Birch's eyes followed Jacopo's (muscular) back as he stormed down the hall; no doubt to separate Thoth and Cypress. She felt a tiny pang of guilt - wasn't she supposed to be helpful to him in these sorts of situations? - but the little frown on her face had far less to do with that and far more to do with the interruption. Should she wait? What would they be doing, right that second, if not for Alder? Alder! Thoughts returning to the present, Birch pulled her gaze back to her son, who was studying her through narrowed, sparkling eyes. Birch blushed guiltily, glad Neri had bounced back into the party.

"Just for the record, I think y'all are cute as hell," Alder offered helpfully, with what some might call a shit-eating grin.

"Well thanks for your approval," Birch snorted, rolling her eyes a little at her son's obvious teasing. Then her face grew serious, eyes concerned, and she put her hand on his arm. "Please-"

Alder's mischievous expression faded to something more genuine, putting his hand over hers and giving it an encouraging squeeze. "Don't worry, mom. Despite how it may seem, I do know how to keep my mouth shut when I should."

"Thank you. I mean..." Birch wet her lips, looking back towards the hallway. "We wouldn't keep it from you all, not really, but it's just..."

"New, and old, and that makes it confusing," Alder filled in helpfully, smiling gently. "You'll figure it out together and once you do then you can figure out the rest with us, right?"

"You won't feel... about your dad..."

Alder blew out a breath, nodding in understanding. "Dad will always be my dad, and there won't be a day that I don't miss him. We were so lucky to have him for the time we did. But he's gone, mom, and he has been for years. The wound isn't as fresh as you're worried it is - our hearts have room enough for them both. And honestly, Jacopo's the best step-dad we could ask for."

"I know you love him," Birch managed to squeeze out. Her son grinned, giving into the impulse to give her a quick hug.

"And we love you. So why would we be upset that you love each other?"

"But Cy..."

"Oof, yeah," Alder said, as if he'd only just remembered his twin's existence; he visibly winced, patting his mom's shoulder. "Good luck with that one."

"How helpful," Birch muttered wryly. At least he was honest, she supposed.

"Welp, my job here is done so it's back to the party for me. Just if you were wondering, I don't think anyone would notice if you went upstairs. And if you just happened to end up in the wrong room, I mean, who could blame you? This place feels like a fuckin' maze sometimes."

"Alder!" Birch choked out in dismay. Alder cackled, winked, and disappeared back through the swinging doors, leaving his mother blushing furiously, alone in the hallway.

Kid had a point, though. Birch gnawed at her lower lip for a second, considering. Then she dashed up the stairs before she could talk herself out of it. She wouldn't enter his room, she told herself, she would just... loiter outside of it. Just a little. She'd just turned down the hall towards his door when she felt it, that familiar, uncomfortable tug around her midsection. Not again! Not now!

Birch stumbled a little as she "landed". Her warrior's mind went to work immediately, consumed by a few clear thoughts: she had to stay safe, and she had to get home. Sooner rather than later. What would the kids think? What would Jacopo think? She could be a coward, especially when it came to romance, but to run away because of a kiss?

Spotting the gear, Birch moved over to get a better look. There were two clear sets, and the backpacks looked full. She reached for the olive green one just as someone appeared at her side. Birch blinked up at Jacopo owlishly. Well, that changed some things, didn't it? She unstuck her tongue from the roof of her mouth to nibble her lower lip again.

She gave a little shrug and a small smile at his question. "Shaman," she answered, as if it answered everything. Probably because, in her experience, a great many things could be succinctly summed up with that single word.

"Let's see what we've got," she said, choosing not to dwell too much on the why. Birch tugged at the backpack, pulling it free of the tree, and crouched down next to it to study the contents. "I've got clothes, a sleeping bag, and some basic supplies. Could be worse, I guess. How about you?"