#debukefarmhold

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August isn't sure where he is, or what he's doing here. He was not at Earth runes before, and he's not at Earth Runes now. He's blindfolded and there's a gag. But every now and then he can hear the rustle of wings, not feathered wings, he knows that sound.

Zara might see Vashti poke her head out of a small cabin door and wave towards her.

In a 'come hither sister' motion

As awareness returns, he startles and tests his hands/feed; is he bound? To something, or just himself?

A chair. Well, since his education with the Fiona, he knows bondage better (don't ask) and this is for restraint, not happy fun time (Don't ask, please). The ropes are not meant to hurt, but they're not for play.

He struggles briefly, testing.... nope.

Then a voice "Oh bother, the one time I am snubbed" A sigh, a closing door, and approaching figure, and someone says "Thou art very pretty as all students are but fear not, i would not have my way with you... nod if you will keep thy voice down gentle as a lamb? "

August nods.

and the gag is removed, but not the blindfold, "Thou art completely safe" the voice assures him then a mutter "Save perhaps for the noble devouring behemoths" Then speaks up again "I am sorry, the number you have reached is temporarily out of earshot. Please wait patiently and I shall try again." the voice is surprisingly genteel, courtly training of some sort? It is soft, but not sluagh soft. And yes, there's that wing flutter sound now and then.

He licks his lips. "Why have you done this?" Quietly, as calmly as he can.

"bzzzt bzzt bzzt" the voice answers, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Water." He asks.

Something pokes his lips and... a straw? Yes , a straw so he doesn't have to use his hands. Water. Might be ice in it as it is cool water at that "Slowly, slowly. Now, thou hast a reputation, sir scribbler, for thy assertive and aggressive nature and yet there are those who call thee 'chum'. As they are not sharks, I must translate as best I may. "

He frowns, confusion written on what's visible of his face.

"Meloth, thou art the friend of one zara miriam habbershat schwartzenfarb are thee not?"

"Zara?" He's instantly on alert, and yanks at his arms. "Yes."

The ropes hold "August, be not rude. I worked hard on those. Now, if you'll stay behaved" The water is taken away so it doesn't get dropped now that he's had a drink "I'll explain in such simple terms a child could write a thesis about it."

August makes himself hold still, but it's clear that he's ready to fight.

"thou has bzzt bzzt bzzted when others have duties and tasks and oh romps that could get them slain. Insistently persistent, and restraint resistant" she twangs a rope, "Thou are as constant as the northern star with no dimmer switch. One thou would succor might indeed enjoy they company in these trying times, but she is at haven and as much here to console me as she is to wring doom out of tea leaves. She tied me up you see, and all I did was tether her... sibling games. Ah, but oh no I said too much. I thought to myself, self I thought, this young man is of some fondness to her, she perhaps wants him on a bench. SO.. at great risk, I did arrange for your staycation here in rural climes despite the cannibals. Alas, she who I wanted to give a surprise for is deep in consultation, as we all know genteel ladies do not need to use the privy. Comprehend? "

"No. Release me, now. Where is Zara, what is your interest in her?"

"And you an educated elf," A fuss "Mine interest, sirrah is in her joy only. God's wounds, if she told me she wanted a harem I'd have you, the artist and a handful of other strapping lads bound to chairs in a circle each dressed to discuss the books of her liking over tea..." Wait, August may realize...he can't see, but something does feel odd about these clothes "And let the scandal fly as she enjoyed readings from numerous fellows. Understand this, thou art of worth to me only because of her own investment. And lower thy voice, we are in the domain of creatures that would as soon as eat thee as suffer thee...no friends to titled ones...if they learn you are here without the Witch of the Rivers to vouch? Well, thou might live, but thy might also find thyself in a pit of lye and them whistling. Now, let us be polite to each other and make grand chatter mmm?" A warm tone now "How'd you two kids meet?"

((How much wiggle room does he have? Fingers, toes, hands?))

(Fingers seem laced, toes are in new shoes. Hands have some wrist movement)

August sets his jaw, pulse racing in his throat, thoughts racing behind his blindfold.

"Ok. Fine."

"Ah, here, a sign of trust" The blind fold is lifted. He's in...some kind of rural shack, facing a wall

And his captor is behind him.

But he can see

He turns his head, trying to catch a glimpse of his captor.... either that, or relieving a really bad stiff neck.

There's a white powdery wing in his vision

"Bet you shake presents before yule" observes whoever is behind him.

"Wait... are you a pooka?"

"Maybe."

"How... how did you get me here? Where am I?"

"Easily and in a chair- now please, such detail is exhausting" A fuss "How did you and Zara meet?"

"School. We went to high school together."

"She does love to learn does she not?"

"It sounds like you know her well." He glances down at himself, still looking for orientation. "Is this a prank, then?"

He's wearing new clothes, nice voile, very Edwardian

"That's all we pooka ever do is prank, sir. We don't look out for our loved ones, we don't cry when lonely, and we do what our fathers tell us always because we love them so." A sigh "Really, can one not have a polite conversation with a hostage without it turning into a getaway attempt? Tis tedious. So you met at school, and not Alabastar Hollow? Is that your final answer, because if you're going to try to hide things and yet eke information out of me, my feelings will be hurt"

"We met -during- high school. And yes, we both know Alabaster Hollow."

"thank thee sir, a moment" A door opens, but it's to his side, if he cranes his neck he might see a ..where are they? Flatish...rural...

He stretches, straining....

"Shhush, they mustn't see you" She covers his eyes with a blindfold again "Good, you're invisible again." Then a voice "oooo zzaaaarraa?"

A soft growl, perhaps surprising, and he struggles blindly. "ZARA! RUN!"

"Shhh. So loud, art thou sure yo're not baptist?"

Zara can see Vashti peeking out of a cabin door, there is someone behind her in a chair hard to see who

Zara is distracted on her way from the... well.. from personal sojourns.. by shouting. A frown and she diverts to the shed.

"Vashti? Sister, I swear I heard..."