#bergen_county

"I'll come back. We could take a winter vacation, or a spring.... assuming school starts on schedule at all!"

"That's not very considerate of the family to demand we change everything ..." His mom says "Maybe you could invite Piper ON our vacation instead?"

"Then go on vacation without me. I'll be on vacation anyway." A beat. "Piper?"

"Or Zane," Her mother says "But I'm guessing it's one of them you want to go on this 'journey adventure ' thing"

A shrug. "Maybe. Look, I want you guys to be ok with this."

Kyle sahys "Okay, first, thank you for that. And for coming to us. But to us this is a bit sudden and out of the blue. How about your mother and I talk about this, suss it over, and decide later"

Adam shifts, reluctant. "Dad. I -have- decided. But if you want to take some time with it, talk again, ok."

His father's brow narrows then he says "Son. You're making a lot of assumptions here. And I..."

A hand on Kyle's shoulder , then Brenda looks at Adam "Adam. WE're going to talk about it now. And nothing yet is written in stone. "

The boy's expression suggests THAT isn't so, but he says nothing, only nods.

Klyle says "We'll talk again with you later today"

"Okay. Thanks." And he rises to go.

And they let him go.

.... outside, for his morning workout.

"So...I guess he thought we'd gotten too comfortable" Bernda says , trying yoga breathing techniques

"Yeah. HIS Car. Mmm HE'S decided. " Kyle says

"I need to talk to Kerri. Tell her we're honestly NOT letting this shit happen on purpose" Brenda sighs

"Well you guess right on Piper I think" he ponders

"Yes, yes I..." She sits up "Mmm..."

..................................

(ELSEWHERE in Bergen)

"Why do I have to be the bad guy?" the professor says

"Because she likes me and I need her affection" Marsha pushes her husband

And Professor Wayburton knocks on PIper's bedroom door

"AHem? Piper?"

"Mmmm....10 more minutes..."

"Piper, I'm afraid it's quite serious" The professor says

A sigh and a minute or so of fumbling, and a messy-haired, sleepy-eyed Piper opens the door, straightening her PJs. "I was dreaming about brunch, and Mama Viola had made her sourdough hoe cakes..." A soft sigh.

"Yes well..." A breath "I'm afraid neither of us gets her hoe cakes today. They ARE good aren't they?"

She rubs at her eyes to clear her vision a bit. "What's up though? Is everyone okay?"

"I very much doubt you'll think so. Would you like to talk in your room, or prefer my study? I can get us some coffee or juice"

"Gimme just one sec, and uh, sure, juice?" She closes the door, and dresses in a a hurry that she normally reserves for REMOVING clothes, and splashes a bit of water on her face before rejoining the Professor in his study.

The professor has the juice ready, and a seat ..he's not using his desk, perhaps to reassure he's not trying to be a teacher? But he doesn't look comfortable . "Perhaps I should start with an apology. About my behavior. I can be a bit stand offish by our kith's standards. Oh I will direct the traggos, but I'm not always chummy"

"Uncle Neely, what's wrong?" She leans in, concerned. "Did someone... is someone sick? Are my moms... everyone is okay, right? You're scaring me."

"oh my... I didn't mean to do that" he says honestly "First. Your moms are fine, but worried about YOU. No one in your immediate family or friends is sick that i know of. However, apparently Brenda is in a bit of a panic that Adam is running away from home for the summer. She mentioned you would be going along.. and that.. that leads to other problems"

"Running away from home?" Her eyes widen, surprise and confusion... then slowly piecing together their call from last night. "Oh... I mean, I was talking about wanting to take a trip somewhere... this quarantine has got me going bonkers, and I thought Adam could... I mean, he's a Wilder too, for all that he's on the mortal side of things, and it's summer... so I don't see what the problem might be?" She chews at her lip - not disingenuous, but it looks like she honestly hadn't thought there might be an issue.

"Your mothers are worried it will violate..." He says "oh dear, there's no kind way to put this. They're worried it might violate your parole if your' gone for more than a month"

Parole. There's the word. Hanging there.

And a flapping of butterfly wings

Piper goes still, then shoots a look over at the butterfly. It had been rather dormant lately, she'd almost managed to forget that it was there. Her gaze now though, if looks could kill, it would be a double-gunned bugzapper. Then she gives a desperate, pleading look back at her uncle. "I did my time, and I've been good. I've followed the rules, played nice, and stuck to my seelie instincts through the whole winter, and lemme tell you, it's not always easy! Am I just going to be a... a prisoner, my whole life?"

"No." he says "If I thought that was so, I would help smuggle you out of Concordia myself." He says firmly "But you are under watch... as you know. You are still free to quest and adventure.. but the entire summer month might be seen.. no, I fear it WOULD be seen as a break of part of your early release . Mrs. Thomas is worried for Adam trying to depart for 3 months when he hasn't a clue.. and I can see why she might. he is still kinian. His enchantments would fade pretty fast leaving him confused. It's not like a kithian, he can't get his own glamour. You could, and while I'd miss you.... your aunt would andwell we all would, I'd be the first one to cheer you on if you wanted to tour parts of the country, broaden the mind"

"I wouldn't let him fade..." She insists, almost affronted, but she wilts at his assessment of her parole agreement. She stares down at her hands, not wanting to meet his gaze, or worse, catch a glimpse of the fluttering in the corner of her eyes. A tear splashes onto her hands and is brushed angrily away. "I just wanted... I didn't think it would be such a, a problem."

"It shouldn't be" He sighs "Damn it. It really shouldn't. Piper... you've been a JOY to have here. You've helped with the Traggo, you've set a good example for Zane, you make your aunt very proud. If I have appeared to ignore you, it's mostly because you haven't needed me much. Lydia thinks you're the coolest cousin 'ever' " He says "But while Adam's nice, he's .. not the one we look out for. It's you. I had a whole NOTHER speech for something else ... this? this was sudden"

She blinks, rubbing at her nose against a sniffle that threatens to come out. "What was the other speech?"

"One about how I really really want you to graduate high school... and also how College is wonderful and you should definitely go" He says a bit awkwardly "i'm a professor. You think I'm going to have another side to that?"

She can't help but smile a little at that. "No, I can't say that I would expect any less... it's just... maybe it's not the right path for me? I don't know anymore. Everything is so crazy out there these days. I was hoping that a little time away would help clear my head, honestly..."

"Now that's fair.. a little time is relative.. forget Adam for a second.. how long would you like to take a break for?"

She blinks. "Forget Adam? That's kinda a tall order."

"I mean no insult. I mean.. if the whole adam thing wasn't a factor either way, how long would you want to be out and about?"

She unnettles at that. "Oh, I dunno... maybe... three weeks?" She offers, casting a glance over to see his reaction. "Under the gun of that... month deadline, but enough time to really get into a fresh mindset?"