwoman goes. Apparently Julia just isn't seen as a threat, especially aftera book was returned.

And Stuart appears to be something of a latch key kid

Sparrow takes her time. Stuart will catch up.

And he does... as she's almost to the cafe, Stuart comes up, back pack and more "Hey, Nike.. I mean...you know..?"

"Oh, full of compliments. You can call me Sparrow. Nice to meet the real you, Stuart - or is there a better name?"

"Stew works... I mean, it gets the redcaps hopeful" he says "I tried a fancier name, like Owlmandius? Look upon my works ye mighty and despair... but folks leave in the middle of the speech so Stew is fine."

"Well then. Welcome back, Stew." She's still walking to the cafe - Hope should be working today.

Hope is and she smiles. It's mostly mortals here. this isn't a freehold after all... but her eyes light up to see the lady, and doubly so to see Stew "Stew... haven't seen you in awhile. " She motions them to a private spot for two sort of out of earshot of the rest of the area "What'll it be?"

"A latte for me, please. Um. Is there an extra south-western flavor? I'll try that. And whatever Stew wants."

"Well, we have some Pepitas seeds..t hough that's kind of a fancy way of saying pumpkin.. oh I know" She winks "One South West coffee comng up"

Stew says ""Could you igloo that for me, please, hope?" he gets an iced tea

"I know it has been a while for you - still getting details there. But if you look... the numbers are gone." She taps the side of her neck. "HE is gone."

"He is? " he touchees his own neck, then grins "he is."

And Sparrrow's coffee is set before her "For you on the housee" the boggan whispers

She blushes prettily. "Too kind, Aunt Hope." A lower tone. "Sorry, I needed cover."

"Geez, I don't look THATA old do I?" She says, then smiles "It's fine"