#anywhere

"It's August. And Octa."

Octa has scrabbled down and away.

"She.... oh. Ah." finding himself spiderless.

Zara opens the door. "She does that, a'times."

"You saw?"

Marzanna nods

"There -is- a direct connection between Guzrela and those two, and on them being here."

"They are ignorant of it, however."

"If Guzrela is the one pulling strings at the Hollows....."

"Which... I suspect, aye."

"They -seem- ignorant of the possibility she might have nepharious plans." he stipulates.

"Certainly, she has arranged to appear harmless."

"But how does this lend her power when even the sidhe knnights in he hold do not respect her?" Marzanna says "Something is amiss"

"Aye." Frown.

"Do you think we need to go to the Hollows to learn more?" he asks quietly and without a great deal of enthusiasm.

"Well.. with the hair, I will have a stronger anchor to soothsay."

"And I had already planned to go home for passover..."

"I suppose I best return now to see if I can make that aquisition" Marzanna suggests in a whipser

"My thanks and my blessing, cuz."

She inclines her head and rises "And to you in return" Marzana replies, then bows to the Baron "Baron August, a pleasure. I depart."

A deep bow to Marzanna... and, oh, a tupperware! "Some petit fours."

"How charming!" She exults

"Miss Marzana, please.... that is, ah, I would feel .... very guilty if anything amiss were to happen to you in this effort."

"If aught happens, cousin, my vengeance shall be harsh."

"Baron, sluagh face as many dangers as any troll or sidhe, it's just of a different sort. While I do hope to live to be a proper hag, it is hardly written in the stars that my life will be long and crooked one. You need feel no guilt for my actions or the other actions of others upon me." A nod to Zara "Of this I have no doubt, cousin."

And, prize in hand, she slips out

He sighs.

"August?"

"Oh, nothing." a game smile "I still struggle to express myself."

"Miss Marzanna is more.. ah.. typical of the kith than I. I fear I am dreadfully extroverted..."

"-Delightfully.-" he insists.

That earns a pleased little smile. "Oh, my kind friend."

August smiles back, a true smile.

"So... ah, what do you think about this Guzrela?"

"Well, I am somewhat relieved she is a nocker... my first concern was that Balor countess. Guzrela appears to be common..."

"She -appears- to be easy-going." August points out.

"Appears. Because of enchantment. The letter stinks of magic."

August nods. "Do you think it's possible she -appears- to be a nocker? And common?"

"...point."

"Thank you." almost shyly.

Then he sighs. "I suppose there's not much to be done but wait?"

"For now? Likely."

He nods.

"Ah, Zara....."

"August?"

"I wanted to thank you. For your help, at the duel."

Pink. "Ah, I did not do anything? You have grown in skill."

August smiles, and even chuckles. "I'm not -that- good. But... I understand."

"What? You did that. Magic would have been against the rules..."

"I... admit, Coradel's prohibition concerned me. You cast your spells before that?"