Upper branches – Wingnut compound: Kettenrad quarter.
The elevator has let off in a section of the Wingnut clan's treetop compound. A sign near the elevator reads
'Kettenrad. Let not your hands wander, lest an evil fate befall you.'
and a beneath that in really small letters 'And we mean it, too!'. Several walkways branch out to various sections of the Kettenrad quarter. Most appear to be walkways to the family members' private quarters. However, a few stand out as different; one leads up to a large, multi-roomed building that appears to be some sort of group dining hall. It's currently brightly lit and quite cheerful … in spite of the odd piping and various belts that stick out of it at various angles. Another, path leads off into a center section of the compound. In the distance of that path, a jungle of roping and nets can be seen. And lastly, a more ominous path branches off. It looks like one to a private residence, but it's overgrown and tangled.

It's been a busy morning for Amelia. She's mainly been on her quest for the 'proper' chase route through the trees. It went fairly well and she has the beginnings of a route now. As she was walking back, she encountered none-other than everyone's favorite Lapi, Parsley, on the way back towards the territory. The pair chatted as they walked, well, right up until Parsley's keen ears heard Elsa calling for Amelia. So, back they went to the compound and to the upper platform. Waiting there is Elsa. Her hair is tied back under a bandanna and she's wearing a thick apron and gloves. "Ah, Amelia, you did hear me," she starts to say and only then notices Parsley is there too. "And Parsley! I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you; you've been around a lot lately with my son. Is there anything I should know about?"

"That depends, Mrs. K," the Lapi doe responds. "What do you already know?"

"That you can out-cook me. Even the scraps left in the kitchen beat my best meals," the Kadie answers, smiling. "Are you, ah, trying to prepare my son for something? And on an unrelated topic, I haven't seen your sister around town lately."

"Oh, I owed Zahn that much, and Gunther too," Parsley says, smiling at the praise for her cooking (although Amelia looks surprised at the information). "Clover is… recovering from an accident. Igor is watching over her."

"Has Zahn been helping out the Chalks then? I'm not quite sure just what he has been up to lately," Elsa comments as she pulls off her gloves. A look of horror then crosses her face and she puts a hand to her forehead. "Please don't tell me Zahn was the cause of her accident."

"Oh no!" Parsley says, holding out her hands. "He's been helping her recover, really! He practically saved her life even!"

"Gunther saved Parsley, so Zahnrad had to save Clover to maintain balance," Amelia offers.

Elsa looks relieved. "Really?" she asks, "I thought he couldn't stand her."

"Well… she's mellowed a bit," Parsley mumbles, folding her ears down. "Anyway," Amelia interrupts, "what did you need me for, Elsa?"

"I didn't need you, I wanted to ask you something," Elsa explains as she approaches the pair. "Since you spend a lot of time here, I was wondering if you would like your own cabin in the Wingnut lands. Your own official territory here to go compliment yours in the Blacktail territory."

Amy blinks at this. "My own… by I'm just an honorary Wingnut right now, and… " The girl falters for a moment, and then whispers, "Does this mean I shouldn't be staying in Zahn's cabin?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that. Stay there as long as you like," Elsa says and quickly waves her hands. "I was just thinking if you wanted privacy now and then you might like your own. It isn't like we exactly have a population explosion here. There is room." She then looks between Parsley and Amelia, then jokes, "Or maybe my son needs a bigger cabin for his growing harem!"

Parsley squeaks at the joke and looks guilty, so Amelia tries to cover by asking, "Well, what cabin is available then? I suppose I do need to learn how to set locks and traps and… such."

Elsa smiles a bit too slyly. "You would be expected to build it dear," the older woman explains.

"Well then… ah… " Amy asks, rubbing the back of her head. "What do I get to start with then? And… do I need to provide all my own tools and materials?"

"Can it be a hole?" Parsley asks, trying to be helpful.

"Why, you get to start with your own ingenuity, of course," Elsa offers helpfully, "And any of the general tools in the territory are welcome to be used. You can also recruit whomever you wish to help. And there are, of course, some basic building plans in the archives as well. But … I do hope you would try to modify them some if you used them. It should match your personality." That sure sounds … test-like.

"My personality?" Amy asks, looking a bit confused. "Can a cabin do that?" she wonders, and looks to Parsley. "Oh, uh, sure it can, Amy!" the Lapi says, smiling. "Just… make it round and soft and… covered in pointy objects… well. Okay, maybe not."

"I'm not secretive, so… lots of windows?" Amelia suggests to Elsa.

