#elsewhere

Vali 's house is not near the lodge but closer to the school. And a short drive regardless

Brekke pulls up outside in her aged but reliable Jeep. She parks and heads to the door, knocking quietly enough to be heard by the wakeful but not to disturb any who sleep.

Tiffany opens the door "Oh come on..." A groan

"My apologies, Thane." Brekke does look truly regretful. "Has he slept?"

"I haven't kissed him to wake him from the spindle curse.... you want java as a delaying tactice?"

"That is a kind offer." But she hesitates on the step. "How much more sleep do you believe he needs?"

Another voice "I'll get them later, the sleep I mean.." Vali can be heard

"Mountain," Brekke says in response to the voice indoors. Another apologetic look to Tiffany.

Tiffany moves aside and lets the Chief pass

She enters and seeks out the direction that the voice came from.

PJ bottoms and a T shirt, Vali looks better, but still bleary

"My apologies, Mountain."

"It needs to be done, I'm sure. Have a seat Chief. Tell me what I've missed, please"

She takes the offered seat and...tells him. Everything that she and Frank have learned about Bunni, and everything they've pieced together about the treasures that seem to be coming from Adam. "It seems he sent her here to protect her from something. I do not know if he is also trying to protect the treasures, or if they are a message. Either way...I must tell the Thomases."

He listens then nods "Makes sense. The clock could be the way to the bad guy if not Adam himself. If Adam is still Adam. The Thomases ... they didn't come about their kith nature naturally... there's a chance the Dreaming is trying to balance them all out and it doesn't care how"

Brekke frowns and looks down at the floor, her fingers woven together. A nod. "I believe that could be the case." A sigh. "Frank suggested I have you come with me to speak with them."

"Given the thomases don't like any of us, this should be a treat. ' he ponders "Well, there's ONE that likes us"

A brow. "Lily?"

"Lily. IF we can find her. But then, we may not find any of the others either. They could be at their House closer to Earth Runes"

"Perhaps Symon could find her?"

" I can also try to tattle tale them. Truth Chief, I'm not sure we should tell them YET. I know ethically we should, but they're going to get involved. What are you going to do when Brenda tells you to leave this to her? or Kyle informs you it is a family matter?"

Coffee is served to both

"Thank you, Thane," Brekke says to Tiffany. She takes a sip, and then says, "If we find Lily, she can have the information and keep it in confidence. If they later accuse us of keeping this from them, she might go far in keeping the peace."

"Good compromise" Vali agrees. "I can tattle tale her, or send Symon like you suggest . Or both. He is ..." A pause "Symon is already involved."

A frown. "He is?"

"Yes. I involved him. Frankly, it was a gamble in more ways than one. Symon hears everything eventually, by processing it through me I controlled the flow"

She nods slowly. A pause. "The Thomases will be angered. They will ask me how I would feel if information about Jessica or Siv had been withheld from me. And they will not care that it was for the good of all involved."

She sighs. "As it ever was." She finishes the coffee.

"Chief, this stuff isn't in any guidebook. we're all stumbling through, and neither of us can make others make the right choices. We'd fight those who tried that "

"True. I simply do not look forward to that particular battle."

"Do you know how to find Symon?"

"Hm...the wilders will be off to college very soon. Has he left already?"

"I could tattle tale him.I know him well enough." He says

A nod. "He is still a Pillar of the Mountain. Call on that if needed."

She thinks, "I should speak with him myself. And with Lily if possible. It is not right that my words are carried second- and third-hand."

Tiffany says "Chief, later I'll teach you how to be tall. "

"Honey, be nice, please . The Chief is just mentioning the position in an attempt to help" Vali says to his wife

A blink at Tiffany, and then a look at Vali. "I am telling you your business. My apologies."

Another look to Tiffany, and she clears her throat as she stands. "I should go and leave you to it."

"No no, stay, this will fail or succeed fast" Vali says "And I'll need to tell you where he is if I do find him." Vali takes the coffee "Oh magic bean that grew the stalks of legend... oh fumes that fed the oracle of Delphi... show me where the Symon Lee be"

A hint of a bemused expression at the bunk, but it passes quickly.

And an image begins to form...

And she can see it too. Vali extending his sight

He is in a dark place. Dark for Dark business. Soft sound of rustling, items being moved. A tink of glass. Soft slosh of liquid. But it's dark. Seems like the sluagh who can see in pitch hasn't bothered to turn on the light.

"I cannot see much," she says quietly.

He backs the view up a bit, spreading 'I may have to just text him . Mmmf, back in my day every other sluagh couldn't see in the dark"

"No? Hm." She pauses. "I think Finnouala could, but I do not remember well."

Tiffany has taken her phone out TEXT: _Symon. Chief looking for U. News on Lily. Talk to her if you want to find out

Brekke is still staring at the vision intently.

Still murky