#earthrunes

"Zara, are you oh..... Karen."

"Yeah, 'Oh...Karen'" Amused by something

He's distracted by the differing ladies.

"We met before, but you were in a state." She pushes buttons, lifting the bed.

"Zara?" he reaches to touch her, hold her hand.

"Oh yes..pardon.. I.. forgive me, Zara, are you ill? you look a bit pale and...sickly?" She's not used to sluagh

"She looks fine." He says, a bit dazedly. "Karen?" Still trying to figure it out.

"Yes, August. Zara." Once he's propped, she takes his hand.

He holds it.

"I am always thus. Sluagh are nightmares. Dreams of decay and death."

Zara says so, being held with the firm attention and focus of this summer lord.

"Oh..well I am so sorry I... feel like I slammed your culture," To Zara, then a sigh to August, "You helped me with Latin translations?"

"Yes, but... what happened? How? I don't.... " with his free hand he reaches to massage his temple.

"Your apology is appreciated, but unnecessary. Our forms can be quite shocking. And this is very new for you."

"We believe she was taken by the Paler goons to torment thee. Earl and I found her upon the trod."

"And apparently got me closer to safety" Karen says to August "I was out of my mind , 'worse than dreamstruck'... a Rover named Olgar and a wonderful young lady named Dagmar got me to the regular world trying to help. The DeBukes gave me... gloves of Selkie skin... to restore my mind by making me fae so I COULD adapt. Otherwise It might be years in the bug house or acting like a child"

A grey smile. "One good thing, aye. A new life."

"Yes," Karen says "I'll have to pick a coast but..." She shrugs "I'll adapt. The pull to the sea ..is always on my mind, the shore really. But it's something I liked before anyway. I .. just wanted to see if August is alright?" She closes on August "Are you okay?"

Zara bites on her lower lip and pats his hand.

"Zara" Karen says "I am very grateful for your part and Earl's part... did the bad guys get caught?"

"I mean.. I know what happened to one of them" She stares at her gloved hands.

She frowns and nods. "Naught remains. The stronghold has been laid to waste, the lackeys scattered, and the leaders are slain."

A relieved look "I suppose I should feel distressed anyone died. Instead I feel ..safe. " Embarrassed.

"They will not hurt you, they cannot."

"Yes, but August paid a terrible..." A worried look at August who seems to have been silent for this, "..price."

August is taking a lot in.

Zara's mouth thins and she nods.

"Aye."

"It's all... bits and pieces. I'm hearing about what I did but.... I wish I had paper and pen."

"Karen, you.... you gave up so much."Sadly.

"Gave up?" Karen says "August... I'm sane, I'm whole.. and a whole world of magic opened to me where I can stand on even terms"

"...there are mermaids at Coney Island..."

"There are mermaids?" Surprised "Huh. I am so behind. Earl was nice enough to flash me here..wait, that's only half of it and sounds dirty"

"All things on heaven and earth. Magic and dreams, they have form in our world."

"It's amazingly overwhelming" she admits "look, I don't know all the details exactly, Earl mentioned a few... but I do know that this isn't your fault, August. It's not anyone's fault... save the ones who used glamour to turn me into a walking roofie victim"

Zara frowns again, and fusses with her braid.

Karen takes a seat and curls her legs up under her.

August sighs. "I know. I guess."

A white nightshirt shows off the bruises that are still just a bit visible; light green only makes his eyes look deeper.

"I thought they'd heal you up faster" Karen looks him over then "But then you were in a coma"

"Even with magic, it can take time."

"August, can I make a confession?" she says "non catholic kind."

"Ah. Yes?"

He's still got Zara's hand in his.

"Did you ever catch any of the passes I made your way? " Gentle smile "or were you honestly clueless. You do know I had a crush on you before right?"

He looks.... shocked.

"I...ah... I... no?"

A soft rasp. "He's honestly clueless. Only has eyes for his Trueheart."

And now, blushing.

"I'm sorry, Karen. Or, sorry, do you have another name, now?"