#debukefarmhold

"I haven't struck -anyone-!"

"Not you, August."

"Him."

Vashti nods and takes a breath "I saved him from becoming a butt rug. I know I did."

"Him?" He blinks "Oh. Paler."

Her sister calming

Vashti gets a different kind of look.

"So... you two talk...there's tea on the shelf , kept lightly heated, and another chair here, sans cord. I will give you time to indulge in converse. " A look to both as she starts to withdraw "And will put him back where I found him later so he is not seen"

"Ok. Hang on."

"This pooka is your sister. By ..... by Paler. And she kidnapped me and brought me here... because you were lonely? Where -is- Earl? And... wait, are you saying Paler is trying to hurt Shallimar?"

"Paler hurt Earl, hurt Mama... killed his own son... aye, he would hurt Shalimar if he thought it would cause Vashti to grieve."

Vashti turns her head. It is the mention of shallimar that seems to throw her off the most, as if the name renews her fears.

"So -you- hurt him instead?" Baffled.

"... She is my sister, aye."

"She pushed him away. To keep him safe. Think you, truly, August, that it does not hurt her?"

"Or it does not hurt to be a prisoner, even if the prison be a garden?"

"I think we're all stronger when supported by those we love and who love us."

"I shielded him the only way I could, Son of Summer. My father cares not for some fling I passed off...but a love? a friend? Oh yes... Paler would show such a one whole knew chords to scream in, he would make a symphony of my shallimor's pain."

Her chin lifts to a stubborn angle. "And she is so trapped because she sought to keep me from him."

"Twas you who loaned me the cup of courage, sister. I was long out on my own" Vashti reminds

"Aye, August... but you judge her too harshly. I.... I hope when this is resolved, there may be mending..."

"When they return, mayhaps..."

"When who returns from what? Where did Earl go?"

Vasthi is starting to slip out the door to leave the two alone

"Vashti, wait." He looks down at himself again. "Did you, ah, put this on me?"

"Vashti, stay. Have tea?"

"I... truth, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Twas a sweet gesture. And he is very handsome in this outfit. August... I hope you are no longer distressed? Please, stay a while?"

Vashti stops then a twitch of amusement over her stirred fears "The bringing thee here was a most grave and serious matter, the clothing change slightly less so. Thou shalt get thy non mesh undergarments back when I return you" then a look to her sister "For your sake, but I truly meant for you to have companionshp you were missing while you endured a wait."

"And you brought me my dearest friend. I wish I could so return the favor..."

"I... " August seems well and truly nonplussed. "Zara, if you wanted me to come visit, you know you only had to say." He touches her cheek.

"It.. is not easy for me to reach out, August..."

"Men" Vashti says as if that explains everything wrong with what August said

A soft smile at Vashti.

He frowns with concern. "But it's me." As if that explains it.

"Sir, the closer a man is to an open heart, be it paramour or friend, the more dangerous an oaf he might be. "

"I... I may not have realized I wished company, myself. Or thought to ask..."

"Dorothy could surrender only so many times" Vashti observes

August hugs her gently. "Ok, well.... I'm, ah, here now and... not much point in trying to get back to classes today, I guess."

He looks down at Zara. "-Where- is Earl?"

She tenses, looking away. "On quest."

"What's wrong?" Gently.

"I cannot watch him, the distance is too great. But the blessing was true. A good casting."

Vasthi gets a third cup, pouring one for each

"I've rarely seen a quake of such magnitude" Vashti agrees

August nods. "You wish you could be with him. I understand." A deep breath. "I do."

"Aye. We wish we could all be free, to live and love and go as we please... but..."

August shakes his head. "I've asked you to let me do this for you.... wait, is that what Earl's doing? Is he engaging with Paler?"

"Sir August, you may not rush off to rescue. We have not asked thy lady for that level of indulgance or if you have had your shots" Vasthi gives Zara a glance "Coradel does not have him properly trained after all this time?"

"If Coradel knew about him, she would support facing him." He says surely.

"Aye, and then she would happily stay home and knit as all warrior women do, and then there would be war on a scale leading her away from her hold allowing the court of shadows to admire her art gallery"