#elsewhere

"Adam?" Zane gets up confused "I thought youu were in Missouri?"

"Yeah, I was. Here. Take this." he offers the coin.

"Dude, I'm not THAT hard up" a look at the quarter

but he doesn't take it. Darn it. He has to take it

"Zane, you gotta take it from me. Just do it, ok? Please?"

"It's a .... it's my lucky quarter and I want you to have it."

"Dude.." A long look "What happened to your hair?"

"I cut it off. Tell you why if you take this." he offers again.

"Take it out of my hand, Zane." he -wills- his friend to do it. "Come on."

"Dude. I got to tell you. I know you can seem lost and confused, but Scientology or whatever this is- not the answer"

"Ok, let's talk about that. How'd you get out here, anyway?"

"how did YOU get out here? You called in Missouri, and suddenly you're in New Jersey ? Dude, I don't claim to have aced Geography, but why are you lying to me?" Hurt look

"Take the coin, and I'll tell you. It's.... a secret, but the most boss thing ever. And you can do it too. Just -TAKE- this." he says with emphasis.

"You're acting really weird" But.. he takes the coin

Adam sighs with relief, and watches.

And the horns sprout and furry legs return "Woah"

And he looks around.

Another relieved sigh. "Thank you....." he says.

"Dude.... what -happened-???"

"Where.. oh yes" He blinks "yeah. I ah, may have emptied myself out " He rubs his eyes "Had to help some dreamers and local mortals. I .. wow. "

"Dumbass." Adam grumps.

"Dude, call your dad."

Adam gets his own phone out and sends another group text to let others know to stand down, Zane is safe.

"Oh geez... " A blink then a hand on Adam "Dude. I... Nabuni. I get it now. I'm sorry"

( Bzzt: Thanks )

Adam puts his phone away slowly. "Yeah. Me too. I hate having to tell you, Dude. We're both going to miss her."

Zane hugs his friend "God life sucks"

"It happened so fast.... I tried to get her to leave, she promised she would and then she didn't... I tried to get her out of the way...." he speaks quickly, explaining. He hugs Zane back, hard.

"She was always stubbornly brave... not that she'd admit it"

"Yeah." Adam shares his cloak's warmth with Zane. "Look, can we get you back to your folks? I need to call Sir Bachdion for a boost back."

"Yeah, my phone charge is dead but dad can..."

"Here, use mine."

He offers the phone.

A car pulls up. professor Wayburton waves

".... or, just get in the car....."

Zane laughs "Man, parents ruin everything"

Adam dials Sir Bachdion. "It's cool, man. You need to recharge, I need to get back. Listen, stuff's coming up but I can let you know dates and shit? Can you come to whatever it is? I think I'm getting Sained or something."

"I'll be there," He offers his hand to Adam "You want to come with us? Get some hot drink in you, catch up?"

Adam shakes his head slowly. "Dude, glad you're feeling stronger.... but I'm not real social right now. Sorry."

"Yeah well, I'm your friend..and I let you down .I got caught up in this crazy wave of poisoners and ravagers and I didn't even knnow until now that you lost Nab.. and turned into a sidhe. Dude, looking good there by the way. Point is, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I should have been"

"Nah, man. Some stuff's more important, I get that. We lost Nab.... like, just a couple weeks ago. -I- didn't call -you-, right? And I know you loved her too." His eyes well up, he swallows. "So.... we're cool."

"Sir? Can you bring me home?" to his phone.

"Weeks ago?" Confusion but he lets it slide for now "And yeah, I did. What's not to love she was.. she started out Sexy, but she became so much more. Now we'll never know what she might have finally become. Its' .. so unjust, she was denied who she was becoming. WE were denied it too"

Adam nods, the tears escaping. "Yeah." his voice rough "I know. She deserved so much more."

Bachdion response "Be there in a bit lad. Getting some dross to speed it up for us. "

"Well, I'm not going to be a stranger. " Zane says "I think I'll go back to Earth Runes with you. For imbolc. Let me talk to my dad"

"If you're sure." to both satyrs, and he waits, pulling his cloak around him for warmth that doesn't come.

And Bachdion shows up talks abit to both Zane and his dad, then says "Three to go then"

"Yes, sir, thanks"

"If you will, Sir." Quietly. It seems he was stirred to action, to help his friend, and now that's done....