Alicia heads into the kitchen with a yawn, rubbing the back of her neck. She takes a moment to pause, then heads over to the coffee maker.

Bernie is seated at the kitchen table, staring into a mug of coffee. One would have expect to find some sort of instruction manual in it, from her expression, but all that seems likely to be in there is milk.... and perhaps some sugar. Both her hands are resting in her lap, which isn't generally a useful way to drink a hot beverage.

Matt continues talking to Alicia's back as she walks through the hall, following her into the kitchen, toward the coffee. He still has his cigarette, and is leaving a faint contrail behind him as he walks. "Oi know that. Oi won't regret that, it's just..." he cuts himself off, seeing Bernie. "...Um... Mornin', Books." He slumps back against the doorframe, closing his eyes.

Alicia grabs the pot of coffee and peers into it. Glancing over at Matt's voice, she regards the Gnawer. "Hey there you." She says warmly.

Bernie glances up, startled, at Matt's voice, and manages a weak smile, replying, "...yup, 'til noon..." before she glances over to the coggie briefly, "...hi, 'licia." She looks slightly surprised to see the cup of coffee still on the table, and actually picks it up and takes a sip, now. Her backpack is on the floor beside her, half-open. She looks rather tired, and her eyes are definitely a bit on the red side.

Matt knocks his head on the doorframe, once and gently. His eyes are also red and puffy, and he's still in his clothes from last night. Opening his eyes again, he heads for the coffee maker. One mug, sugar, cream, and oh yeah, a little coffee. Behind the counter, to Bernie's back he mutters, not quite to himself: "'M sooch a muppet. Oi really know how to arse fings up, don't Oi?"

"...Muppets were always onea my fave shows," Bernie comments equally quietly, making a face at her coffee as she takes another sip. "...funny. Terr'ble puns an' all." She reaches into her pocket and produces a packet of sugar, which she tears open and unceremoniously adds to the coffee.

Matt takes his coffee to the table and sits next to Bernie. "Hey..." he says, as soothingly as he can with a voice that is hoarse from too many cigarettes and too little sleep. He reaches out to take one of her hands in his. "Nuffin's changed, Books. Oi'm still 'appier ta walk into a room when Oi know you're in it."

Bernie half-smiles into the coffee, and gives Matt's hand a little squeeze. "...still happier t' be in a room when y' walk inta it," she replies, and nibbles her lower lip slightly, taking a sip of the coffee to distract herself a little.

Matt takes a sip of his coffee, judges it, finds it worthy, then drains about half the cup in one go. He lets go her hand, but only to brush her hair back away from her face, fingertips grazing her cheek. He just looks, for a long time, then sighs wistfully. "Anyfing new on Harbor Park?" he asks quietly. "Y'know, maybe we should try ta fix the fountain."

Bernie swallows, and nods, not quite able to look back for the moment. "...yeah, still wanna do that... haven' quite got it all figured out yet, though. Pretty much figured out how it useta look, 'least, though I dunno 'f we wanna make it th' same's it useta be..." She ponder a minute. "...I -'spect- we'll hafta recruit a few more people t' do it... I'm thinkin' Max an' 'licia if she ever gets off house 'rest..." She does shoot him a quick, sideways smile, now.

Matt smiles, looking like an accident survivor. "Oi fink restoration is the way ta go," he muses. "If ye know whot it looked like, we can recast the broken bits. Max'd be yer girl there, Oi fink. Oi can do grunt work, an' someone's goin' ta 'ave ta get under it an' fix th' plumbin'. You should take this to yer tribe."

Bernie nods, thoughtfully, "...I know wha' it useta look like, a'ight... -first- thing needs t' be done, though, is I gotta get a look't what it looks like -now-, unner all tha' plywood. Maybe take a few pics fer ref'rence. Think that's gonna be a four a.m. job. Better get holda a flash cam'ra..." She trails off, staring off into the near distance as she thinks.

Matt nods, more vigorously. "Oi'll find a prybar and a hammer, put 'em in the scooter." He takes another slug of coffee, leaving dregs and a layer of sugar onteh bottom of the mug. "We shouldn't do this tonight. We need ta sleep. *Oi* need ta sleep."