Elsa holds up her hands. "It's your cabin, that is entirely up to you," she explains, "You're welcome to look around any of the unlocked cabins for inspiration too, if you want. I think that is only Zahn's and Stephan's, though. Gunther never leaves his unlocked."

Amelia's tail twitches in thought. She's already seen Stephan's and Zahn's cabins, of course. "Ummm, what about your cabin, Elsa?" she asks a bit shyly.

"Mine? Dear me, why? I wouldn't mind, of course. It's just … I'm not sure what you would find of interest there," Elsa notes.

"The only other female Wingnut's cabin I've visited is Deirdre's," Amy notes. "Which… well, I doubt it's very typical. And you came from outside the clan to begin with too, so… I guess I'd just like to see what you came up with."

"Deirdre is … yes, well. She's a little strange," Elsa has to admit. She clicks her tongue a few times as she thinks, then reaches into her apron and pulls out a key. Offering it, she says, "North bridge. Cross three small platforms, then turn left. My cabin is on the end of that bridge."

Amelia takes the key and bobs her tail. "Thank you, Elsa! I mean, I can understand you easier than the others here," she says.

Smiling again, Elsa asks, "Can you give me a few minutes with Parsley alone before you two head off?"

"What? Sure," Amy says, looking to Parsley for confirmation. The doe just smiles and nods to Amelia. "Okay, I'm going back to Zahn's cabin first, then I'll come get you, Parsley," the Kadie girl says, and dashes off down a walkway.

"W-what did you want to talk about, Mrs. K?" Parsley asks, her ears turning a bit red. "Recipes?"

"I didn't want to ask in front of Amelia, but is Zahn all right? You usually only spend time with those the town is worried about," Elsa asks a bit worriedly.

"Oh!" Parsley says, understanding. "Oh it's nothing like that… well… not now! He's got Amy! I'm just with him because… uh… " here the doe falters a bit. "Mmmmm. It's kinda… physical… " she mutters, waving a hand and biting her lower lip (which isn't too hard, giving Lapi teeth).

"Oh, he's your current … outlet," Elsa comments with a short nod of her head. She thinks for a moment on that, then asks, "Is he also Clover's, then? You two tend to do things as a pair."

"It's sort of complicated, Mrs. K," Parsley says, looking down and swirling a foot around. "He and I… and Clover… became really close for a brief time when he was saving her. We feel drawn together when we're in his presence. And Clover needs it too. Not that I've done anything yet with Zahn! I mean… I promised Amelia that I'd wait."

"Oh. I thought it was just the unspoken town agreement for the clans to help the Lapi's have an outlet for the usual urges. It used to be that most of the Kadie and Skeek clan members at some point in their lives have had a Lapi friend," Elsa admits and smiles. "But this situation sounds a bit more serious… "

"Should I ask if you had a special friend when you were younger, Mrs. K?" Parsley asks, a bit coyly. "And it's not serious. It'll pass, eventually. And it's not like I'm in love with Zahn. It's okay, though, right?"

"What a silly question; of course I did," Elsa says without a hint of embarrassment. "And it's only a problem if you make it one, I guess. Everyone involved is happy with the arrangement, right?"

"Well, Amy is a bit reluctant about involving Clover still, even though she went to save her too," Parsley admits. "And sometimes I think Zahn's head is about to explode, but I'm sure that will pass after Amy… umm… it'll pass in time."

"Have you thought about just having Amelia and Clover … talk?" Elsa asks.

"Clover needs to recover a bit more before that can happen," Parsley notes. "It takes a lot of concentration for her and Amy to talk without any accidents happening! I mean, they're arch-rivals, after all."

"With the same boyfriend. Sort of," Elsa comments and just shakes her head. "Just … how does it feel when you and Clover are with Zahn?"

"Did you ever stand outside the town bakery and just smell the fresh bread?" the doe asks.

"Yes," Elsa answers.

"Kinda like that. Like being wrapped in a blanket of warm bread," Parsley says.

"That sounds … harmless," Elsa admits. "I'm sure it will be fine. And if nothing else, it might get Zahn to relax some. I do remember feeling relaxed after the repeated … ahem. Anyway. That was all I wanted to ask you. It's been nice seeing you again. I do hope you'll be around more; I can learn some recipes from you!"

Parsley wags her tail (not that it's visible) at the suggestion. "Oh, sure thing Mrs. K! I like cooking! It's a great way to work off tension!"

Elsa pulls her gloves back on. With a wave, she walks off, her tail bobbing behind her. "Remember, cross the small platforms, then left," she calls back.

---

The directions were simple enough to follow. Within five minutes Amelia and Parsley reach the indicated cabin. The key fits the lock and with a twist the door unlocks and opens.

