#bergen_county

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As apartments go, this is nice!

The redheaded woman and the younger teen with dyed black hair are outside the door

"He's just building an empire, isn't he?"

The sound of guitar music filters from somewhere within...

"Without realizing it I think..." A frown "Sometimes I worry about the guy... hey.. that could be Etsie, could be Piper" She enters a code.. and they go on in

The best part about summer? Sundresses. Nobody bats an eye at exposed shoulders in the summer.

"So this is where all the bacchai wound up?"

"Not all, the Wayburtons still have their place, but let's see... Etsie, Leya and her sister Lola, Lyron, and now Piper. There's also the super, Mr. Dyer, he's a pooka kinian... " As the talks and they enter Sparrow may fall in love, not with the building's arched 'doors' now and then, but rather the large sections of walls that are unadorned and a bit naked and essentially canvas like to her.

"And he has two kids, Rikki, and Tikki.. yeah I know.. both pooka. I think the handy man's name is Edgar boggan.. oh, and the school nurse is around here..she's Satyr kinian"

"Oh, yes, this place is a bit generic... it could use some color, especially with the community."

"Well, they put up plants.. and it has a kind of Roman greeco feel in the design, but yes, this ..space is why I thought of you. I mean, you're the best at murals and wall art that I know. " An admission "Though I know like.. 4 artists tops"

She laughs. "I'll take it."

And they close on one room where music is playing

And now the sound picks up - electric guitar - is that Scarborough Fair, but with a rock flair?

Her wings mantle up, like a dog perking its ears.

"Okay, Etsie is normally the one who plays that... but the sound... pardon me, Sparrow. I got to see " They come up to the door of Etsie's room which..might just have a guest

Indeed, the sound of another voice overheard inside!

A knock between the notes

And the wail of the guitar pauses!

And Etsie's like "Well, sure you can't appreciate folk music until you've head it in it's original head banger..... oh sec"

"Come in, door's unlocked!" An older woman's voice says

Sparrow hangs back a bit, letting Gerd take the lead.

Gerd goes in "Hey, Etsie! It's me, Gerd. I wanted to introduce you to Sparrow. She'll be painting a bit here later.. Sparrow this is Etsie and..Piper!" A grin

"Hey." A little wave.

"Well, hello there.." Etsie looks over "OKay, with wings yet. That maybe the most metal thing I've seen in awhile" the old grand dame grins "Painting? Walls seem to have a fresh coat to me"

"Of beige."

Piper is twiddling the knobs on (one of?) Etsie's electric guitars. "I've had this in mind ever since I heard it at Fenix, the classic is great but I wanted to see how it..." Looking up, and a hard swallow. First is that look that Sparrow knows well - awe, admiration, taken aback by how stunning she looks. And then the wary look, as vague discomfort of being around an oathbreaker filters through.

"Oh! you're bringing color?" Etsie says

"Yeah, Sparrow's not a painter, she's an ARTIST. I should have spoken up" Gerd says with a grin

The second look she knows just as well. A little foot scuff, and her feathers slick down a bit. "I do murals, mostly."

"This many satyrs, maybe I should do something Greek..."

"Hey, you make at least one spot look like a heavy metal cover and I'll be your friend for life" The old woman grins "Which, admitedly, at my age might be a bad investment for you"

That gets a laugh.

Piper realizes that she has been staring at the guitar pegs, and belatedly stands to offer a hand to the newcomer. "I'm Piper McCormick, though I think maybe I should change it to McCormick-Wayburton so that folk here know my ties. You're an artist?" She is uncomfortable, but making an effort!

Etsie shoots the younger satyress an approving look at that

"I am. Call me Sparrow... ah.. I'm Liam, so that's why the.. y'know."

"Ah... where are you visiting from? Sorry if our tunes interrupted you talking shop."

"It's why the wings. All Liam have them, it's just Sir Franklyn's are vvvvvverry tiny" Gerd interjects

"Earth Runes - you may have met my former squire? Colton is dating Sylvi..."

And she relaxes a bit, and perks up. " Do you know Siv?"

"Siv is hard to miss. Yeah, Coradel's finest student. She's fun."

Now Piper smiles a little. "Siv's great. She's been so busy lately - tell Lady Coradel to give her a break now and then, okay? Don't burn her out."

"Well, I know something about trying to prove yourself to a house. Siv won't give Siv a break."

"Sir Franklyn, he helped me. I was fostered Fiona. Turning up azure and argent instead was a bit unexpected."

"Oh she's more like her mom and dad than she knows " Gerd says regarding siv with an eye roll "If only I were like me mum and da so I could understand them, but I'm not.. now I shall work me self to death la de dah"

Snerk!

A grin. "You said murals? Ever airbrush the side of a van?"

"Once! It was this Star-Wars thing!"

"Earth Runes? Earth Runes..." A blink "There a young Fiona buck named Bachdion there?"