A very slight laugh greets that, and a return nod. "Yeah, there's that... 'course," she points out, "we really oughta do it onna weeknight; fri-sat y'gotta worry too much 'bout cops an' passersby even in th' wee hours. So if not t'night, guess Sunday at th' earliest, maybe Monday. Gives me time t' track down th' cam'ra, 'least. An' figure out what else we ought take. ....tape measure, f'r one..." Bernie finishes off her own coffee, leaving a layer of sugar on the bottom of her mug as well.

Agatha steps inside from the back door and looks around at both objects and people.

Alicia strides in from the living room after her walk to the barn and back. She gazes over to catch Agatha step through the door and blinks a bit.

Matt stands up. "More coffee?" He offers. "Oi hear it's good for plannin' sessions loike this."

Bernie and Matt are sitting at the table, beside each other, apparently talking. Empty coffee mugs sit in front of them; they both look a bit on the exhausted side. Bernie nods, handing her cup up to Matt as he stands, "Yeah, please. Cafeine is m'friend..." She glances at the entrances as people wander in from each, and offers a slight smile and wave to both newcomers.

Alicia waves to her two friends, heading over. Turning her gaze, she regards Agatha for a moment. "Um.. Hi there.." She puts on a bright smile, but still wary of who it is.

"Can we 'elp you, Miss?" Matt asks, making no assumptions about the newcomer. "Oi'm making coffee if you'd like some."

Agatha smiles faintly at Alicia and looks at Matt. She addresses the former, however. "I am looking for Adam." She clearly expects that the girl will know which Adam.

Alicia oh's. "Um... thats my teacher. Ah'm not sure where he is right now. Ah'think he's prolly patrolling the near by area.. Um.. may I ask who's looking fo'em?" She softly says, stepping forward.

Agatha's accent is clearly Greek, btw. She nods to Alicia. "Agatha Ioannides. You are his student, you say?"

Alicia dips her head in a nod. "Yup, ah'am. Ah'm Alicia Jackson." Shifting her weight a bit on her feet, she cants her head slightly to the side.

Agatha studies Alicia for a few long moments, apparently sizing her up.

Alicia isn't all that much to size up. Is a lean looking thang with dyed blonde hair and dark brown eyes.

Matt breaks the tableau by walking between the two with the coffee pot in his hands. While pouring a fresh cup for Bernie and himself, he asks "So...are you a friend of Adam's, or Family?" The capital is 'F' is palpable.

Bernie's hands fold together on the table, and she sort of stares off into space, thinking, one might suppose. She doesn't appear to be paying much if any attention to the rest of the goings on.

Agatha grimaces faintly as Matt walks between herself and Alicia, but answers him nonetheless, in a tone of patience. "I believe he considers me to be a friend. We are not in the least related." The capitalization of Matt's question may not have registered.

Alicia rubs the back of her neck a bit, then clears her throat a bit. "Aww.. I guess you can say Adam and I are kinda related." Tracing away a few strands of hair from her face, she tucks them behind her ears.

Agatha arches an eyebrow at Alicia, scrutinizing her again. "I see." She pauses, as if considering her next words with care. "You are... children of the same mother, then?"

Alicia nods her head slowly, a small smile creeping across her lips. "Yes I am. A real tree hugger."

Matt shrugs, moving back to the kitchen to replace the pot. If he is tempted to interject, he supresses it, following Alicia's lead.

Agatha nods towards the others. "And they?"

Alicia glances over towards Bernie and Matt, giving a smile. "Thats Matt and Bernie. We are all on the same level, just different branches of that big o'tree ah'life."

Apparently Bernie's listening after all... she turns and gives Alicia a somewhat pained, I-can't-believe-you-really-said-that look, then grins fleetingly and sips her newly refilled coffee. And winces. Oh yeah. Milk. There needs to be milk. And more sugar. Yarg.

Agatha relaxes marginally. She looks at the other girl. "And your tribe, Sleeping child?"

