#debukefarmhold

"I didn't say she'd like, but she would understand and support it."

"I wish there was a way to keep all... well, I know one, but think it... were i to go to him, aye, he would leave those I love be. But... but I have chosen not to comply."

"To deny him might be the greatest blow I may strike."

Vasthi puts a hand on her sister's arm "Sister, they would be ever dangled above your head even if he said otherwise. Trust me, I know . I have had more than one Shalimar" A very haunted look

August keeps an arm around Zara unless she objects. "So Earl is going after him? Good."

He still seems a bit suspicious of Vashti.

"Why not come stay at EarthRunes, Zara? I hope you think of it as a home."

"Were I to stay for haven at Earthrunes, there would be a death in 3 days or less, sir" AN exageration, it must be for she is a pooka, and yet

"Do you need sanctuary as well?" He asks Vashti carefully.

"Vashti is safer here. And here, she is shielded from sight, and I may visit without drawing suspicion, for it is here I also study and see my friends."

"I have made an effort to keep my routine... home and here and my Library..."

August nods. "So... it's -Vashti- that's hiding here? At ... the DeBuke's?" He seems to think this is weird.

"What Balor would see her here? What Balor would dare raid this place? Tis best to be hidden, to never be noticed..."

"Earth Runes, no doubt, would protect her - but she would be seen. And in being seen, be at risk."

"And White and black buttrug"

Worried

He nods slowly, agreeing. "Why not ask Shallimar to come here and stay, then?"

A groan from the moth and a hapless look at her sister

He looks back and forth between them. "What?" guilessly.

"as they say around here, it's a good think thou art cute" The moth laments "I should ask the man I lo..like that he should drop his duties, abandon his traditionalist out look, and linger here plucking turnips? Truly, his joy and calling that"

"It would be. And I think Coradel would give permission. And I would advocate for her to do so."

The pooka's dark eyes narrow. her lips purse. "I have dabbled in colors too dark for you to see, sir. Leave the fool be, leave him with the dark and uncaring potrait I have lovingly crafted for him, I dabbed it in evil and cruelty tones."

"Leave him in pain?"

"yes..." A bit of a hiss "for that pain will subside. he will find dozens more, and be ...pleased. I will fade and be as a memory, which is all I deserve"

"No. No, that is not true."

"You deserve love and happiness."

August shakes his head sadly.

"You should send for him, have him here if he'll be protected. Just... don't kidnap him. That can be taken the wrong way."

"I should fly" Vashti said putting her cup down

August, one arm still around Zara, watches Vashti a moment. "Thank you."

"For, ah, for letting me know my friend needed me."

"I see you are familiar with the works of Mrs. Post, sir" She says still rising "Welcome Be."

Zara reaches out to touch Vashti's shoulder. "You will fly. I shall make sure of it."

Vasthi pauses then smiles and touches that hand that touches her shoulder "I already flew thanks to you. I defied him. Neverbefore had I flown until now"

then she slips out "'ll make sure you're not disturbed, well, not anymore than those at any tea party are disturbed. heh" And gone

August turns to Zara. "You sure you're ok?"

She watches the pooka go. A frown. "I worry about her. I wish her to be happy. Her road is much harder than my own..."

"We should send Shallimar here." Firmly. "I won't say anything, but if he'd be safe here...."

"Did you want that tea?"

"I don't know how the two of them would take it. Pooka can be difficult, a'times..."

A sigh. "Tea. Aye."

"You take a seat." He urges, and gets the things. He pours.

She sits, hands making cats-cradles in her lap.

"So.... let me see if I've got this straight. Earl is on a quest to ... neutralize Paler. Vashti is your half-sister by Paler and she's hiding here so Paler can't get or use her. You're here to support her. 'Here' is the DeBuke farm in Iowa, so probably pretty troll-heavy. And your half-sister kidnapped me here so you would have company? She does know I have to go back tonight, right?"

"Well, strike a blow against Paler and his House. Unlikely to stop him altogether..."

"I may get you to the Firnost trod."

"Not right away." August insists gently. "And... not without my clothes?"

"Ah..." BLUSH. "I shall endeavor."

"I'm sorry, was that indelicate?"

"No, no... just... pooka.."