Jenai had invited Storm out for some brunchish coffee and ...whatever people have for brunch... at one of the local little places. Since it was winter of course eating outside was out of the question. Instead Jen had chosen a little booth near the window but still off to the side where they could people watch. She'd just been happy to have a day off to enjoy a little golden silence time before the rest of the town woke up.
Even as Storm wandered with Jen, she had to admit it had been a long time since they could both just get out and relax. It was Jenai?s voice that broke the silence first.

?Still waking up?" she said as she looked from stirring her own cup of coffee to Storm.

It was her first cup just in the cafe, she normally got them to go or didn't care about the cream and sugar. She'd usually just take it how ever. But something about sitting at a frosted pane and watching the spiral of white slowly twist the deepest of brown had a little uplifting... and yet relaxing... effect. She?d never tell anyone that it really reminded her of t her first winter where she and Brian would hide in their little studio above the cake shop and simply watch the world pass by as they sipped coffee cuddled together.

But today she'd given most of the CoS orders to take the weekend for themselves. The city was much different than the Valley, where things always seemed some tasking. But here... well not so much. Now that the holidays were over, it was time to relax just a bit. She was sure there would be stuff to do soon enough. They might as well enjoy some down time.

Storm was just glad things were caught up for the moment. "You know it. I'm not even remotely human until I can get my coffee." She half-joked as she nursed that big cup. "I think the guys were just glad to hibernate a few hours extra. Batteries were in need of recharge at this rate. Even the Sidhe was face down when I left."

Jenai chuckled at the mental images i that flashed in her head. "Well, it does seem like a never ending to do list until the new year. You would think people would do everything at the first of the year to relax right? But, crops, holidays, etc... we are rushing about like ants at a sugar spill." She put her stirring spoon down and gave a tiny sigh.

"So much to do, so little time. Even when you space it out." Storm said as she stretched, "As long as there are no emergencies." She knocked on the wooden table just to add to the point Jenai appreciated the good luck knock. "Well now we just need to figure out what to do with our new year."
?Agreed. Got any ideas?"
"This IFL will be done soon so that's that. And not an all of us thing... we've got the new weapons and armor already tested out and more is on the way for back up... Even those that needed our help before have been dead silent."
"Then we shore ourselves up and stick with yourselves and the ones that haven't decided to turn their backs." Storm was quick to point out how they felt about a few alliances gone cold. Jen nodded as she searched for the right word or phrase.
"Maybe dead silent is the wrong term." The they that they spoke of were far from dead. Just... that quiet. "No one's really turned their backs on us. Just their problems weren't that big in the first place. And shoring yourself up causes extinction. So nah.? She thoughtfully laid her spoon down and picked up her cup. "Either that or their problem got bored waiting on them to show up." she snickered into her cup as she took a long drink.

The thought did amuse her. It was something several of them had brought up a few times and had mixed feelings about. Of course they wanted to help their allies, and would listen, but cry wolf enough times and not produce a wolf and anyone will start to think you are not just crazy but maybe an attention monger.

One of the waitresses had come and gone leaving their food on the table and fresh fill of their cups. The two just let the sounds of the cafe wash over them and clear the nighttime cobwebs from their minds.

"I was thinking about having a few go out and scout out other areas for training perhaps?? She set her cup down and looked back to the rather thin crowd on the streets. ? Not just like in the field. Only so much happens now in open areas. Training like that will leave us complacent and ill-prepared." Jenai brought up. She liked to run most of her ideas by the brigade leaders which included Storm, Gria and Jonathan. That was something else she was going to bring up soon as well. That long over due structure would need to be made public. But soon enough. Another day, just not today.
"Might be worth the trip." Storm grinned. "we can get a few areas rigged. Play mouse hunt on the Fox." Jen of course nodded knowing Storm was already thinking about it.
"Think you can come up with some names to maybe take on some long range scouting? See if they can locate maybe even an abandoned town or... hell even a villa? Something with more than two structures as well?"
"I think so. Maybe see if someone has an area we can play in for such activities."
"If it can be destroyed at a later date. Just in-case a certain someone we know gets a little trigger happy. I would rather wait a few before we get that destructive, but you know how he gets."
"True, true. Is why I keep up a firing range aside from my own tendencies."

Jenai thought for a moment, "The valley is fine, and outside it is fine. It's really starting to become it's own place and standing well on its own two feet. But, I wonder if we are going to become eventually un..." she paused trying to think of just the right word. "Not unwelcome. But something. It's been a few years now and the families are growing. Ah, I know, not something to worry about really."

Gria had reminded Jenai of that a few times, that it would take multiple generations to really make them forget.

"But, either way... I'd love you to get a list of names for the scouting."
"No, not unwelcomed as much as... well part of the village." Storm replied as she figured many of the troops might just integrate too, set down roots.
"There is that too." Jen knew there were plenty of troops with family or family that joined.
"But, either way... I'd love you to get a list of names for the scouting."
"Will do. And things will work out as they are meant to." Storm wasn't worrying about it personally and casually changed the subject.

"Kids are doing well?"
"Doing great, and by the way, you know how much they love their gifts. You spoil us all. You know that right?" Storm was good at that. She always knew the right point to pull Jenai away from toiling over a worry too long without Jen really noticing.
"Ditto. But then you guys are family."
"Well maybe we will have to kidnap family, aka you, when the girls make us go on a family vacation this year. Now that Dominick is old enough... I think a trip to the cabin would be a great idea for all of us. Get away from the whole area a few weeks. The girls would love to have you, you know."
"I would love that. The girl like it when Aunt Storm takes them adventuring." About the easiest way to keep them out of trouble was exploring.? Storm and Jenai smiled looking forward to it already.

Thanks Storm for the very early morning rp and putting up with all the typos!