#bergen_county

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Jonas is in the shower

Piper slips in, hearing the water going, she takes advantage of that time to grab an overnight back and toss some clothes in it. Seeing a large, freshly worn shirt that Jonas just abandoned, this is slid into her bag too.

And that's when Jonas comes out with a towel, a bit dripping

"Piper?"

"Hey babe..."

"Salutations" He puts arms around her waist to nuzzle, then he sees the overnight back pack "What's this?"

She leans into him, wrapping her arms around, not caring that he's damp. "I'm going away for a couple days. Change of scenery."

He holds her, "Would this have anything to do with Siv's new squire?"

Half mumbled into his towel. "We had a fight."

"It behooves me to inform you, couples, and trios, have fights. " He points out with a squeeze "That said, do you want me to come with you?"

That startles her. "You would?"

"Siv has her duty with a new squire, getting a routine down, learning what the girl already knows, what she doesn't know, and where she can help her. Duty and work can be a balm to trolls after a romantic fight. I suspect it's different for satyrs. Or.. not to put too fine a point on it, I suspect you need me more than Siv does if either of you needs me at all. I'm new to this whole three is a magic number situation, but I love you both and that's the way I see it. Help the one that , currently, needs it most. "

"Of course we need you. I mean, I don't know what I need. I just... I'm hurt, and confused, and my head is TOO FULL, and I need to get away." She hugs the bag to her chest for a moment, then shakes her head, short curls bouncing. "I don't know where to go."

"Where would you like us to go?" He asks "Goldfinch is too close to be an escape I take it?"

She shakes her head, slower this time. "I think you should stay here. If I run off and take you with me, it feels like I'm trying to make you choose sides." She holds up a hand before he can comment, "And even if it's NOT, I can't help thinking it... It means more than you know to offer, but I need to clear my head. I think I'll talk to Gerd... she might have somewhere she can recommend."

"Gerd can take you lots of places. " A tilt of his head "I wish you did't feel so you shouldnn't take me, but it would be selfish to insist. I know you made a good impression in Fenix. The DeBuke farm is an ally and not very sidhe heavy, obviously." He ponders "Dark Gate is improved but sill a bit grim. The theatre group there seems nice. But Gerd may have other ideas yet"

She gives him a squeeze. "I'll figure it out. And I'll be in touch. I'm not... leaving or anything."

"GOOD."A squeeze back, gentle "Now.. wait here one moment. No tricks I promise. Just somethinng you'll need wherever you go"

She nods...

And he vanishes to Siv's room, then comes back and gives her one of Siv's Shirts, a Pittsburgh Pirates shirt "Since you took my shirt, I thought maybe you'd want onne of hers too"

"Arr." She says, at the Pirates logo, and gives the shirt a hug before packing it away. "I'll touch base tonight, okay?"

"Thank you" He says. And.. he's texting?

She pops into the bathroom, grabs a few toiletries.

With a zip, her overnight bag is ready. Picking up her guitar case, she takes a breath - no, don't overthink it. "Well, I'm off, I guess?"

"Gerd's onher way" He says

A small frown... "I was thinking I'd... okay." She fidgets a little. "I'll go talk to her out front.

"Sorry I meant it as a ...well, she was possibly at the lodge and so is that squire so I tthoughtt.. "A sigh "no. I did not think. I presumed. I must stop doing that."

He gives her a hug

Then lets her go

"I'll see you soon." She heads down the stairs.

She finds Gerd staring at her phone, then she looks over "Ah, hey? I'm supposed to take you somewhere if you pick a place?"

Piper was actually looking at her own phone and she blushes a bit. "I'm sorry, I was just about to text you myself that I didn't need a ride. I was thinking I might just go to Firnost and see where that took me." She looks a bit frazzled - hair mussed, cheeks a bit blotchy. Piper isn't one of those girls who can cry cute or elegantly.

"Hey, you look like you've beenn upset..." A worried look from the goth girl "Rough day?"

A pbpbbppbbpt sound. "Not really in the mood to talk about it. I'm sure that Ramona will have the story around before sundown, anyways. And the longer I delay the more I worry I'm not going to leave, and then we'll just keep fighting."

"Well leave right now... but.. can I make a suggestion?"

"What?"

"Firnost isn't just dangerous, it's a bit boring. I know better holds to try. One you've been in"

"How can it be both dangerous and boring?" She rubs at her nose.

"Somehow it manages" She opines, "Do you remember a little place called Sweet Sorrows? Uncle Vali said he took you there once"

Her expression falls. "Geez, I don't need to be depressed right now. I was down enough as it was."

"Huh.. how about you tell me what you want in a hold , for visiting purposes, and I'll tell you if I know one? Please. My boyfriend is out for the week, the Hearth doesn't nneed me right now, and if a nighttmare monster appeared Dagmar would either crush it or domesticate it. I am.. in a word, bored"

She winces a bit. "I don't mean to sound rude, but I wasn't looking for company." She fiddles a bit with her bag strap. "Just - away. Thinking about it makes be realize I didn't have a plan and now I'm gettin anxiety over being upset. I just want to forget everything for a few days and clear my head."

"Damn. " She says "No, it's cool. You need space. I can respect that." Gerd circles her, circles, then says "Ack, a demon! I banish thee to happyland"

and glamour engulfs the satyress

and she's gone!

Gerd smiles "Bet she loves it"