Matt is already pulling milk out of the fridge, and pushing the sugar bowl in Bernie's direction. He rolls his eyes in Alicia's direction. "Tree o' Life? *sigh* Well, Hakuna Matata, then."

Alicia snorts slightly at Matt. "Its a whole lot better then saying. OH Yah, we're all a buncha werewolves living on a farm." She huffs and heads to the cupboards, flipping her hair back.

Bernie smirks at Matt, commenting dryly, "...what a -wonderful- phrase." Snagging the sugar bowl, she adds, "...thanks..." and looks up toward Agatha, "Me? Bernie Rosenberg, sometimes called Reads-in-Darkness, Rag'bash 'Gnawer cub, niceta meetcha." She sounds reasonably sincere about that, if distracted.

Agatha looks Bernie over again, then, finally, looks at Matt. "And you, your tribe?" She seems, possibly, a hair less interested in his answer than she was in the girls' answers.

"Matt Fulton," he answers brusquely. "Fianna. Philodox. Cub. And you?" He adds milk to his coffee and hands it to Bernie.

Alicia takes out a box of cup o'noodles and turns around to face the trio. Popping the package open, she's curious to where the conversation is going.

Agatha grimaces slightly at the cub's tone. "Cliath Artisan of the Black Furies, child."

Alicia brightens up visibly and grins to Agatha. "Hey, awesome. So you know Leda n' Helen an' Tecmessa too?"

Agatha chuckles. "I have met Helen and Tecmessa-rhya, yes. I have not yet met Leda. I have but recently returned here, after all."

Bernie nods, flashing a quick smile, and then pours milk into her coffee until the liquid reaches the rim and turns a sort of sickly pale tan. "...thanks," she repeats quietly to Matt, and takes a sip of her coffee. No wince this time, it must have been sufficiently doctored.

Alicia continues to smile. "Helen and I are sisters. Kinda. Thats what she calls me. I'm really close with the Furies. Um... some of us got.. similiar issues ya'know? But they are like family ta' me. Rilly' 'elped me thru' some stuff."

Matt glances at the clokc and his eyes get wide. "Oh, bollocks. Is that the time? oi'm supposed ta be at work in a few minutes. Must run," he says, draining the cup in one gulp. He makes a face at the heat, then darts toward the stairs. "Anovver time, perhaps? See you later, Alicia. Books, Oi'll get those tools togevver."

Agatha arches an eyebrow at Alicia. "I see. Perhaps you will tell me about it sometime."

Agatha seems to ignore the hurrying male cub.

Alicia waves a hand quickly to Matt. "See ya latah' skatah'." Turning back to Agatha, she smiles. "If ya want ah'can tell ya whenever ya'want. Ah'can tell ya 'ow Helen killed muh step fatha."

Agatha looks interested, but puzzled. "She did, did she?"

Bernie doesn't. She flashes him a quick grin, and nods, "Cool beans, I'll work on th' other bits, talk t' ya when y' get back, yeah?" Another sip of her coffee, watching him run off, and a somewhat uncomfortable sideways glance toward Alicia as she gets onto that topic.

Alicia nods and pulls up a chair at the table, spinning it around and straddles it. "Yup. Ya wanna hear the Galliard version o' it? O' th' quicky gory details?"

Agatha waves a hand as she finds a mostly clear section of countertop and perches on it. "The quick version, please. I can add my own Galliard inventions if I want them."

Bernie knocks back about half the coffee at once, makes a face, and gives up on it, pushing back from the table and dumping the remains out in the sink. She rinses out the thick layer of sugar in the bottom, and sets the cup aside, ineffectually shoving her curls back behind her ears as she wanders back to the table to grab her backpack. "'f y'all'll 'scuse me, I'm gonna go try an' go catch forty 'r so. Twenny, anyhow. Later..." She hefts the bag and heads out of the kitchen and toward the stairs herself.

