#bergen_county

Brow. "Your methods were poorly chosen. Your ability is strong."

"Have you not mused since leaving Ardent Harbor?"

She can't help it, she flinches a little at the name. "I've tried, a little. A few girls at school, this older man who was camping out at an abandoned building... but he was high, and used to be a music teacher. So it was a bit... easier, to work with him." A pause and she quickly adds, "I didn't GET him high so that he'd be easier to muse! I mean, I did give him the weed, but he was fiending hard for something harder so I figured it was better...." She trails off before getting herself in deeper.

Brekke doesn't seem particularly upset (or surprised) that a satyr has weed.

"And Jiminee didn't say anything.... not that it ever SAYS anything...but it didn't... I don't know, set off an alarm or call down the cops on me or anything..." Shooting a look at the butterfly fluttering at the edge of her field of vision.

"Ahhh...is that what it is for?"

"I am TRYING, Mrs... Chieftain. I really am." She says quietly.

"It's... like a parole officer, I think. He... the Count... didn't really say. Or if he did, I was still... addled, fresh out of ... out of there. It watches me."

The wings of the butterfly are mirrored, and reflect back... she tries not to look at it.

The mirror winged Chimera moth gives lazy circles now and then around the satyress

Oddly easy to overlook, but .. also omnipresent

"Piper..." Brekke's brows furrow, puzzled. "Why do you think I need to be convinced of this?"

"I just.. I can't go back." Her arms wrap around her, and she can't meet the trolless's gaze. "I worry that I'm not... what if I mess up? Or what if I teach Adam the wrong things, and he messes up? And, I can't even go on this quest!" She blurts out the last in sudden frustration, upset.

"I can't go on vacation, or travel - because I'm a screw-up - no, I'm a felon and if I get too far away and THEN mess up then he can't claw me back to his prison!"

"Mm." Brekke considers this seriously for a few quiet moments.

Eventually, she shifts her shoulders in a way that suggests it has been a LONG day. "Piper...I will consider what you have said. Perhaps there is another way in which you might help. But tonight...please deliver my message to Adam."

Her own shoulders slump. "Of course. I'll take the message."

"Piper..." Brekke rests a large blue hand on her shoulder. "I have faith that you will do good things." Simply that.

That makes one of us. She thinks, but swallows it back, knowing that it's not likely to be what the chieftain is looking to hear. A nod is just safer. and perhaps she can venture a... "Thanks, Chief."

The Chieftain nods and releases her. "Do you wish escort to the Thomases' home?" Ready to turn and walk her there.

"I think I'm okay." She nods, taking another breath and centering herself. "And I'll be sure he gets the message. Uh, and.. thank you, for talking to Dirk for him. That probably saved him some trouble. And maybe fingers."

"Mm. Well...he is safe for twenty-four hours. If he and Dirk continue to fight after that...I cannot make any guarantees. Adam must be careful. As must Dirk."

"Be well, Piper." And with that Brekke turns and continues on her way.

She watches the chief go for a moment, then continues on her way, heading to the Thomas home.

And off she goes

****************

Upstairs, Adam and Nab are.... talking.

She stands on the lawn for a bit, regaining her composure. And eventually - texts Adam again. A little longer than he may have expected since she said she was on her way.
Hey, I'm out front. should i come up?

"She's here, I'm going to let her in. Be right back." And he heads down to do just that.

Nabuni sighs then once he's out of ear shot "yeah, just about everyone"

Adam flings the door open with a smile.

She is waiting on the front porch when he answers the door - is he still wearing the new garb?

(Yes.)

She gives him a smile back, pausing to take in the new outfit again, now that she has more than a moment to view it in the height of everything. "Wow. That's really... you're really... it's really happening, isn't it?" Looking up at him.

His face falls a little, sadly. "No. It's really -not- happening." A sigh. "Yet."

"Come on it, it's good to see you. Sorry about just leaving like that but the Chief kinda insisted."

He opens his arms for a hug.

She moves in, carefully wrapping her arms around him, the fiona silks unfamiliar under her hands. And... "Is that a sword?"

He grins. "Yes. -And- I'm happy to see you!"

"Hey, you want to come inside? Upstairs?"

She is running her hand lightly over the hilt of the sword, slightly distracted (minds out of the gutters, people!). "Sure, or we could take a walk... what would you like to do?"

"Honestly?"

"Well, I'm no gwydion, but I'm listening?"

A flash of a smile at that. "It's been a hell of a day. I like action as much as the next guy...." (Maybe more....) "..... but right now, just chillin' sounds good." Slightly apologetic. "And if you come up, I'm ok with keeping my hands to myself. Nothing promised, nothing owed, ok?"

She smiles up at him, and gives him a little squeeze. "Lets go up, then."

WHen they enter in, they see Brenda at the end of the hall "Drinks for you guys to take up stairs?"

"Thanks, mom. You want anything, Piper?"

"Oh, hi Mrs. T. No, I'm good, thank you. Do you mind if I stay over for a bit?"

Politely, her hand seeking out Adam's for a squeeze.

"Not at all... " She says "You've been very supportive of everyone in this family and we're grateful"

Adam squeezes her hand back, slipping an arm around her waist.

"If we need anything I'll run down and grab it, mom. Thanks."