Topher and Sawney should return in a few days. They might send someone to help Alex get through the emotional ordeal of thinking through the process, so they can both give a testimony. Sadly, even magic does not allow the courts to move quickly. There might be sensationalist news on the Elsewhere side of things with people asking for them to give interviews. Which should be easy enough to deflect. Stephen finds unlikely that the people involved will ever set foot on Earth again.

Good. Not just for their sake, but for everyone else's. If they let Davin or the woman go after this Jamie would have to go do something drastic, probably. 

If they can deflect that kind of attention that would be really great. Neither of them is going to be even slightly interested in giving interviews. 

What kind of 'helping', exactly? Magical? Alex won't be willing to have anyone in his head, but... some kind of calming magic might help, and he might be okay with that. 

Yes, if there was ever a case for "just kill this person"...

When you're not related to someone on the merchant enclave, it's really hard to access portals, so there was no worries on that front. They might have some issue once they start wandering Elsewhere, but losing trail from the reporters should be easy enough. 

There is a range of options and they can pick a calming effect like Adam's but with more durable benefits.

...He'd probably prefer Adam, specifically, actually, though they wouldn't want to force the kid to listen to the report of what happened. A longer term affect like that song will probably make it easier. It'd be better still if they'd let Jamie in the room with him. 

Adam doesn't need to be listening to use his song on someone. Though, there is just so much singing he can do. And Jamie can be in the room, yes.

Hm. Having to take a break when he has to stop would be worse than having a stranger do it, Jamie thinks. They should probably just leave Adam out of it, or have someone on standby to take over when he has to stop.

Stephen can arrange them both and when the day arrives they seen how Alex is feeling about it?

Alex is feeling... not negative, about the idea of having someone on standby to take over when Adam stops, when the day arrives. So long as Adam really won't be hearing any of what he says. No need to spread the nightmares around. 

Adam can put headphones own and sing while reading a magazine. He doesn't even look particularly bothered by the entire thing in general.

(Of course, he is - by design - the Grayward that least knows the details.)

They are very patient with Alex, and take breaks as needed, but the interview goes straightforwardly as this things goes.

Their patience is appreciated.

And, of course, once they have what they came for, the twins retreat back to their room again. 

The next morning, though, anyone passing by the room will find the door open with no sign of the Starrs inside. 

A look around the house will find the two of them downstairs, Jamie doing something at the stove, a bowl to one side of him and a yet-empty plate on the other, and Alex sitting near the window nearby, reading something. 

Franklyn, is the first one they might see when he flies out. But Morgan, only in his boxers and sleep t-shirt. "Morning?" He says mildly surprised by them being there. He starts pulling things to prepare breakfast.

Alex glances up from his book and gives a little wave.

"Morning! I'm making pancakes," Jamie informs him as he flips one over in the pan. "Hope you don't mind?" 

"I don't, but if you are the type to put chips in them put them on a separate pile from plain pancakes. The boys never check."

Gasp, "Someone in this house doesn't like chocolate chips? Terrible." He motions at the batter, "This one's got them, but I'll make some batches without once it's empty." 

"Adam and Topher prefer them on the pancakes, though Topher's excuse is that he likes to control his sweet intake."

"Blasphemy," he declares loftily, swinging the spatula up, "The only proper amount of sugar intake is 'as much as you can get'."

(Alex snorts quietly.)

"Some of us pretend that we are responsible adults."

They prepare breakfast.

Stephen is the first to arrive. "Hey, boys. How was the night?"

He gets a pair of shrugs, "Got some reading done," Alex says, wry. 

"Pancakes?" Jamie offers brightly instead of answering, motioning at the two plates piled high with food. His own plate showcases his previously mentioned philosophy, being a stack of chocolate chip pancakes slathered in syrup, frosted sugar, and more chocolate chips... and banana slices, so there's that at least. 

He accepts a pair of over-sweet pancakes. "Good thing we know how to keep my metabolism in check. But thank you." He pours himself some coffee with cream and starts eating.

"Welcome!" He goes back to eating his own, as well, between sips of tea.