"Well, its kinda like this. My mom married this total fucked up asshole after our dad died. Ah' an muh twin brother were 'bout six o' seven. It was all good for a couple years, until Richard, dat was the guy's name, started ta' get rilly inta' drinking an stuff. He kept losing his job, an started taking his shit out on mom. He'd beat the fuck outta 'er, threaten 'er." Rubbing her temples, Alicia shifts a bit in her seat. "He started ta' 'ave a lil fun wi' me when ah'turned 10 or so. He'd sneak inta' my room, hold me down wi' ah knife, tell me if ah'to' anyone, he'd slit my throat. Then, he'd do da' dirty deed. Well, afta ah ran away an got picked up by th' Garou, ah' got in touch wi' the Furies. Dey' asked 'bout me an ah'told 'em my story. So, Leda, the Rhya. She got Karin n' Helen ta'gether an took a lil trip ta th' city. They came back tha' night an Leda gave his well... hits nuts." She wrinkles her nose. "She let th' cubs rip 'em in a few pieces."

Agatha snorts, then thinks for a moment. "Child, that was a great deal of effort for one miserable man. Was he Wyrm-corrupt that they needed to hunt him all three together?"

[...so, after attempting to sleep and spending several hours staring out the window and thinking and writing and all that fun stuff...]

Bernie wanders down the stairs, notebook idly dangling from one hand, and heads toward the kitchen. She's not wearing her jacket right now, so one might guess the kitchen is her final and eventual destination for now.

In the back of the house, Matt slides open the back door and steps inside quickly, shutting the chill air out. A cold ride from the city has put a chill on him, and he heads not to the fridge but to the coffee maker.

Bernie stops in the doorway, leaning lightly against the doorjamb, and watches the other cub for a few moments before greeting him with a quiet smile and, "...hey," and restarting her course for the fridge.

Matt looks up at the familiar voice. "Hey, Books." He says quietly. "Want some coffee? I'm making fresh."

Bernie pauses, hand on the fridge door, and nods, opening it and just pulling out the milk, in preparation. "Sure, thanks... was gonna have a soda, but coffee'll do, what th' heck." She sets the milk on the table, and drops into a seat, laying her notbook on the tabletop before her. "...so... how'd work go t'day?"

Matt pulls a couple of mugs down out of the cabinet, pours water into the coffee maker and sets it to brewing. "Not bad. They're pretty excited about me becoming legal, as you can probably imagine."

Bernie grins briefly, and nods. "Yeah, c'n see how they'd be kinda stoked 'bout it... 'y'mean th' INS i'n't gonna come by an' whack us upside th' head? Woohoo!'" She toys with her pen a little, tapping the end against the cover of her notepad.

Matt shoos her out from behind the counter, over toward the table. "It'll be done brewing in a minute. 'ave patience." He takes a seat to lounge in, saying "They were a bit concerned when it expired, but if my sister files for me, I'll be a permanent resident, and I won't 'ave ta worry about imigration quotas."

"Sounds good then," Bernie replies, "...d'ya know how long it'll take? I mean, is this like a two week kinda process or more like two years or somethin'?" She shifts position a bit, pushing the disobedient curl behind her ear, where it actually stays for several seconds before easing itself back out.

Matt shrugs. "Not a clue. But I fink the clock stops as soon as the papers are filed, so I won't 'ave ta worry about gettin' deported." He starts to reach up to put the curl back again, but stops his hand short, letting it return, forlornly, to its place on the table. "Any road, 'ave you given any more thought to our expedition to the Fountain?"

Bernie glances down to her notebook, nibbling her bottom lip lightly to supress a sigh. "Well, tha's good, yeah, wouldn' want 'em sweepin' in an' carryin' y' off." A slight pause, "...or tryin' to anyway. An', yeah, did a li'l..." She opens the notepad, flipping through several pages. Some are in English, but most look as though they've been written in greek. Some of those, by layout, resemble lists or poems, and she stops at one about a third of the way through the book and scans it quickly. There seem to be a few scratchy diagrams on this one as well, and a few doodles -- hearts, stars, little cartoon faces, the occasional odd-lettered comment -- in the margin. "Was tryin' t' figure out what sorta stuff we're gonna need t' get hold of, an' who might know how t' do th' bits we dunno..."

