#earthrunes

"Oh the place is wonderful. Mom is... mom feels guilty about it, and wants to find a new place as soon as possible, me I wish she'd ask for at least till Christmas if your Uncle really isn't using it. I guess that makes me terrible... but it's just such a load off to have a roof over your head and NOT be beholding to a jerk about it. It's a nice area too. I even.. " Embarrassed "After our talk last night, I even started to write a bit again. It's.. that big a load off."

Adam's eyes light. "That's awesome, Minerva. And you know, he really doesn't use it much. I bet you could stay. I get wanted to get your feet under you again but..... sometimes you get a gift, right?"

"So you'll work on your uncle to work on my mom to accept this gift long enough to get our feet under us?" She asks

Adam blinks, several responses coming to mind.

"Uh. Tell you the truth, I think Uncle D would do that all on his own."

"yeah, he's laying on some good charm" she admits "But.. mostly, can I say 'Wow'. you are.. the nicest guy I've ever... " She says "Adam, people like you, I didn't think they exisited. You're helping us just to help us. you're not ... expecting anhything, demanding anything. You just want to help . I ..thought those folks ONLY existed in fiction" She admits

"Hey, I'm far from perfect." then a small laugh "You've only known me a couple of days; there are TONS of people who'd tell you I'm an asshole."

"Yeah?" She smiles at that "Is it weird that's kind of a relief? So what are you down sides? What's your jerk side?"

"Have to ask a ton of different people." He smirks. "I think I'm perfect."

"Ah, now I see it" She laughs softly under her mask.

Adam chuckles.

John returns with their order. Marge in back was riding his ass extra hard today. It's not his fault her kids hate her, but she's got to take it out on someone, so he endures it and remains professional. Besides, if he complains to anyone they'll probably try to tell him how someone else has it so much worse. Sure, some guy in some foreign country is shoe less, starving and has leprosy. How does this make it okay for Marge to be a bitch to everyone? Is her being a bitch going to make her kids love her more? Will it give the 'guy who has it worse' a new pair of sneakers and a happy meal? John suspects not.

"Here we go" he repeats the order to make sure it's just what they want as he sets it out

"Thanks." Adam says. He glances over surreptitiously. What is it about this guy?

"Yes, thank you" Minerva says and inhales ""Oh this smells wonderful"

"Enjoy and have a great day" John smiles. It's nice to be appreciated. He turns and goes back to work once more becoming a minor individual in a world full of stories that will never star him. Yeah well, you try telling those stories without food or drink. Without guys like him, , the 'important' people would have a lot fewer reasons to interact.. nevermind the whole 'starve and die of thirst' bit.

"Go ahead." Adam says, with the (visible) expression of one who enjoys seeing others enjoy. "Have some."

She blushes ,and scootches JUST a bit back, and lifts her mask "Not like you haven't seen me without it recently" And tries a sip of the coffee, "mmm!" then a bit of the scone, and her eyes roll in pleasure "oh my god you were right . .these blend great"

Adam scootches back a bit,and lowers his mask, taking a bite and sip. "Yep! My men.... my Uncle taught me everything I know."

"Your uncle is scary sexy, you know that right?" And she dines

"Runs in the family." his eyes tease.

Snerk

"So you think we can play in our masks?"

"Yes yes... I dont' see why not." She says "I Mean, most folks who talk about how they can't breathe in them are ..playing it up a bit I think? But you do know I'm a fan, not that great at doing?" Reminder

"I'll be gentle. Maybe just Horse."

"Horse wow.. Haven't played that since I was a kid" She looks guilty, then chances it and dips the edge of a scone into the coffee, just a bit, then bites "Oh my goodness"

"Okay. I know you only want me for my basketball skills" She jokes ,"But I am so finishing this first"

"Tell me about your writing?" An invitation.

"oh, Not sure you'be interested... " But she lights up at the prospect

"I -am- sure."

That's when Adam's stomach begins to tingle

"Well, I've done more than one... a lot of times about lonely village girls who the rest of the village mistrusts and so on.." She begins to explain

He blinks, and looks around.

Then back at Minerva.

"Why.mistrust her?"

And he feels something..bend and break through

"Oh, the usual, she's different, she's quiet. She's a mystery... " Minerva says

And something shining with a silver light approaches.

Adam frowns
No sword, no stick.....use the chair maybe? People are watching.....

And the silverlight seems like mist and moonlight mixed.. in the shape of a woman...

Adam is not unaware of the dangers women can present.

"But I always try to have an excuse to have it make sense..."

And then the moonlight woman lays a hand on Minerva's back and.. Minerva enchants, "Wait, what is in this coffee?"

She turns and gasps

"You will do" the voice declares but no unenchanted can hear it "I will take this form... out of it, mortal"

Minerva gasps "Adam... I think I'm .. I'm freaking out.." She says "i'm seeing a.."

"What!?!?" Adam looks aghast. "No!"

And the fae spirit plunges her beautiful hand into Minerva's chest and theres a beating sound... picking up pace "Shhhh... it is your turn to walk the dreaming. My need is great. Be honored"

The beating of Minerva's heart is like a loud drum, one being played with greater tempo "Stop... I don't want to..."

"Stop!" Adam stands and reach to grab the glowing form.