#earthrunes

"Ack!"

"It's supposed to take one good hit.. " Earl blinks "And be escapable"

And she does squirm, away from the bright purple thing.

Vince blinks, clearing his vision, and reaches for the decoy.

Well, SHE wasn't blinded by it. but now that she's out. Wow

Because it is MEANT to be squirmed out of, it's actually no effort at all

But it stands there like a Zara shaped plaster in neon lavenders and purples

As solid as steel

Tapping it curiously. "A lovely disguise..."

Earl scratches his head "Well, anyone attacking you won't be expecting that"

Vince bows to the decoy, and attempts to sweep it into a dance.

"I don't think anyone, at all, will expect that. Ah. Does it go back to being a glove?"

Zara's keen eyes spot a bit of STILL pale white thread. Dangling just so slightly loose. Mmm that can't be an accident

"There's some way for her to put it back" Earl says "And.. Vince, stop dancing with my trueheart's clothing.. it's weird"

"Tis the closest I can get to my own true love, alas, that you bought her away with the price of a bird, a dozen songbirds I would leave on her pillow every night, and mice besides..." Dipping the decoy, and giving it a spin.

Earl says "Well, you snooze you lose, not my fault I got the most wonderful woman in the world just my fortune" a smile

A tug on the thread?

And it suddenly unwinds, decolours and turns into a glove again

Vince collapses to his knees. "Bereft again! Shall I never know thy embrace?"

"Zara, maybe we could get you some leather armor? if this glove is.. too much"

"I will keep it, and put it upon a pedestal for all to admire." He says, offering the glove back.

She takes the glove. "It is.. most unusual. Thank you, Vince."

"Leather armor would trap me..."

"I think it is .... ah, fitting. Oddly, perhaps but.... it suits you." August offers.

"Well, okay, it was made with love i know that" Earl admits "I recognize Hirim's work after that little ah display quite vividly"

"Quite." She agrees.

"I could see the merits."

"Oh, time for me to put this away" He taps his belt buckle twice and.. the armor goes truly liquid around him, turning to paints and slide down into the buckle , leaving no stain

And his clothes under it, only slightly rumpled

"Layers of protection." August points out "In an instant, you are sheltered, you can still escape, and your foe is blinded."

Blink. "That is.... very handy also."

"Thanks" Earl smiles "I got the idea from a ring"

"Very Hirim." Fondly. "And Earl. Aye, I see the merits."

Vince wanders off, dreamily. "Oh, that I held her in my arms, but for a minute, and she fit into mine, like a hand into a glove..."

Earl watches Vince go "I will never be that cool" And. . he might nnot be joking

"Mayhaps, but - thou art mine, nu?"

"Oui" He smiles back then says "August is thinking of sending a truth branch member to help Scarsdale"

"Well, the Hollow."

Brow.

"What persists?"

"Earl thinks the Count might be at risk of his position." quietly "Perhaps having a member of the bannerhouse in the area could allow us to assist him, somehow."

"More importantly, those mortals with love"

"Mm. Well, perhaps someone new could take that place and the Count retire..."

"And yes, of course, the mission of the bannerhouse comes first."

She nods.

"I think.... would the Count even want to retire?"

"Dougals do seem to be the 'work till you die' sort" earl admits

"The Hollow could do well as a worker's collective..."

August smiles gently. "I think we fundamentally disagree on some things."

"We love you anyway, August" Earl says and means it, "You're our friend. But I think there maybe a push for that. We'll see"