Matt chuckles, then gets up to retrieve the coffee. "One fing at a time, Books. Oi know you're excited, but let's solve the first problem first: 'ow are we goin' ta get a look at the damage to the fountain?"

"...always tend t' work on things kinda all at once," she replies, glancing at the page again, "...a'ight, so. T' get a look. First off, I got a look at somea th' pictures in th' back issues of th' paper from when it got messed up, so I got 'least an idea what we oughta find there... but, 'kay. We're gonna hafta go dead of night, four a.m. or so, weeknight, like we were sayin' this mornin'... 's wrapped up in plywood an' has a door, with a big padlock on it. Now, I figure, better t' keep it as secret as poss'ble, an' try t' get th' key or pick th' lock rather'n act'ly break anythin', y'know? Otherwise they might start watchin' it closer an' that'd make fixin' it a major pain in th'... khyber." A quick smile, there. "...so, I'm gonna take a better look't th' lock, see how it looks, what brand it is an' all, an' see 'f I c'n find out 'f anyone might be able t' open it. Act'ly 'f it's not -too- complicated -I- might be able t' do it, but..." She shrugs slightly, looking over at him. "You wouldn't happen t' know how by any chance?"

Matt gives her a lop-sided grin at the slang, then takes what may seem like a complete non-sequitur: "Yi's a ragabash, isn't she?"

Bernie nods, "...mmmhm, she is... how come?"

Matt pours coffee into both mugs, leaving room for the sugar and milk. "No reason, 'cept that I understand one o' the Gifts Gaia gives No-Moons is an ability ta get past locks...ta get into places they aren't s'posed to." He shrugs. "Yi might know it, or know someone who does..."

Bernie grins wickedly, "...yeah? Now, -that- sounds useful... thanks, I'll make a note t' ask her 'bout that..." She does, too, making a bullet point on the lined paper and marking something down beside it. "...'ll try t' look inta that t'day or t'marra, when I c'n find 'er."

Matt sits down, adding milk and sugar to his cup until it is about to overflow. "Oi'll get some bolt cutters...just in case."

Bernie nods a bit, following suit with her own cup. "...yeah, couldn't hurt. But, y'know, last resort an' all, 'cause I don' want 'em payin' attention to it 'f I c'n help it...."

"I swear, Books," Matt chuckles. "you're gettin' smarter alla time..." He carefully raises his mug to his lips, sipping the coffee so as not to spill any. "there are Veils and there are veils. An' the less attention we draw, the better."

"'Zactly," the ragabash replies, and then colours a shade, "...'bout th' attention, I mean..." She eyes the coffee critically, and dumps in another heaping spoonful of sugar. It can't hurt. "There's 'partment buildings that look down on th' fountain, an' y' c'n see it from th' street, so everythings gotta be as quick an' quiet an' innocent lookin' as we c'n manage, even if we -do- do it way late. Haven't quite d'cided yet if th' trade off of doin' it at new moon'd be worth it... harder t' be seen, but harder t' see, too, y' know?

Matt grins behind his coffee mug. Something is very funny. "Aren't we plannin' on using a flashbulb camera? It won't matter what moon it is then, roight?"

Bernie nods, "Yeah, once we're inside th' enclosure... 's pretty big, y'know... I figure, 'f we got it unlocked, we c'n jus' go inside an' close th' door t' take th' pics. Then we c'n get back out an' go. So I'm not worried too much 'bout that, we c'n use th' flashlight in there too," a slight, thoughtful pause, "...'ssumin' th' thing's gotta roof, 'm too short t' tell. Better check that... but anyway, I was more thinkin' 'bout th' gettin' in part."

Matt shrugs. "There's goin' ta be some risk, no matter 'ow we do it. Oi say let's no' worry about th' roof. We get past the lock, however...then go in, close the door behind us...ah! Got it. Find out what kind of lock it is. If Oi 'ave ta use bolt cutters on it, we just replace it. No one will know the difference until they try ta open it."

