#earthrunes

"Smart man" She says approvingly "Like your father"

"Dad's smart but I don't think he approves of me much." he dims a little and shrugs.

"oh.." A pause "I.." She focuses "Why would you say that?" She seems flustered for a second but recovers

"Back in Jersey, he chewed me out for dating one girl and, you know, breathing and having a heart beat around other girls." another shrug, the wine making him a little more open. "Hasn't brought it up since I moved here, though."

"Oh I suspect he didn't realizee how he came across, sometimes we older folk are prone to assume young folks know what page we're on and build from there, but I have talked to your dad and the man is actually proud of you. Worried about you, but he approves of how brave and hard working you've been. I'm sorry he hasn't said so more" She look at him thoughtful "He's your adopted dad, but he has always been there for you"

Adam nods. "He's had a lot to deal with, I know."

"Did your mother ever tell you much about the Fiona who she was with?"

"Huh? No. Never asked." Adam leans back, letting the alcohol relax him. "Doesn't matter, right? Dad's my dad."

"Yes," She says "Yes he is." A slower sip

"Mom didn't date much I guess, 'cause she was taking care of me."

"Dad kinda came in and swept her off her feet. Even I could see a difference, and I was just a little kid."

She smiles "I owe Kyle I think." Then she says "One other nice thing about wine, a bottle of it makes a very classy gift"

"Yeah, but I can't buy it." a sigh.

"If only you lived at hold where the Steward would set you up if you explained" A smile

A slow smile. "Oh. Yeah." A moment of pondering.

"Next time I have someone to give a gift to." he nods.

"Sounds good. I hear you and Alanza are hitting it off well?"

"Yeah..." he perks up "She's got a great sense of humor and she loves adventure and she's got a -hot- body...."

A chuckle "She's a fit young lady"

"Hey, you think Stevi would like wine?"

"Stevi can enjoy wine, but I think whiskey is more her thing"

A pause "Actually, I did see her enjoying a nice red once"

"Good to know! Red. Got it."

"Now, we're both a bit tipsy, so for now we lounge and let things be merry... but.. a test, do you remember the honorifics you knew when you were sober? What you called folks of different titles? Getting tispy won't excuse you from boorish manners in some courts so you have to keep focus under the grape to a certain degree"

"Yeah! Lord or Lady, Excellency, Grace, Highness, Majesty." He lists off.

"Very good, Adam. House Fiona enjoys excess, but we also know it can be a cruel master"

"Part of it all is taking responsibility." He nods. "I remember."

"I know you do, like I said-smart" She glows with pride.. well, wine too ,she also glows with wine, but pride too!

"You guys are all great. You, especially, but Sir Bachdion and Sir Magnus, too."

"Well, we're fond of you too" She covers her mouth "Oh dear. About time for my nap "

"May I walk you?" he offers to escort.

"We both should take it slow, but yes" She chuckles and rises to allow him to help her

He takes her hand, and then offers his arm.

"Thank you, Grand Dame, for everything." sincerely as they walk.

ANd she takes his arm, and up , as they walk "You're welcome, Adam, but we're supposed to help new sidhe like yourself. "

then she whispers "But don't tell anyone, you're my favorite student"

He kisses her cheek. "Don't tell the Sirs, but you're my favorite mentor."

She blushes "Well, that just shows you have good taste" A wink and a pat on his hand as they move

"You know... I don't like it when people say I'm Fae, 'cause I'm not. Maybe never. But it doesn't bother me as much when you said it."

"Oh, I'm sorry dear... I didn't realize. I guess it's because you've got the fae spirit just slumbering ready to merge fully with your own but I'll try to use another term. I would adore you just as much if you didn't have it" She assures him and maybe it's the wine talking but he believes her

"Awwww....." he grins, touched.

The grin fades. "I wish there was something I could -do,- to make it wake up.

"I think Da'an has it's way Adam, don't beat yourself up. This shouldn't even be possbile, so it's no surprise it's not easy. "

"Yeah, but ... I want to -do- something. Not beating myself up really just.... it's frustrating."

"Mmph." They arrive at her door and he kisses her hand. "Thanks again, Grand Dame."

"You're welcome, Adam. And I hope your frustration ends soon an safely" She goes on in

"Well, soon, anyway...." Adam sighs and goes to see if he can find someone to kill some time with.

And hey, he checks his new phone!

A text

He reads it!