#bergen_county

She gives her head a shake. "I'm..." She bites her lip a bit. "I'm TRYING to keep an open mind. But I'm pretty damn upset. And just... I dunno, wanted to bounce it off you to see if I'm taking things the wrong way before I seethe over the wrong thing." And a quick raise of her hand. "And I'm not planning to do anything - really, I was on the outside of this so it wasn't myself being wronged by any of the parties... except via moral outrage."

"Well, no one is happy with the MEndoza ssiters drugging folks and robbing them, but Brenda did cross more than one line... the maypole is a sacred symbol to many of us. Her ignorance..well, if she were already sained she'd be out of the traggo... add to it the treatement of her taking 'justice' in her own hands in .. THAT fashion" The Professor frowns "You're not the only one upset."

"Is it..." She bites at her lip. "Does it reflect poorly on me that I'm not as upset about the twins rolling unsuspecting guys, as I am about them being shamed for being teases?"

"I might be confused, it was my understanding they were shamed for being thieves?" He says and lookss at Marsha

"Tease was also on one of the banners" Aunt Marsha says

"They were labeled 'tease' and something about getting guys drunk and laughing at them... and stripped to their skivvies. Honestly if they hadn't TOLD us about the money thing, I would have thought it all a big slut shame."

"Ah yes," The professor scowls "it wasn't her place to 'shame them' period. But that is a very unfortunate direction to take that."

"And on BELTAINE at that."

"When I'd hope that folk would loosen up a little and let themselves enjoy it without worrying too much about social morals... and it's like, let's go ahead and set ourselves back a few decades."

Then a thoughtful look. "Well, maybe not that far. Kinda wish I'd seen the 70's..."

Refocusing.

"And to answer your question... what upsets you more is a matter of your own personal values and life experiences. I think , and I admit I have not done a study, yes, a woman being shamed is, Sadly, far more common and prevelent in mortal society than a woman rollling young men for money. One is invasively even in our very medium. THe other has few people making lame excuses. I could debate that the betrayal of hospitality coupled with the theft makes it extra disgusting... but that does not excuse shaming them for showing off sensuality "

Marsha gets Piper a drink

"Do you think they'll get kicked out of the apartments?" She looks worried. "...or that maybe that complex isn't that great a place? I mean - thank you, Auntie - I still want to go stay there... but now I'm wondering if I should get a better lock on the door, so to speak. Rivervale has been so... wholesome? I Guess? That I'm startled to hear about something happening that may not have surprised me back in, say, one of the hostels over in Palo Alto."

She sips the iced tea gratefully.

"Actually, the sisters have promised to change their ways. They want to pay everyone back... the super was going to expel them... but, Brenda actually claims it's not necessary. She thinks while she gave the wrong punishment, she DID punish them and it's unfair to punish them twice without giving them a second chance. She says that she is hoping for forgiveness and it's wrong of her to do that if she cant give others a chance for the same. She said 'My son got Cosbyed, I lost my shit, but I should have gone to others instead of trying to seduce them and turning the tables to leave them hanging like that'"

Marsha frowns "I don't think COSBYEd is the right term , but she was , by her own admission, not quite thinking straight" Piper's Aunt looks to her niece "That's why the traggo tonight. There are customs. I think they're horrible, but your uncle says it maybe required to set things right"

"I'm glad they're getting another chance." She looks a bit relieved. "I mean... well, I'm biased towards that, I guess."

"Adam is a... well, he would be considered a wilder, if he was fae. I get her being protective, but maybe he should have had a chance to fight his own battle..."

"Apparently Adam tore up the check" The professor says "When they tried to pay him back"

Thoughtful. "Well, that's his call then."

"Yes. I suppose, but it annoyed Leya who wanted to get a clean slate." he says

"Redemption is very hard" Marsha says

"I guess I can see it both ways." And a nod to Marsha.

At this point, the idea of 'amends' by satyr style brings up some ugly images... before they had human halves to off set their fae natures, satyrs had no problem dragging even Hera through the mud after violating her as revenge... but surely not! No.. they would never.

But..beat someone with reeds through a gauntlet?

Shear them.. oh.. the shearing!

Hair.. off the head and off the legs

No wonder Aunt Marsha used the term barbaric

She looks a bit more troubled. "The punishments that come to mind are pretty embarassing. I guess.. not much more than being shamed on Beltaine embarrasingly. Nothing lasting...." A glance to the Professor. "Do you know what's planned? I mean, she ISN'T sained yet so some of the blame... if any... I'd think, maybe would go on whoever should have been teaching her. Uh, not that I'm calling you out just 'cuz you're an authority around here. DID someone actually take over her how-to's and all that? It's weird when an adult chrysalizes, and the Thomas fam more than most."

"Truth to tell, it IS on me.. if anyone" He frowns "I took them under the wing on and off, well, at least Brenda. This is my failing. But I will have to go to the Chieftain and take whatever punishment SHE would bestow on Brenda. As for what punishement We put on Brenda? That's one of things we will vote for. "

"how is shaming someone for shaming someone a solution?" Marsha says "Vicious cycle is what it is"

"Does this need to involve the chief?" A frown at that. "Kith business..."

"We will handle the punishment, then go to her.. she might be upset.. trolls tend to personalize a lot of things as THEIR fault.. and it hapepend to Leya and Lola on HER grounds"

The professor sighs

Marsha shakes her head "Trolls. "

"How far does the barony's grasp extend? Outside of Rivervale-the-lodge's walls... or, treeline, or whatever you'd call it." She paces a little, letting off some extra energy. "Not that I'm planning to try to undermine the local authority or anything, but... it's good to know?"

"Technically the entire barony period would be what most traditionlists declare right of demense to be others think it should go no further than the hold's walls and maybe close grounds."

"Does that Caesar guy get a say, since it happened in his building? Or does mortal building or land ownership not give any sway?"

"God, it sounds like I'm planning a coup." A laugh.

"Please don't, dear. I couldn't take the stress... and my sister would chew me out over the phone" Marsha shakes her head.

"No, Momma Vera wouldn't blame you. Viola might, but she's a spit fire." A smile to show she's joking.

"Oh, he could kick them out..but he has left things like that to the super... Mr. Dyer."

"Vera has more fire than you know when she's fighting for you dear" Marsha says

"That's where I get my spice from. " A laugh, her mood lightened thinking of her parents for a moment. Then back over to her uncle. "I mean, more, if something happened that had the Chieftain thundering down on them, would there be any recourse in it having happened in his building? Like, this is my property, I'll deal with it? It's a shame it isn't a hold. Oh, WHAT a hold it would be, with that many goats around..."

"Okay, now you sound like your'e not planning a coup but a seccession," The professor says "I'm sorry, Dear. But despite my flaws I am VERY Dedicated to the Chieftain's legitmate rule. I will try to speak to her on another's behalf. I will take my share of the blame, but we can't dismiss her authoirty"

"Oh, I don't mean to. Just thinking." She nods. "Like I said, this hit me with surprise BECAUSE she does such a good job around here. "

"We can't blame her, how could she predict Brenda losing her shit to this level?" Prof. Wayburton says

"That honor ceremony that she did at Beltaine was pretty cool. Adam seemed pleased with the recognition." She looks a bit proud herself.

"It was nice ,wasn't it?" Marsha smiles "And Zane was so happy"