Bernie giggles, "Good thought! Bet they never do, either... an' then, we won't hafta worry when we go t' do th' act'l work, either, even if we -do- hafta cut it th' first time. Lovely. Gotta plan A, gotta plan B." She makes a few quick notes. "...we oughta get a r'placement lock aheada time, if we c'n swing it, so it's not sittin' with a missin' lock f'r any time. 'less I learn that gift you were mentionin'."

Matt leans back in his chair. "Hey, joost because you're the smart one 'ere doesn't make me a total dobry." He smiles. "Oi fink we better take a few basic tools, too, in case we need ta open a panel or somefin'. Never hurts. You wanta get ski masks?"

Bernie grins. "Just 'cause I 'provea your idea doesn' mean I'm s'prised 'r anythin'... an' yeah, def'nitely tools... not sure 'bout ski masks yet though, they're kinda hard t' justify if someone notices 'em, y'know?" She glances at her list. "...we gotta be real careful, with what we're gonna be bringin' an' all, 'cause th' cops'd prolly think jus' th' gear made a good case f'r us intendin' malicious mischief, y'know?" She ponders, sipping her coffee.

Matt chuckles. "kiddin', Books, kiddin'. An' Oi know /all about/ malicious mischief. We blew up a rail car, remember? We 'aven't got that much gear, do we? I could get a ruck like yours and frow most of it in there." Producing a 'Ruth's Cris Steakhouse' pen from his back pocket and a receipt from his wallet, he starts to make notes himself.

"I r'member," Bernie replies, giggling again, "...still wish I coulda seen that... an' no, 's not so much, 's just hard t' justify ski masks as it bein' cold if they search y'r bag an' y'got bolt cutters an' all, y'know?" She adjusts a couple notes, and starts absently doodling a little in the margin as she sips her coffee again.

Matt continues to scribble. The receipt is small, so Matt writes smaller. "'ave you talked to Joey, or any of the other Gnawers about this? 'Cause we may have ta fix the Umbra around the place too. /That/ we will need 'elp wif."

Bernie shakes her head a bit. "So far, just been researchin' an' thinkin'... you're th' only one I've told 'bout th' idea, so far. I was gonna tell Max, only there were a buncha people in th' park when we got there an' I haven' hadda chance since..." She considers, "...how d'ya think it'll need fixin'? I mean, what d'ya think we'll hafta do?"

Matt gives her a helpless look. "Oi'm no feurge. I fink there's Wyrm stuff around there, particularly in the sewers underneaf, and probably Weaver spirits 'angin' around. It /is/ in the city."

Bernie nods thoughtfully. "Mmm. Lessee. Well... think we oughta worry -more- 'bout th' Wyrm ones... people kinda 'spect a city park t' be kinda organized an' all, right? But... I dunno any theurges, I don't think, not t' invite 'em t' help anyhow... I mean Elan's one but I kinda didn' wanna involve a lotta people, 'specially not elder types..." She trails off as Alicia comes down the stairs in the other room, and takes a drink from her cooling mug.

Matt rubs his neck, taking another swig of rapidly cooling coffee. He acknowledges the sound of someone behind him coming downstairs with a raised eyebrow, and hesitates before answering Bernie.

Alicia peers into the kitchen at the two, blinking her eyes. "Hey, its just me, go ahead an keep plotting." Her eyes sparkle a bit.

Bernie flashes a quick grin at Alicia, lifting a hand to wave. "A'ight, but you must never breathe a worda what y' hear t' anyone, on paina..... serious pain," she declares solemnly. "...by th' way, don' s'pose y' gotta release date yet? Parole hearin' comin' up?"

Alicia shrugs her shoulders. "Adam gave me a new name. An he wants ta' teach me a gift, but he didn't mention anything 'bout parole. Even if I get it, I betcha he won't let me out inta' the city."

"But...did you /ask?/" Matt presses. "Fings also come to those who stand and wait, but usually after everybody else has theirs." He smiles, apparently in a better mood now that he's gotten warm. "You've been stuck 'ere for what, three weeks?"

