#earthrunes

"It does explain a lot" He says

She crosses over to retrieve the mug, giving Miriam a peck on the cheek. "I'll get you a new one, Mom"

"Feh." She squints up at Earl. "Where'd you come from?"

"You were working. You didn't notice."

"Bah." She crumples up the papers. "Nevermind. Stupid idea."

"A farm" He mutters

A soft sound, distressed, and she darts to rescue the papers.

Earl assists

"It's drek! Leave it!" She flaps at them.

Zara backs away, holding tight and shaking her head. "Is not."

Miriam rolls her eyes. "It -is.- How would you know?"

"Because you made it."

"I make a -lot- of total crap, kiddo." She picks up the mug abandoned in the rescue attempt.

Earl looks to Zara, "May I take a look?"

She hesitates, looking at Miriam for permission.

Another huffing eye-roll. "Peeping fkin' tom, that one. Fine, whatever. Not like you'll understand it anyway."

She falters. "Sorry, Miriam."

"Probably not," he admits, but looks anyway

Earl looks at the thing, "Emergency Hydration reserves?"

"Gotta have the wawa." She smirks.

"Well, it's over my head, and I'm pretty tall." Embarrassed

"I'd go with you."

"I would."

Earl smiles again, admiring Zara

Miriam blinks at Zara. "What? Me go? There? No freakin' way, kiddo." She snorts and takes a drink. "Gah."

"There's still pencil in the coffee."

"And why not? Aren't you going on adventures now?"

She glances at Earl, shrugs. Puts down the mug. "Kiddo, you got a great set-up here. You gonna stay?"

"Well..."

Earl gives Zara a supportive squeeze. Whateveer she decides

"I won't swear fealty here. And, I don't know... I want to do something amazing, right? before I settle down."

"There's only so much hydra redirecting, stranger liberating, seeking out mystic lore one can do before one craves a challenge" Earl says straight faced in deadpan troll delivery. Nodding at what Zara said

Miriam thumps the mug back on the table and leans forward, giving Zara dead-eye. "Something amazing?"

"Ya think maybe getting me outta that shithole was amazing?"

"Oh, that was mostly Hirim and Earl... I didn't..."

"Ya DID." Emphasis. "Ya damn well DID."

"I couldn't leave you there! You're my mother!"

"I'm with Miriam, you were amazing. "

"Hannah's your mother, and damn grateful I am, an' you should be too."

Angry... but, nocker-angry.

"Dunno. Fine. Maybe I'm not amazing, so getting me out an' all you did ain't amazin'. Whatever."

Flustered. "You're amazing. And you're my mother, too."

"I love you."

"She always like this?" Exasperated, to Earl.

"Full of love? Yes." He says "She's always been like this. How much of her mother you feel, or don't feel you are, you are in some part, and whether you feel you deserve it or not, I know you're proud of her. Make sure she knows it too."

Miriam crosses her arms across her chest. "Dunno how often or how many ways I gotta say it." she grouches.

"For Zara? A lot. It's always worth it though, she's a water lily, and love is her drink. Give her plenty, and she'll shine under the moon like you wouldn't believe." he says not caring if it sounds silly

Zara flushes pink.

Miriam regards Earl, blinking. "Aw Jeeze." She sighs. "Great. Artist -an'- poet? An' sap." She shakes her head. "The two-a you are made for each furkin' other. God help ya."

"is...that an...official blessing?" Earl asks, despite his own blush