Elsa Kettenrad's Cabin
Out of all the cabins in the Wingnut compound, Elsa has the most normal. It's a tidy little cabin with a nicely made bed in the corner covered with a home-made quilt. The walls are decorated in a dozen different paintings; all of her family. In fact … judging by the easel in the corner, Elsa's hobby might be painting. Amelia recognizes right off the pictures of Zahn, Gunther, and … yes, even Stephan. There is also a small desk in the room that sits directly in front of a polished chitin mirror. Several styles of brushes and combs sit on its top … all neatly arranged in a line from largest to smallest.

"Wow, it could almost be my cabin back in the orchards… except for the lack of weapons and being, you know, organized," Amelia comments.

"It looks very cozy!" Parsley notes, smiling at all the portraits.

The closest portrait to the pair is one of Stephan. First thing Amelia notices on it is the necklace he's wearing … the same key-pendant see found at the dam. The portrait couldn't have been done much before he died from the looks of it.

Amelia pauses before that portrait the longest. I could ask for his advice, she thinks. "I guess I don't have to have a cabin that's full of tricks," the Kadie finally says, but still wonders about her personality. What is her personality?

"Who's that?" Parsley asks, looking over Amy's shoulder. "He's cute."

"Zahn's late older brother," Amy says softly. "He was killed working on the dam."

"Oh… I didn't know," the Lapi says, and turns to a more cheerful topic. "I like all the portraits, and the quilt and stuff. It's way better than a burrow cut from chalk! What will you put in yours?"

"Uh… I dunno," Amy says. "Maybe some of my old witch stuff."

"Wow, I didn't think you'd have kept it, once you started the militia stuff," Parsley says, poking around as Lapi are wont to do.

It doesn't help that the Stephan painting's eyes seem so full of life and so … happy. The rest of the paintings seem to be equally happy, at least. One is definitely of Zahn and he can't be more than seven. He's practically grinning from ear to ear and presenting a makeshift glider toy to the 'artist'.

"I kept it," Amy says. "I'm still technically a junior witch. I've got a special hat too… " She pauses at the portrait of young Zahn next. "I wonder if our kids would look like this?"

One thing Parsley notices is the assortment of brushes on the desk. They almost rival the collection most Lapi have for ear grooming!

"I bet you have to make your own lock, no matter what," the doe remarks, and ooos at the collection of combs, and looks in the mirror too. "Mrs. K doesn't seem like the vain type, you know? I wonder if these combs are… hair-looms!" she jokes, although Amelia doesn't seem to notice. "Maybe," the Kadie comments.

The painting right next to that one is … Zahn and Gunther fighting? Wrestling? Competing? Doing something anyway. There's no malice in their faces, though; more … just trying to one up each other."

The easel nearby had what looks like a blank canvas on it … but now closer, it's actually a covered canvas.

Amelia grins at the painting. As long ago as it was done, she can still picture the two like that. "I wonder if she'll… " she says, and then peeks under the canvas cover.

Amelia finds herself staring at … herself? At least … it sure looks like herself from what little she can see without completely removing the cover.

"Well, that answers my question," Amy whispers and lowers the cover back. "Let's go Parsley; it's going past 'have a look' and into 'poking around' now."

The doe looks up from where she was about crawl under the desk. "But we didn't find any secret compartments or anything!" she complains.

"There aren't any," Amy says firmly. "Elsa Kettenrad doesn't hide anything."

"She even puts her treasure on display!" the Kadie adds, heading for the door.

Parsley figures Amy isn't referring to the combs, and follows along out of the cabin.

As Amelia looks towards Parsley … something catches her eye in the mirror just past her. Her own reflection. Or … is it? There are three blood-red streaks of fur going down her left cheek and over her left eye; they almost look like claw marks. In fact, the iris of that eye is also red.

The girl's hand flies to her face where the marks are! "Parsley! Is there something on my face?" she asks the doe.

To Parsley, Amelia's face looks perfectly normal. Black fur.

"Did something get in your eye?" the doe asks, prizing Amy's fingers away from the Kadie's face. "I don't see anything… "

"Oh… uh, must have just been an itch," Amy mutters, dropping her hand as if nothing was wrong.

From where Amelia stands she can still see the mirror. The streaks are there in the mirror and so is that red eye…

"Well, maybe some tree sap got in your fur from earlier?" Parsley suggests.

Turning back from the mirror, Amelia insists, "No, it's nothing. I'm fine now, so let's go."

"Don't forget to lock up," the Lapi suggests as she leaves first.

"Are you okay?" Amelia hears in a soft whisper behind her. The voice is familiar enough; Stephan.