Alicia shrugs her shoulders. "Ah' think a lil bit mo. Dunno. Jus' lost track. An yes, Ah'did ask. Couple days ago. He said to give it a few more days an ah'll be off. So, ah'm not ganna press th'issue. Tha' an ah wasn't thinking 'bout it. Ah'was ta'busy telling 'em stuff."

Bernie nods in agreement, "Never hurts t' ask, 'less y' whine or got sp'cific'lly told not ta... " She breaks off as Alicia replies, and shrugs, "Ah, well, that's a'ight then... so what's th' new name then, mm?"

Matt shrugs, satisfied with this answer. "Can't be Dyes-Hair-Often. Oi've met her."

Alicia chuckles. "Its Blooms-From-Her-Pain." Shrugging, she blows some hair from her face. "Its a name of maturity."

"'kay. So why'd 'e give it ta /you/, then?" Matt grins, already ducking an imaginary blow.

Bernie giggles at that, sipping her coffee, and then nods to Alicia, "Cool... happier with it than th' old one, yeah?"

Alicia nods her head and shrugs. "A lot better. It sounds weird to say it tho'. But... I guess it fits me."

Matt appraises. "Oi can see that. Question:"--He shoots a quick glance to Bernie for approval--"do you want in? Books here finks it's a good idea ta fix 'arbor Park Fountain."

Alicia brushes her fingers back through her hair, thinking it over a bit. "Whats wrong with it exactly?"

Bernie nods slightly to Matt, and then looks to Alicia, "...exactly? We dunno yet, gotta examine it in person t' be sure... but, sev'ral years ago, it bas'cly got blown up. An' it's been in that plywood cage since. So we're thinkin', 'bout time th' thing got fixed..." She toys with her pen a little. "...plus, people don't go there lots, 'cause it's gotta rep for bein' a bad area. Only, I hang out there a lot, y'know? An' really 's not so bad. Maybe if we fix it up, people'll go there 'gain, y'know?"

Matt gestures vaguely with his hands. "Oi still say our main problem is goin' ta be in the Umbra. That's what's keepin' people away. Any muppet could get the Fountain fixed. They don't /want/ to, for the same reason they don't want to come ta the Farm'ouse. They're scared." he leans forward in his chair. "Oi'm all for lookin' around, but if we find any trouble at all, Oi'm pullin' the plug, we run like scared coneys, and get 'elp from the rest o' the sept. Deal?"

Bernie nods slowly. "....almost deal. I don' wanna 'nounce anythin' t' everyone. Maybe a couple people, def'nitely if somethin' tries t' chase us or somethin'... but, I mean, 'f 's just freaky, we jus' make sure t' get proper back up for round two.... yeah?" She sips her coffee again, then pushes the mug aside for the moment, as it only contains a slightly brown sugar paste now.

Alicia shrugs her shoulders a bit. "Well...we ganna wait for our rites first?"

Matt shrugs. "Oi fink we'd be better equipped ta 'andle ourselves if we do, but Oi'm about ta get mine, so. Oi don't see anyfing wrong wif trying ta fix /this/ side now, an' worry 'bout the Umbra after Riting. Fink, Books, whot if Shadow teaches you that lock-opening gift on yer Rite. Useful, eh?"

"An' more useful 'f I learn it now. Who knows how long it'll be b'fore not only I'm ready for a rite but someone notices?" The Gnawer shakes her head, "...I'm workin' on this now. This side at th' least. I'da done th' same thing if it was my park back home b'fore I even knew I had other forms an' shit." She sounds reasonably determined on this point.

Alicia listens to them silently in regards.

Matt holds his palms out, placatingly. "Roight, never said we weren't doin' it, Bernie. Oi've got the tools, 'aven't Oi? Just tell me you see my point in waitin' 'til after yer Rited ta go inta the Umbra there. An' you'll get noticed. Trust me." He flashes a grin.

"...I do," she replies, with a slight nod, "...said so when we were talkin' 'bout goin' there b'fore, right? Las' week... Only, be nice t' 'least have some idea what we're gonna hafta fix there, y'know?" Bernie adjusts her glasses, glancing down at her strange notes again. "...but def'nitely, we c'n deal with this side first, don' see why it'f be a pro'lem..."

