#earthrunes

"NICE SON" Brenda pats her son's back proudly as he gets back from the Pennons. It was bonkers... but cool. And he has a few phone numbers as well as a sash.

"Thanks!" He shines the way he used to after a winning game.

"Are you going to wear the sash a lot or hang it up as a trophy?"

"Oh, just in my room." Modestly.

"Well, I'd love to buy you lunch or something to celebrate" She says

"It's an offer" she nods

"Thanks!" But he doesn't seem urgent about it.

"Let me guess, you want to race off and talk to one of the girls about the victory?" A smile

And she seems cool about it

"Nah. Figure they'll hear on their own." Has cool and knows how to handle fame.

"I'm pretty sure Nab at least was the one hollering cheers in the back, but yeah, don't want to seem too needy." A nod "Wish your dad could be here, but he's with Lily at Rivervale. Apparently the kids had an event for a scavenger hunt." She looks, thoughtful

"Nah, I understand. I mean, it's her holiday too. And Caer Falcon's Pennon's was pretty awesome."

"Now a bad time for some grown up talk?" She asks

"Uhhhhhh...." with undertones of 'Is there ever a good time?'

"Good point, come on, let's go to my room" She has a room here?

And she leads him to a back room .

He follows, not without reluctance.

The room is a bit sparse, clearly it's not where his mom has been long, but there are chairs of both satyr and troll size, "Have a seat. Want a drink?" She has a mini fridge

"No thanks. What's up?"

He is a bit on edge.

"Well, it's about our family. Things seem to be looking up for you, and I'm glad." She nods" We've tried not to be in the way, but we wanted to be close. However, Lily really prefers it over at Rivervale. " A lead in

"Yeah, of course."

"Connor is her best friend" She says, then looks at the 4th wall as if to say 'there geez already' then glances back to her son, "And I think a good influence on her. Sweet boy. And she does like Lydia too. That said, I'm doing pretty well here. I don't feel as.. judged for past screw ups. I'm learning some arts and more poetry, Sir Bachdion had a wonderful poetry collection and introduced me to some other poets. Famous ones."

"You... want to stay here."

"Your father and I are ... considering a trial separation" She says

Adam is quickly devastated. He leans against the wall, head bowed.

"Now I want you to understand, your father is a good man. A great man. I love him, and a part of me always will, but I am also deeply worried about.. how we're becoming very different than we were from the couple that married. Contrary to what some folks seem to think of satyrs, I have not be whooping it up with everyone on two legs-" A frown "I prefer to focus on my poetry and such. And your father is NOT inattentive. Far from it, but we're not sure we really know each other anymore and it's taking an effort to...adapt. He feels like he's stiffling me. I worry I'll eventually embarrass him. It's.. complicated but the point is, I maybe in this area more while your dad stays mostly at Rivervale. We'll both still go back and forth now and then"

Adam looks up, hurt in his eyes. "But you LOVE each other!!"

"Oh Adam" she says "We do, but we have to figure out WHO we love now, the people we were before, or the people we are, or the ones we're becoming. Sometimes Love is ...very hard"

"Was it Bachdion?" With growing rage "Did he do this?"

"DO this? " She blinks "Adam, Sir Bachdion has been supportive to us both"

"Then... look, I -know- love is hard, but.... you LOVE each other!"

"Yes, but sometimes, Love isn't enough for a marriage."

"Then what IS??"

Frustrated, tears rising.

"Respect, for each other and yourself, and an awareness of who you are and who they are and their needs and wants. I respect your father, and he respects me. But... we're both learning who we are again, and what we both want ..." She sees the tears "Oh Adam, I'm sorry. "

"How's you supposed to do that if you aren't together?? You'll grow apart ?!?!"

"We're already growing apart even when together" she says "Adam, this isn't going to affect that we're your parents. He's your dad, the man who raised you and loves you and tries to protect and provide for you. And I'm your mom, I love you, and care for you. But a trial period.. we want to see how it goes. ARE we already apart and this will show us that? or will we miss each other as much as we hope we do? And we get to learn about who we are now.. I know it sounds callous but it's a sign OF concern for each other that we're doing this."

His face starts to set into familiar, stubborn lines.

"Adam, you would have been angry and hurt if I hadn't told you. "

"Already there." And yes, there is heat in his voice.

"I know, but I'm just pointing out that I'm trying to be honest with you."

"Thanks for that, I guess." He pushes away from the wall and marches for the door.

"If you want to talk about it more later," She sounds resigned to him leaving "find me. I'll let your father know that you know..and you can talk to him too. I'm sorry if this.. hurt you"

He leaves without another word. Without much thought and in a red haze he heads toward the combat practice area.

He finds.. Lady Jennette, the Beaumayn knight sidhe. He's not talked to her much. She's a quiet sort. She's currently practicing against a target but there are others

He rips off the sash and anything else in the way and grabs a practice weapon to hack at a dummy.

He fights angry...and it shows. HIs form is off a bit, his pace just eratic.

"Pardon?" The woman's french accent kicks in "Excuse moi, but you appear quite upset? "

That's ok for now. Mostly he wants to hit things.