#earthrunes

*****

Jefferson City, not where Adam expected to go

But, it is where he was called, so..... there he is.

He was dropped off by Vince and Siv, but both withdrew after leaving him at the location he was dropped at.

The location is a a building which seems to have some sort of cafe set up. While closed, the outside has tables under umbrellas and chairs. the small tables look empty

Bearing the warning in mind, Adam squints and tries to kenn the tables. He's practiced a bit with Nab.....

He notices a small matchbook left on top of one. Rare, but not unheard of.. except.. the word 'ADAM' is on it

Wary of a test or a tricky, he approaches. He stays aware of his surroundings as he touches the matchbook. If nothing happens, he picks it up and looks at and within it.

Outside, his name. Within? Instruction 'Take a seat, and call this number, ask for Alfred' 555-0042

Adam reads, shrugs, and does as the matchbook says.

The phone picks up, music can be heard in the background, but he can't make out waht song it is ,and a voice says 'This is the Greasy Pole, yes, we're open. What do you want?'

"Alfred, please."

"Sec"

A fumbling and...

"Alfred here. Good work. You know how to follow instructions and notice things. Magnus will be with you shortly."

And he hangs up

Adam shrugs again, and waits. I mean, how hard is it going to be to spot this guy? He's Sidhe.....

Minutes pass

then "You can notice me now"

The sidhe sitting next to him is reading a newspaper

Adam startles. "What the.....?!?!?!?!"

"Hello, Adam. I'm Magnus. Though among mortals the name is Anthony" He flips the page "I wanted to drop you in a dangerous situation with possible consequences on the streets, but your Chieftain is fond of you and asked me not to place you in danger for the interview. "

A short, fast scowl. "I can handle myself. And she knows it. Uh, Sir." He hesitates between polite Fae manners and the mortal setting. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Well, from what I understand you haven't actually been shot at by many mortals," Magnus says

"I've been in fights. Battles!"

"Mortal and.... you know."

"Yes, yes, heard about the help you gave against stopping the traffickers"

"That's one, yeah. Yes."

A nod "And other adventures as well, but it's the trafficker one that has me considering teaching you. " A tilt of his head. He's gorgeous.. even if one doesn't swing that way, his intelligent eyes glow with a soft majesty. "I thought sister was crazy when she asked me to think it over. Tell me..what is it you're hoping to learn?"

"Uhhhh....." Adam struggles, sitting up straight(er). He thinks. "They say I'm ... that I have a .... that your soul and my soul might be similar. Uh, same House. And.... you know, same... stuff." Trying to keep it safe in the mortal setting. "So I need to know the same stuff, right? If I don't, then.... I could make mistakes. Hurt people? Cause.... you know, problems."

"Yes, a sidhe soul that won't waken. That's what happens when amateurs draw on powers they don't understand. Still, you are noticed by Da'an for certain. "

"I'm sorry! I... Who wouldn't want to be part of.... all this? Yeah, I wanted to be like you but... It wasn't me... I mean... I'm sorry." He seems stricken.

"For?" A brow "You are apologizing, but I'm curious why?"

"You.... I'm an amateur." He says it like it hurts. "I get that, I don't know what I'm doing really but I want to learn! I didn't -mean- to... to... the Djinn... "

"Actually,I was speaking of Chieftain Brekke. She made the wish I understand? Incredibly clumsy of her... " a sigh "I can see why you want to step up from Lodge Learning"

"She's ok!" He defends. "She.... It's just.... I don't ... I feel like I don't fit in there."

"Ah, just 'okay'" A nod

"I mean... look, she's in charge, she was in the Raid, she's been teaching me combat stuff...."

"oh sure, Troll Smash" A nod "They're good at that"

"Shut!" He stops himself short, swallowing it. "That's not what I meant. Sir." Clipped.

"No, it's not, but " Interest "Pardon, but were you about to encourage me to silence if I had nothing nice to say about the Chief?"

"No Sir."

A brow

"Just.... she's ....there's a lot that's nice about her. And even if she wasn't nice, she's good."

"You're right to defend her, and in fact, I wouldn't blame you if you HAD told me to shut my pie hole. The Rivervale lodge is one of the most effective holds I've ever had the pleasure to come across." He says "It has proven constant and surprisingly stable where other noble holds have had upheaveal or change over. It has created fine warriors, and repositiories of lore that are overlooked because folks don't expect it of them. The Shacklebreaker is a legend for a reason. "

Adam looks uncertain.

"You should ask for some stories about her from NOT her. She's annoyingly modest" he says "As is her husband. Let me be honest with you about something- I can't teach you much about melee "

Adam takes this in. "But.... the house isn't all about just that, is it?"

"Certainly not. " he grins "Most would say if you had to narrow it down, the House is about love"