#anywhere

**************************
*bzzt* Earl? August. Give me a call when you have a chance, or can we meet? Not urgent; take care of Zara.
**************************

Bzzt Okay.

phone call (whenever) "Hey, August"

"Hey. Ah. Listen, I was hoping we could talk a bit. I have a question."

"You mean in person? Sure I can cheat. Where?"

"I'm at the house in KC...."

"Okay." A moment then ""I'm at your door"

The door opens after just a few moment. "Hey. Come on in." He seats them in the kitchen. "Water, or iced tea, or something?"

"Ice tea? Oh sure, I'll be a rebel behind my girlfriend's back"

He nods and gets them both a glass before seating himself. "Earl.... I think I remember some talk about you having taken an Oath."

A look to the sides, then "Yes, more than one to be honest. Why?"

"Well. I'd the impression also that you, ah, you're not really... that is, your family, too... not really.... traditional."

He takes the glass and sips "What made you realize it? The creepy art, the love a sluagh woman, the fact I find sports a waste of time, or my love of musical numbers outside of Oklahoma and the Music Man?"

"I don't know." Honestly. "Somehow along the way I had this... feeling... that not just you but your whole family... well, you've said, you know, that you keep your resources to your own. Instead of being part of the system, you're apart from the system."

"And yet I still protect the system" Earl says "The farm isn't home for me, but is where my back slapping yee hawing noble distrusting family is, and when they call, I'm there to help. And sometimes I help them when they don't caLl. I must be a glutton for punishment"

August nods. "My House is a bit like that, I think. We aren't accepted by other Houses, or much welcome... but we are there when called."

"You guys do good work, and speaking as someone who is artist, the fact you look after dreamers, some of which are my mortal peers; well, I'm grateful. Honestly, I would think by now that whole Oathbroken bit should be offficially lifted by the High King. You guys have busted your humps to keep glamour going in hard times. Even those who don't like mortals have benefited whether they want to admit it or not"

"Thank you for that assessment, Earl. Sir Franklyn at Rivervale is a fine example of both troll and Liam, I think. I respect him a great deal."

"He intimidates me a bit... both serene but with an intensity. I mean, I know Uncle Emmit is the better sorcerer, but Clem told me stories of him in the Dreaming... apparently he can wrestle like no tomorrow and if 'off the chain' gets scary. But he's a good man, yes. I won't say much against anyone of Rivervale. They're good folk, and I think it's good my family got to meet them, if only to have it slowly seep into their head that a noble title doesn't automaticaly mean an ignoble soul. Heck, most of my family doesn't know I'm a knight."

"Have you ever considered a House?" Quietly.

"I've been obsessing over it, I mean, the one we're renting has really raised the bar, Queen Anne Victorians are not common, but I know if Zara and I make it work, she's going to want one to own in the future..." He shakes his head "Making it lavender and dark won't be a problem, but affording it a nd finding one in Scarsdale, because I'm pretty sure even though I can flicker flash she's going to want to be near family... well that's going to be hard. But we'll make it work, and for now, college right?"

August clears his throat, and grins. "I meant, affiliating yourself with a Noble House."

Earl gapes at him for a moment.

He seems utterly serious.

"Oh wow, you're serious." He says "I... no. NOt really. I mean, sometimes I think that if Zara were pro noble she'd be one scary Eiluned. But then I think of her risking a double dose of curiosity and I get the shakes. But me? No, never even came to my mind that I recall"

A flicker of concern at the mention of the House of Secrets, but then he nods. "And now? I mean, that it's come to your mind."

"Honestly? I'm not sure I could. I don['t mean like 'all houses are horrible'. I know better, some do a lot of great things and like any group might have a few jerks. Heck ,the FARM has some jerks. Now Balor can go right to the nearest nightmare hell and spin, and Varich not far behind ...freaking goosesteppers. But..." A consideration "No, I've met too many good Gwydions to discount them all, and too many fine fiona to just laugh them off... and of course, you're one of my friends and have always done your House proud, but even if I wanted to, I'm not sure I could... at least, I don't think they'd want me. I have other obligations, those oaths"

"Your current Oaths would conflict." He says it as a statement but there's room to make it a question.

"I believe they would." He says "Da'an forgive, but I have made oaths wtihout the subjects of them fully knowing. A conflict , eventually, might arise, and I'd be caught in the middle and of no use to either. It's not fair to those I've sworn to, even if they don't know, and not fair to ... any noble House"

August nods. "I understand."

"I am flattered if you were thinking of inviting me to join House Liam. IT's a good House, more walk than talk. I respect a lot about it."

"Thank you." respectfully. "And thank you for your friendship."

"Anytime" He says "Now, how are you doing?"

And they talk abit more ..enjoying the iced tea, which is quite good because calling it tea feels like he's getting away with some taboo

(End scene)