#bergen_county

(End scene)

...Somewhere else in Bergen, a sluagh stirs in bed. Despite his best efforts in blocking up all views outside from his basement lair, a curtain has gotten pulled aside and a stray beam of light shines in through the small block glass window at ground level. It bounces cheerily off his cheek until he cracks an eye open. "Beltaine again." A grumpy sigh and he pulls the blanket over his head and tries to go back to sleep until World-wide Seelie Day is over.

txt: Hey, Sy, you coming out today? Tove made this pudding last week and dude it has SPOTS. Included is a picture of said leopard-spotted pudding, complete with the sad, watery brown remains of strawberries. The fruit's mold looks almost like powdered sugar!

He cracks an eye at the buzz and peers at the screen, and he can't help but give a small, thin lipped smile. And a peer at the time. Another soundless sigh. But, he turns slightly, ear canted up towards the ceiling above. Soon, if not already, footsteps will be rattling about the kitchen. Boggans may need to do their quickwork unobserved, but he still hears her bustling at sub-sonic speeds. A stretch that would leave yoga instructors in envy, and he crawls from the bed.

Txt: Sure. Maybe I can come by early before the rush hits the lodge?

txt: Party might be too loud for you, yeah. Can visit Barn?

Txt: Sure, I'll head over. need anything? i know your ma has been banned from shopping

txt: idk? think we're ok

txt: k, brt

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((Elsewhere, for now......))
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Adam, showered, groomed, and dressed, walks downstairs. "Mom? Dad?"

He pokes around, looking for them. "MOM?? DAD??"

Their bedroom door opens "Yes, Son?"

Its his father wearing a bathrobe

"Oh, uh, sorry." He finds something else to look at, maybe the wall..... the paint is interesting..... "Sometime, I have something to talk about with you and mom. Today, if we can. But no rush."

"Have a seat, we'll join you once your mom is out of the shower and dressed, okay?"

"Kay....." and he flops down on the couch.

Soon they join him

"Everything okay?" his mother says

"Yeah. Great, in fact! Uh. So. So school's going to be out for summer soon. Not that it's in much, really."

"Yes." his father says "They're suggesting parents keep their children occupied with remedial courses"

"Which, you know, I'm passing so I don't need."

"Ds pass.. and if you're making Ds you need... BUT... go on" His mother says

"I'm not making D's....." a weary sigh. Parents. "Anyway... so.... Guys, we're not a... a typical family anymore. Right?"

"Let's just say the term typical has more breadth than it used to" Mr. Thomas says cautiously

Adam nods. "Right, I mean... except for me, you guys are kinda typical Fae.... and except for you, I'm typical mortal, kinda... but all together, well... I mean, we can't expect to live life like we used to, before this, right?"

"Sure we can" Her mother says "Changelings live among mortals appearing eccentric at most all the time. Others blend right in. Don't worry honey, we won't risk the right of ignorance. As far as OTHERS see us we're just hum drum familiy.." A smile

"Yeah, but -we- know different. Don't we?"

"Son, I feel like you're trying to sell us a car and while it looks good, it's got a POS engine." His dad says "What is it you're getting at?"

"I'm taking the summer off."

"Off.. the driving job?" His dad raises a brow "Knights Heart ?"

"No. Well, maybe but I'm going ... I don't know but ... Adventuring."

His mother breaks out into a fond laugh

He bears this nobly.

Then she blinks as he goes stoic "Oh god, you're serious."

He nods, once, but emphatic and sure.

"What are you adventuring for?" Kyle asks

"Adventure!" A quick grin, the boy they remember. "Whatever's out there. New places! Travel.... and, you know? Just... being independent. On our own."

"Adam... how old do you think you are?" His father says

His mother says "What your father is trying to say is.. it's a bit soon for independent travel for long periods"

"I'm 16. I can drive. I have a car. I work. I keep my grades up. I'm going in the summer. I won't be alone."

"What about your duties at the lodge? They still have you patrol a lot," Mr. Thomas says "Sir Vali says you have been a big help."

A shrug. "People come and go all the time there. Sylvi's upstate half the time, Siv lives in Missouri now, Dag's worth about three of any other people you'd want to put together, Zane, Symon, Dirk, they're all here. And that's just the wilders; there's Sir Vali, Dame Tiffany, those two college guys.... -and- the Chief, Mountain and Hearth."

"I'm good, but they don't -need- me. Not for three or four months. I plan to come back."

"Siv lives in a holding.... Sylvi 's 'half the time' is from one hold to another... and I think half the time is an exageation. And Dagmar can't be in three places at once. " Her mmother says "And WE need you here"

"We do," Kyle points out "Son, I know chores don't seem glamourous, but lawn mowing and more save us both so much time."

"If I can get someone to cover that?"

"Adam, I don't know how you feel abouot this, but your father and I LIKE our famiily? Including you? We were hoping to spend the summer together? or did you forget we usually havde a family vacation every summer?"

Kyle nods "Every Summer, four weeks if we can manage it. you know how few families can take a four week vacation?"