#earthrunes

"Yes!" This is obvious.

"So I just need to convince him..."

".... and he can convince her...."

"Maybe if I tell him mama was secretly hoping but was afraid to ask..."

He grins. "I bet that would work! I like your father, but he seems very introspective sometimes. I think maybe he misses things."

"Papa does live a little bit in his head." She nods. "But he loves Mama more than anything else in the world."

"Except maybe you." With a fond smile.

She sticks her tongue out at him. It's black.

He laughs softly and sticks his own pink tongue out at her.

A soft rasp of not-laughter.

"Well, it's true." He insists.

"Well, I love Papa dearly, too. He's all the father I require"

"Though you could likely make an argument about the Uncles. I have a lot of parents."

A pause. She looks at the sidhe. "Do you think the satyr could be one of his? Like Golnaz?"

"Could be? Anything is possible. If so, he's a real danger. Just like her." A pause. "Has she been troubling you?"

"Mmm, not for a while. I saw her on Beltane, briefly, but it seems my happiness infuriated her. So I danced."

"In -Mexico-??"

She nods.

A frown. "Was she there... well, eshu. Where and when they need to be."

"Exactly. I believe she was genuinely surprised by my presence."

"And Westward did not take kindly to a Balor in her hold, so..."

"Westward?"

"Jessica King?"

" oh! Of course. I have not met her, but I've heard good things about her. Very impressive."

She nods. "I met her when she was at Firnost, before she became a freeholder."

"Still. Golnaz at the holiday, and a few days later this lawnboy at home..."

" it doesn't seem coincidental." August agrees.

She wrinkles her nose. "I should likely check on him."

August frowns with concern." Is that wise? I mean yes, more information is good. But would draw attention to you?"

She twists a lock of hair between her fingertips. "He... sensed me scrying, before."

" Zara!"

"...And looked back. I hid, but..."

She rubs the back of her neck. "Earl thinks he used sovereign on me."

" from a distance? Through a scrying?" August is alarmed.

She nods. "He was... glorious, aye. A dark and pale star, both at once.."

" Zara..." worried. "... if he is that powerful, you need equally powerful protection."

She rubs her wrist. "I had some, but lost it..."

"When Golnaz took Earl... it was worth it, absolutely."

" is he doing okay after that?" August's care and concern are visible.

She nods. "Some scars... but... aye."

" I am sure you take good care of him." Fond teasing.

She turns a vivid pink. "Well. I do make a fine matzah ball soup."

"And you know, sometimes, the black-and-white cookies are mine, not mama's."

" you are a very good cook. Earl is lucky."

"Maybe you could teach Cora? Do it together?"

"Or learn together, mayhaps."

He grins shyly. "We, ahh.. we are. Kind of. She comes to the house in KC in Wednesday nights. We make dinner and I usually study and we put a movie in.... I guess it sounds lame but.... I really enjoy it."

"No, it sounds nice."

"Balanced, actually. My favorite time with Earl is when he's painting. I watch him, or do homework. It's quiet, but... nice."

August nods, in perfect agreement.