Once Parsley has left, Amy turns to look over her shoulder. "Stephan?" she whispers.

There's a faint image of Stephan sitting on the foot of the bed and swinging his legs. "You're not mad at Mom for doing that painting are … what happened to your eye?" he asks.

"You can see it then?" Amy asks. "I'm not mad, I'm… touched. I don't have a mother so… but never mind that. You can see the red marks on me, can't you?"

"Yeah. They're kinda neat," the ghost enthuses. He tries to wave Amelia over.

Amy goes to sit next to the apparition on the bed. "Do you sense anything… bad… from them?" she asks him. "I think it's my spirit… my real spirit… trying to show through."

Stephan reaches up and touches Amelia's cheek. Mainly it just feels like a cool breeze where his fingers touch … but when those fingertips brush over the red marks, that changes. As his fingers trace along those marks, they feel solid as if for the moment his hand was real. They even feel warm. "I can … touch you where it is red," he says in surprise. "I don't feel anything bad I just … feel you."

Amelia reaches for the hand, but stops before touching it. Her fingers aren't red yet. "It's my spirit. Or… a spirit. I don't really know. That ghost-lizard pet of Natasha's got me to bring it out, and now it's not going back. So… I have to learn how to use it, I guess. Magic. But not like a witch. It's scary, Stephan. With everything else going on… it's scary. Oh… I need to build a cabin too. I don't think I've ever used a saw before."

"Well… that one time helping Zahn with the propeller, but that was a big saw," the girl notes.

Amelia's hand stops a few inches away from Stephan's … and after a few seconds, the fur seems to flow red, leaving her hand and palm the color of blood. The question remains if Amelia wanted that to happen … or it happened on its own.

"Using a saw is easy. Hand saws just slide back and forth. Building a cabin isn't hard either, you just do one part at a time. Floor, walls, roof. Best thing if you don't know where to start is to just get some plans," Stephan notes. "I didn't know how to build my planet map either I just … started and fixed things when they broke."

The girl tries touching Stephan's hand now, if only to avoid being disturbed by the effect.

"Elsa said I could look at plans in the archives," Amy notes. "The archives scare me though. And I'm not good with plans yet. But I don't want to completely embarrass myself either. How many tries does it normally take to get it right?"

It feels like she just touched a child's hand when she touches his. "It doesn't seem that scary to me," he notes as he takes a hold of her hand. "Depends on the complexity of what you're doing. Sometimes it takes a lot. And … who would laugh at you if it didn't work the first time? Mom wouldn't."

"You have some weird cousins though," Amy notes, and tries to ruffle Stephan's hair next. "Well… Deirdre probably wouldn't either. I don't think I need anything more complex than a box. I'm not that complex myself! Well… okay maybe I'm more complex than I like, but I think something basic is best."

"You could ask someone to help you. I think, anyway," Stephen suggests as his spectral hair is ruffled. "Or … just take my old cabin. It's not like I need it," he adds as a bit of a depressed aside.

"I would have helped if I weren't … dead. I'd be older than you, you know," he comments quietly and looks at the floor.

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate," Amelia notes, patting the boy. "I should build something of my own. And that means working it out from scratch, I think. I'll practice building the pieces, and learn about tubes and whatnot like Zahn has, and locks."

Stephan bobs his head at that. "Just … don't be afraid to fail, okay? Everyone learns from it," he says as he leans a bit to the side and peers at the doorway. "And I think your friend is listening."

"Uh, she's a Lapi, they can't help it," Amy whispers. "But I'm the only one that can see and hear you, right?" she asks, and holds up her now-red hand. "Because of this?"

"Maybe. I don't know," the Kadie ghost admits with a small shrug, "But if it is, I hope you never lose it. I'm glad to have a friend." He swings his feet a few more times, then asks, "And you figured out what Mom's treasure is, haven't you?"

"Her family," Amelia says, gesturing to the photos. "And her memory of them."

"Yeah. And you're part of that now. Welcome to the nuthouse," Stephen says as he grins widely.

"Thanks!" Amelia says, grinning right back. "At least I get to design my own padded cell!"

"And you better go before your friend really wonders about you sitting in here and talking to yourself," Stephan says and shoos with his hands.

"I'll just tell her I've been talking to a ghost," Amelia notes. "I mean, it's Parsley. Plus, she just got back from seeing Buffy the vampire, so should understand."

"She really exists? You should introduce me some time!" Stephen says, grinning. Again he waves his hands to shoo her away, then fades away himself. As Amelia finally heads out the door … she could almost swear the portrait of Stephan is smiling at her.