Out into the quiet street! Percy puts his free hand inside the jacket and sips again. He keeps his eyes alert, like someone used to more dangerous streets.

'Chelle's quiet, seeing no need to fill the silence as she sips at her own mug, both hands wrapped around it.

The way she leads them comes to a play park, and 'Chelle heads for the swings - this feels like a well worn ritual.

"Do you want me to push you?" Percy asks, trying to inject humor into his voice.

That gets a warm laugh and a surge of fondness. "Thanks, but not while I'm finishing my hot chocolate," she pushes the chain of the swing next to her. "Have a seat."

Oh, good. He smiles fondly at her while taking his seat.

She hums quietly, using one foot to rock herself on the swing while she sips at her hot chocolate. "I didn't wake you up did I?" she asks after a few moments, not looking at him.

"Not really? Hard to sleep in a new place," around new people.

"Yeah, I hear that..." All of it, apparently, even what he's left unsaid. "Think you're gonna hang around for a while?"

Percy looks at her to gauge her reaction. "I would like to. I am pretty sure your dad would want to too."

She certainly doesn't seem to be against the idea. "Might be nice to have someone who's actually hard to beat at poker around."

Smile. "I promise not to go easy on you." He weighs his options. "It will be interesting, but not easy."

"The best things in life are rarely easy," 'Chelle points out. "But working for them makes them all the more rewarding."

Percy nods. A bit like that's not quite something he understands.

'Chelle smiles. "You're welcome as long as you want to be here. That's not going to change."

"What would that mean... on the long run?"

"Dad feeds you, probably figures out what to do with regards to your education, we spend an afternoon redecorating the guest room so it's less impersonal. It's funny movies on a Saturday night, and poker games, sneaking out to the swings with me in the small hours of the morning. It's knowing that even if you leave, we're just a phonecall away if you need us." She shrugs. "Alternatively: it's whatever you want it to be."

"That sounds great. Much better than what I am used to."

"Then I'm doubly glad you're here now." There's genuine warmth and truth there, and a flash of righteous fury at whoever Percy had been around before.

He ignores the fury, and smiles. "Thank you. ...things weren't bad to me ...so far."

"Well now they get better."

'Chelle smiles, leans down to set her empty mug on the ground and starts swinging herself, humming absently.

Percy finishes his own mug and offers to push her.

"Hey, why not? Lan won't."

Giggle. He starts pushing her.