Alicia lays her head across her arms at the table, resting comfortably in her chair. She continues to listen with an open mind.

Matt grins. "Me neither, so long as you don't go tossing firebombs into the coal car." He stands, pushing back from the table. "Oi should get some sleep. Oi've got ta open tomorrow, an' find a bodger's for tools. Sunday night, then?"

Bernie grins back a bit, "...not 'less I happen t' find a promisin' coal car lyin' 'round all forgotten an' unloved..." She watches him stand, and nods a bit, echoing, "...Sunday night, 'f we c'n get it all sorted by then. I'll go case it 'gan an' see 'bout th' gift idea, otherwise, I'll go lock-huntin' too..." She seems about to get up as well for second, but doesn't, just adding, slightly quieter, "...sleep well..."

Alicia pushes herself up a bit as Matt goes to leave, wiggling her fingers towards him. "G'night Matt. Take care an sleep well."

Matt nods, locking eyes with Bernie for a sad, wistful second. He turns quickly and climbs the stairs two at a time.

Bernie watches him go, and then crosses her arms on the table, forehead falling down against them with an audible thunk... rapidly followed by a very quiet, "...ow."

Alicia reaches over and pats her on the head. "Girl talk?"

Bernie sighs, audibly, though it's muffled by her position, as is her eventual reply, "....maybe."

"I know what happened..." She says softly, reaching over to hug the Gnawer. "I know how much it hurts, trust me, believe me. But it was for the best."

Bernie pulls away, though she doesn't lift her head from the table. "Oh yeah," she replies bitterly, "everyone's so much happier now. Easy for you to say."

"Yah...very easy for me to say Bernie. I got pregnant with a Metis, but a Bone Gnawer, before my first change. Then he finds out I'm a Garou, and he dropped me like a bad habit. Real easy. I loved sitting in the attic, cutting my arm, watching it heal, crying because I felt like my life was over. At least you two got it over before it really got hot an heavy. At least you have some kinda dignity left over."

Bernie's jaw tightens, noticable even in that position, and she takes a couple slow, deep breaths before she lifts her head and pushes back, picking up her notebook and pen as she stands. "...I'm going away now," she says, tone dangerously calm and precise, "before I start saying or doing things we'll both regret. Excuse me." With that, she heads for the back door, completely ignoring the fact that she doesn't have her jacket or even her flannel, just her tanktop.

Alicia stands up quickly and takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out that way. Look, I feel ya ok?" She sighs. "I guess I'm just a bit bitter 'bout that situation still. Bernie, just..." She pauses "Just take care of yourself, don't let it consume you. It'll be hard, but you two will become stronger friends because of this. I know its akward, and he's feeling it too."

Bernie pauses with her hand on the door handle, and looks down a little, face shrouded by her curls. "I feel," she whispers, "like someone plunged a hand into my ribcage, ripped out my heart, dropped it in the garbage disposal a while, and hung the remains on the wall for target practice." A pause, "...and no, it doesn't help to know shit happens to other people too. And it definitely doesn't make me feel any better to know," she falters slightly, "...t' know he hurts too, and I can't fix it for either of us..." She stops, and swallows, shaking her head slightly. "....it's so unfair. It's SO unFAIR!" With that quiet outburst, she bonks her forehead against the door, leaning on it for support. After a couple seconds, there's another, almost inaudible, "...ow."

"It is not fair Bernie. Its not fair, but what doesn't kill you, has to make you stronger. Your a Gnawer, your born to survive." She sighs. "Maybe those aren't the best choice of words, I don't think /any/ can really help right now. " She sighs. "Just know that I'll always be here for you Bernie ok? If you need me."

"....yeah," Bernie murmurs, sounding utterly unconvinced. "...anyway. I'm gonna go..." she fails to think of anything in particular to go do and just settles for, "....go." She pulls slightly away from the door, and opens it, barely seeming to notice as a gust of near-freezing air comes in through the opening and surrounds her.