#anywhere

SPLOSH!

The Narwhal rises

The bay that Siv chose is secluded enough that the only one who is surprised by their arrival was a sleeping sea lion that barks disapproval and flops into the surf to swim off. Still, close enough that with minimal land travel, they're approaching the bar, set up on a waterfront pier with great views, and a live band setting up in the corner to provide ambient music enough to cover private conversations.

"Sorry" Siv says to the sea lion. And after they dismount from the ship, she retrieves it back to it's bottle

Bottle safely secured!

"Should I call a Knight's Heart cab or should we walk for awhile?" Jonas inquires

"Oh, let's walk. It's nice to get my hooves in the sand..." Indeed, Piper has already kicked off her sandles and is wiggling her toes/hoofsies into the warm beach.

Siv smiles "We should do this more often, the three of us. Jersey's not just some polluted forest and surburbs with small filthy cities but I know you miss the cali beaches"

"I've seen what you call beaches on the East Coast... They're fine in a pinch...."

An old complaint, but a good natured one.

Jonas says "in fact, east coast beaches often have warmer water and at certain time of years, better waves despite pacific boasting." Is he egging her on?

She turns her gaze up and sticks a tongue out at him. "Right, East Coast beaches are better, and the Narwhal is about as good as one of those swan-shaped paddle boats they rent out at the lake..."

"HEY now, do not bring my other girlfriend into this" Siv says at that

A giggle as they approach the more bustling areas and Piper reluctantly pulls her footware back on to walk up the boardwalk towards the piers.

Jonas smirks "A girlfriend you won't anyone else take charge of"

"Unfair but there we have it" Siv says giggling herself

"Yooooooo hooooo!" A paisley handkerchief is waved by Vera as the kinain tries to get their attention from a table near the water. Viola has a menu, and there is already a pitcher of blended margaritas on the table, and a couple glasses showing that the older coupon started while they waited.

"How many sheets to the wind do you think they are by now?" Siv asks Piper

Jonas waves back!

Piper considers, "On what scale? Looks like they're just getting started, but that's like... maybe just one pitcher. I don't recommend trying to keep pace with Vera, even with Troll stamina on your side."

Chairs are waiting for them at the pier-side table, and a few seagulls also hang around hopefully, though as of yet the satyr and kinain lady couple hasn't ordered any snacks for them to consider stealing.

Vera starts pouring glasses as soon as they arrive, and waves to the waitstaff for a new pitcher. "Pleasure to see you, Siv, Jonas." A friendly smile, "Do you want the regular margaritas, or they have strawberry, guava, watermelon..."

"Strawberry sounds wonderful" Siv says "GOod to see you too, Vera, Viola"

Viola puts in an order for snacks - chips and guac, truffle fries, and some deep-fried cauliflower bites. Piper beams. "My favorites! Jonas, they're supposed to have good wings here if you want something a little heartier, or they have burgers I think?"

Vera says, "better order some, or double the snacks, it looks like your boy here can eat." A compliment, of sorts.

"Guilty" Jonas confides "Though no need to make a fuss over me, Ma'am. I'll order the wings"

"So how have you two been?" Siv inquires as she tribes some cauliflower bites

"Well enough, for a couple of grumps." Viola says, though Piper quickly argues back that she's not as old as all that. "Teaching music to kids who half want to learn and half think it's an easy elective."

Vera chimes in, "I'm the smart one - I don't waste time on kids who don't want to listen, but let folk pay me to play to their crowds. Once I crack the wine bar scene, I won't even have to count tips."

They chat for a while, sounds like life is going well, nothing much out of the ordinary.

"But what's the occasion? Pippy doesn't generally call us up unless she wants something, or it's mother's day or a birthday." Vera says, a bit pointedly. Viola tsks, "No, she send us those pictures from her trip with Mickey."

"Right, Mickey." Vera chimes in, and refills her glass.

Vera eyes Piper who is sipping at her water, and raises a brow a little.

Siv says "Well, we have some amazing news. " Taking lead as Piper seems ..cautious "Wonderful news to your ears too, we hope?"

Jonas smiles and nudges Piper to see if she wants to handle this

Piper sets down the napkin she was fiddling with and smiles to both ladies, "Well, I'm pregnant. We wanted you to be among the first to know." Not quite a fib, I mean, on the grand scheme of population that is certainly true!

Vera was mid sip and starts coughing, and Vera reaches over to whack her helpfully on the back a couple times.

"You're going to be grandmas" Siv says helpfully

A splutter from Vera!

"Twins!" Jonas gushes

Piper gives a sheepish grin. "We're very happy, and hoped you would be too."

Vera clears her throat finally and says, "Piper, hun, it's good that you came to us. We can help, of course."

Viola eyes her wife, "Vee, darlin..." But the kinain continues. "There's medication, and if you're too far along, surgery - or if you're set on seein' it through, we can find a nice foster, we're still in touch with the network that set us up with you."

Piper tries to interrupt. "Momma Vee, No, we're keeping the babies. Siv, and Jonas, and me."

"It was Piper's choice, o course" Siv says "But , she's having them and we will love them, all three of us"

Jonas's good cheer dimmed a bit at the mention of fostering and such but he nods with Siv

Vera sets her drink down. "Baby, be reasonable. You're still just a wilder yourself. You got no business fast-trackin' your life into being a grump just because you got weighed down with a temporary condition. What about your career? I know you're starting to get a bigger name on the festival circuits. You know you can't follow that with a babe on your hip."

"I'll be caring for the babies at home when need be," Jonas says firmly

"We're moving into a bigger apartment, plenty of room" Siv adds

"You say that now, but Siv is a Fiona knight errant, and she's always off gallivanting on ships. And you, Jonny-boy, answer to the Chieftain of Rivervale, do you not? Shame on you both for saddling our girl with this. We didn't raise our baby this way. Why, when her mother-"

"VERA MCCORMICK, you button your lips." Viola snaps over at Vera, and the surprise is enough that the kinain actually stops. Viola takes a breath, and looks to Piper. "We're happy for you. We are, honest. BOTH of us. It's just a surprise. But if you're happy and you want this..."

Piper, whose head was spinning a bit, nods to Viola. "I do. WE do."

"...then we'll support you the best we can."

SIv's hand went to her hilt at that, but Viola's quick defense has Siv stop there

Jonas says "In point of fact... I do not answer to the Chieftain any more than you answer to your local baron. "

Piper speaks up. "Siv and Jonas have made it CLEAR that they respect and support me in what -I- choose. And I did think about it, and I.. we... WANT these babies. We're a family, and we're going to be a bigger one, and that's that."

Vera is tight lipped at the moment, but Viola nods. "That's all that matters, then. We love you, no matter what."

"If you are concerned my first loyalty will not be to Piper, Siv, and the children... " Jonas continues "I do not blame you for being worried. It has been brought to my attention I often do not prioritize well in that I try to help everyone. Rest assured, my focus is now on the women I love, and our children to come. We appreciate that you're willing to support Piper's choice, whatever it is. "

Then Siv's hand removes from the hilt, and a look of confusion enters her face

Piper reaches and takes one of Siv's hands in her own. "I have never had any reason to doubt EITHER of my lovers, and I don't now either. They will be the BEST parents, and I'll be doing my best to keep up, to tell the truth. And it's not like we don't have a support network back home."

Vera blinks a bit at this, and says, her voice a little quieter, "Time was that you called this home."