#bergen_county

"You know what? Even in the mortal world folks on parole and prohbition can arrange time away ... You find out what three weeks YOU want.. and I'll fight for it. Okay? Invite Adam if you like"

She looks relieved, but then, she frowns a little. "If... If I'd just gone, and hadn't thought to get permission from the Count? What would... would he have..." She shivers a bit and refuses to look in the direction of the Butterfly. "...put me back there?"

"I don't think so.. I'd like to think not. Remember he doesnt' rule here. I think the Chieftain would be able to intervene, and while she can be infuriatingly stubborn... I know that Baroness Shacklebeaker is just"

She nods, but looks unsure. "Her husband - the Mountain? He's Liam too. Wouldn't he be, I don't know, beholden to a count of his house? "

"her Trueheart.... I think at MOST he'd distance himself if he felt a conflict. Frank King would walk through hell twice for his wife , three times if she asked."

A soft sigh, and she relaxes a touch. "There's something impressive of a love like that."

"Yes, but don't undersestimate a satyr's love! One time I watched SIX hours of Beach House Hunters with your aunt when she felt down.... and trust me, that's its own kind of hell.. 'no you idiots, you can't be six minutes from down town AND near the beach at any price'"

She laughs. "I her you. And speaking of... I should call Adam. Is Br.. Mrs. Thomas really gonna lock him up for the summer?" A small frown.

"If he says the phrase "i've made my decision' to his parents like that again, it's entirely possible they'll find a cozy dungeon" ahem "HOWEVEr.. I think they might understand him traveling a few weeks IF that's whwat you both want to try"

She snorts a bit. "I wonder what they'd say about the apartment..."

"Far as I know they have nothing against the apartment, but they did fuss about Adam getting drunk there"

She reddens a little, and responds, "Not that... we were talking, and I'd mentioned how I had, kinda... just playing with the idea of an apartment there. Not that I really want to leave, it was just something that occured to me. I DO like living with the fam." She adds on. "But he got really excited, and started talking about working full time to help pay rent... I had to dial it back a bit, it was just an idea really, but... maybe a trip together will help, y'know, see how we tolerate each other's company in case SOMEday..."

"Oh!" He says "Why.. well... I... mmm I shouldn't mention this but.. you know Caesar , the land lord , is one of us.. a satyr. He.. well, I have his contact information and he and I talked about... " A pause "Your Aunt and I have a room there in the complex"

She blinks. "Is that just for getaways?" A slight crook of a grin.

"That was the plan.. also for visiting family. We only have so many rooms with guests and such and ..well.. we thought 'if your moms visit' then.. they might want a bit of space wihtout fighting for a hotel'

"I've been thinking that it would be nice to have a place to go... not so much that I don't like living here, and that I'm ungrateful for you taking me in - it's not that at all! It's just being cooped up against the Plague is killin' me almost like... well... the plague."

"Well ah.. for me it's the reverse situation.. hardly time to go to the apartment as my computer set up to do publish or perish and tele educate is here. Mmm" The professor says "It seems to me we have a simple solution, how about you watch the place for us a few nights out of the week? With the proviso you have dinner with us now and then?"

She boggles at him. "D...do you mean it? Really?"

The professor says "Of course. I mean, I wouldn't say it otherwise. I may not be a wilder but I understand what it's like to be pent up or at least to FEEL so. Now understand, the apartment is still ours. We'll have a key so.. " A shrug "Might dim the light for you"

Before he can even really finish this last, she has thrown herself over to give him a hug.

"You DO remember what it's like to be a wilder! Even though it was so many many many ages ago!" Her eyes dance as she hugs her uncle.

A HUG returned "We'll try to call ahead if we visit" he adds

Then he chuckles

"I can help with the rent? "

"Really, I was thinking of getting a part time job..."

And a sudden calculating look, and she glances up. "Naaah I know what you want." A sigh.

"I'll buckle down, really. And try to finish the ends of the classes."

"Thank you" he says gratitified "And.. .I don't object to weekend part time if it helps you?"

"For what it's worth, online and all that.. and then when summer comes, a trip? I can work weekends to save up for that..."

"Seems reasonable..." he nods "We can work on details later. Now... one more thing... when you move into the apartment?"

"Yeah?" Bouncing excitedly on her hooftips.

"Get your BOYFRIEND to do the heavy lifting, or some other wilders. I'm a professor, not a Forklift" a hurumph but a chuckle after

She laughs and gives him another hug, and leans up to smooch his cheek. "Have I mentioned that you're my most favoritest Uncle?"

"And It's not like I have much stuff. I mean, have guitar, will travel?"

"Well i won't lie, nice to have the title.. and I know you aren't overly materialistic but you still will need some furniture to sit on"

"Mmmmm hmmmm. I can furnish a few things I think..." Already decorating in her head.

"You know.. I can get you a good deal on a beanbag from one of my students" he ponders

"And you don't need to worry about me not coming home for dinner. Please ask Auntie about the time I tried to make Mac n Cheese. I don't think even Dirk would have eaten it."

"Ooo that's bad. " he laughs "Well, that explains something your moms said"

"What's that?"

"That you being a vegetarian was twice as kind... most vegetarians spare the animal the eating. you also spare them cooking"

She groans and makes a face. "That was Vera! She got made when I tried to make a southern mother's day meal and it was "an insult to cornbread". Oh, but she still ate it."

"Of course she did. Two things she loves... Cornbread and you"

That gets him another hug. "I better get to planning. Oh.. and... maybe if you have time later? I DID have an idea for a better topic for my civil war essay... if you wouldn't mind me bouncing the idea off you."

"Please, go ahead. I even promise not to suggest improvements until you ask for them" He nods

"Will do." And she clatters back up the stairs to start her plans and her homework, with a fresh outlook on both.

Her uncle smiles, and turns to his wife "Darling, turns out I'm her favorite Uncle. And sans pony no less."

Marsha smiles "I knew you could do it. " A pause "What got you the title?"

"I may have given her our apartment" He admits.

"Oh Cornelius," She sighs but kisses him