#elsewhere

"I can take help, the Baron said."

"If it is early, it is a blessing. The longer they have her, the more the dreaming may see her as a member of their clan, and less of my family. She will have been a Redfin longer than a Smith. It is not just accepting a skin... if they mark her, if they name her?"

"You had a name picked, didn't you?"

"We had not decided. We were going to meet her, first..."

"Oh..."

Frankie, she knows, was named after her great Grandpa. Grandma is a rather rude lady though, not in a fun way like Diane's mom, but in a harpish way. It's no surprise they weren't interested in 'Patrice" after that harridan.

"When you meet her, if you can, give her a name. One from our family, from our heart."

She nods.

Gwens' jaw drops open. This is a great honor in alost any culture

To Gwen, she says, "Look well." And... oh my, raises the edge of her dressing gown, and lowers the edge of her pajama pants. It's a spot on her hip that would normally be bared by a bathing suit, but most clothing covers. There, she has a small tattoo, hard to make out, faded and red on her dark skin, but it is a curled wave, or perhaps, a Seal's tailfin. "All Redfin are marked. Some choose branding to show their fearlessness of fire, or a scar. You can recognize us, if you look. It is not always in the same spot, but all will be marked."

Gwen nods, memorizing this

"A mark. Okay. Is... is that chosen, too? They won't force it on the baby?"

"They may, but in ink." She says, certain. Then, a touch of something in her eyes, fear, but she shakes her head. "Only ink."

"Will they do a magical binding you think? "

"I do not remember how old I was when I got my mark. It is not that it is a choice, but it is an honor to be marked part of the bloodline and clan. I... I don't think it was before I was a childling's age."

A fearful look to Gwen. "I do not know what they may do. Had you asked me a month ago, I would not have said they would steal my babe!"

"I'm sorry. that was insenitve of me to ask"

Scowls. "They've already shown they wanna fuck around."

"now they'll find out" A nod to Thistle

"Exactly." Her dark eyes flicker, like the reflection of flames on black glass.

"Mooooooooooooooooom, I want fruity pebbles!"

Comes a yell from down the hall. A surprised look, and glance to Thistle. "You've been giving him sugar cereal?" For a moment, aghast, and just like the annoying old Janice.

"I kept him fed, and Fruity Pebbles are great!"

The nevers set up a cheer! Fruity Pebbles! CHIME CHIME!

"Yeah.. uhm mom sent you some whole wheat flakes by the way, should be a good decompress"

She almost says detox

Janice shakes her head, but reaches out and takes each of their hand, one in each of hers. "Thank you, both."

Gwen says "You're welcome"

and gives a very gentle squeeze

"I'm gonna do this. I fix things."

A pause, and she squeezes Gwen's hand back. There is a faint crackle and s bit of gravely dust. Janice takes a closer look at Gladiola. Worried. "Can you swim?" To the troll with skin of stone.

"Like I was wearing chain mail but yes"

A concerned look. "Be safe - both of you. I will give you what knowledge I have, but the trods and pathways I know, are underwater, or on the sea. They are not safe for you to take, I fear. You may need to find your own way. But we will talk more, once you are sained."

"Don't worry, we got a guy who is pretty smart about things. "

"It will be soon. The Baron promised that."

"What's stained?" Asks a sleepy eyed Frankie.

"Your knees from playing in the grass. Now, you sure you don't want some nice porridge or eggs?"

Frankie sets up a clamour, and Janice... gives in. Fruity Pebbles for all.

Does Fruity Pebbles play well with clockwork? Tune in next time to find out!

Gwen notices this, and grunts ("This is a family worth fighting for")

Trina might be a bad and very sugary influence, as Frankie is shown how the pastel-colored syrup dredge at the bottom of the bowl is best savored. But she also does wash dishes.

It is a much happier breakfast than any could have wished for. The secret ingredient? Hope.
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