#debukefarmhold

Her sister gives her a soft hug at this, presumptive. Few dare hug a sluagh unasked, but it is brief, and with affection

"And it is stupid to think... what? That I could be her child? I'm too old. I'm almost eighteen."

"And yet, she plays a cruel game... telling Everest and Jarl, at different times, how she wants thee. Oh how cunningly she pretended to get drunk and tell how she is to blame. Diabolical."

Zara pulls back into the crevice, frowning. "Nay..."

"Words, mayhaps, but..."

"I have seen her face, seen the hurt."

"Diagnosis of the symptoms does not always tell thee the cause, doctor" She says "Her hurt is like unto none experienced in a thousand years, but it is the guilt of the liver, and not the spurning of the left ventricle that ails her. "

She squirms out of sight, sighing.

"I have told thee the truth instead of what you wanted to hear, tis the curse of we trolls" She says looking a bit forlorn but she does not send her light after her sister, merely her voice. "Thou does not believe me ?"

"I... I know not. I should be better. I should not feel this way."

"I should be patient and happy for she is here, for now, and I... I know not how I feel, it's... too many things, and I cannot stop any of them or put them away... tis... I am buffeted by waves."

"Huh, and I should not pine for an overly clever cad in silver and white... so naturaly I close off that longing. When Instead I should rejoice that my plan? Perfectly as I intended. It is like a tap tap tapping I cannot close ear too."

Sympathy "We are creatures of heart and dream, sister, not spock's rigid god."

"And why should we not NOT want it all? More family, more books? More knowledge? Those who would sneer at agluttony have not the stomach to appreciate the vice says I.."

"You should have him..."

"He misses thee."

"Delight and distress, I am above both to hear it. " She sighs and "And thou thinkest THOU are mixed up? I want nothing more than his happiness in another woman's arms, and I hate with a vile jealous anything resembling it."

Harrumph. "He wants thee."

"Memories are mist and mist is memory... one blow from some harlot and his memory will scatter like clouds before a wind... a trampish whorish wind"

And yet she does not sound sure

"Vashti... I know, it is fearful. When Earl was taken, aye... it... but we could arrange a tryst, nu? Hold on to what happiness there may be."

"You are a genie you know?" She says gently "you try to grant everyone's wishes but thy own. And aye, thy Earl is an odd duck... a swan under goose feet. he makes thee happy, and thus, he breathes. But my SHal has no fortress of grains. And even were he welcome, should we see each other at harvest then he in danger?"

"He is in danger whether you see him or no."

A wince

"Nay, I spurned him...threw him out a window, I made a scene and won initiative"

"Aye. And yet."

"Why should both suffer, if suffering does not alleviate the threat?"

a rather inelegant mutter mumble

Then finally "if I do not give up on my black and white pillow, will thou not give up on having Miriam in thy life?"

She pokes her head out. "I... It..."

"That seems fair..."

"Though I... I fear she would... I fear much, sister. I am shamed of it."

"Well, only the Fiona have know fear tis said, and they're...shall we say their bulb knows not Watt?"

A soft chuff, an almost laugh. "Aye."

"Still, sister - we may conspire. I can conceal thee, and Emmit may ward thee, so no secret eyes can latch upon thy doings - an invisible thread in da'an's web to all outside..."

"And I can tell then when Miriam is the knobhead, not thee"

A sigh. "I cannot face her yet. I know the boy needs her. And... he charms, aye? But it... it hurts."

"May I stay here a while?"

"Tis thy manor house... should I go?" A tilt of her head

"You may stay, if it pleases."

"thank you" and she takes a seat and goes quiet. She appreciates silence as few pooka do. Sometimes, it is good to hold still, moving your wings or at all, only a little. Sometimes silence is not a void, rather it fills it.

In the silence, Zara eventually emerges... sitting next to her sister, resting a pale head on her shoulder if allowed.

Of course it is. Though Zara may find her hair braided, nothing silly either. French braid perhaps.

Allowed, of course - companionable, soothing, silence and friendship.

(End scene)

A soft snoring outside the grotto

As always, curiosity draws out the sluagh

Earl has spent the night in a camo sleeping bag outside of the hole.. actually he's pretty well hidden, using his gifts of color to obsure things further. But the sleeping in the still chill air could lead to a cold.

She tuts softly and tucks him in. A cool hand caresses his cheek and brushes back one blonde curl.

His eye opens "mmzzara?"