#bergen_county

A nod. "That would be Lady Lowe, of House Aesin." A pause as Brekke seems to weigh options.

Adam is guarded.

"I have debated whether even to mention this to you, but it is well you know what factors are at play. Lady Lowe approached me, Adam. She wished to trade Larry to me in exchange for my servant. She was referring to you."

Adam's eyes go wide and it's impossible to know if that sounds good, or bad, to him.

Brekke notes this. "I declined the trade. I had to do so carefully, so that the sidhe would not be insulted. I do not know if she will try to approach you directly." A pause. "I would know your thoughts about this."

"I didn't say -anything- to her! Or anyone else who was Sidhe! Dag was with me the whole time!"

Brekke shakes her head. "I did not suggest that you did. But she noticed you."

"She did?"

"Apparently. Adam, I wish to know what you think of the request she made."

"To trace me for him?"

Brekke nods once, watching him.

"That's... I mean... it's a long way away. How... I mean, how would that work?"

Simply, "She would put you under protocol, as Larry is. If necessary, she said she could make your parents forget that they ever had you as a child."

He blinks. "No, that's not cool."

An eyebrow. "I was not certain that you would feel that way."

"I mean, she's... I'd like... but my parents.... no."

"You are saying...that that is a condition you are not willing to entertain. The loss of your family connections." A pause. "But you would consider the protocol, otherwise? The servitude?"

A shrug.

"Words, please, Adam. I need to know your thinking."

"Uh. Well. Yeah? I mean, it wouldn't be ok to do to my folks, right? And my sister."

She nods. "I agree with your sense of family, and of duty to them. But I asked about the rest. The use of protocol, or of having the role of servant."

Another shrug.

"Adam. Words."

"Sorry, ma'am. Uh. Doesn't seem like a big deal."

A slow nod. "Interesting. Well...I told her that I hoped that you would be able to serve myself for now, and later Dame Dagmar. My intent was to indicate that you are seen as valuable, not easily traded. Please understand that if word gets back to you. I thought it wise to speak to you first on this before another might tell you what was said."

Adam's expression is.... interesting. "Uh. Thank you."

A furrowed brow. "What are you thinking?"

"Huh? You can't see? Uh...... No, just... uh, thank you."

"Can't see? I..." A blink. "Adam, are you under the impression that I am a mind-reader?"

".....No."

"Hm. Well, I find your expressions difficult to read. Perhaps it is only that I am old." A glint of amusement.

Adam does not seem to know what to say.

She shakes her head. "It is all right, Adam. So...that is all I wished to tell you. I hope you enjoyed your Pennons. You did very well at assisting with the joust."

"I... I loved it. Thank you, for letting me come."

"I am glad." She starts to turn to go, but then pauses. "What have you been told of Samhain?"

A grin he can't hide, then he swallows it and says "Uh. Everyone is, uh, different. UN."

"You know."

A troubled look, but she nods. "We will not remember much of what happens that night. You...you might. I will ask you to be honorable in how you use this knowledge."

"Uh.... not sure what you mean. Ma'am."

A sigh. "Our 'UN' natures, as you put it...many are not honorable, nor healthy, nor wise. Much will be hidden by the mists, but your gift allows you to reside in a strange space of vision and memory. I do not know what you will remember. I..." she pauses. "I suppose that I am asking you to...." Another pause. A frown. Then she shakes her head. "Never mind. Good evening to you, Adam." She turns and gets into the Jeep.

"Yeah." He deflates. " Okay."

"And thank you again for your work at Pennons," she says through the open window as she starts the Jeep. Then she backs out and drives off.

Adam texts Dagmar, and then heads off.

---------

"Dagmar?" A knock on Dagmar's door.

"...Yeah?"

"can I come in?"

It's Tove

"Yuh-huh."

Tove comes in, dressed casually enough, hands crossed. but she looks about the place.