Shock ran over Piper's face. "A green swirling snake...I've never heard of anything like that. Did any of you find anything out while you...neglected to tell us about this?" Piper smiled when Pallie apologized. "Oh, honey, don't worry. I know that you kids think that you can handle things on your own, and," she conceded, "you probably can."
Piper turned to Chris now so that she could address his comment. "Yes, Chris," she started calmly, keeping her cool. "We trust that you can take care of things, but not alone. We love you, but you can't hide things like that from us...not anymore. Things have been happening that have caused us to become very concerned. So what you're going to do," Piper was going to let him think he had a choice from now on, "is report everything you find when you go somewhere. I am your mother, and only wish to help you, but until you can go somewhere and tell us everything you find, someone will accompany you." Piper paused for a moment. "Someone that will actually report to us what's found, whether you do or not." She put up her hand before he could even think to respond. "No arguments. It's final, and" she started once more, "no, no one is blaming you for any of this."