#earthrunes

Zara's party was wonderful, good friends, gifts from many, mystery, costumes! She got new sets of tea from Delores who couldn't be there. She got so many books. And a statuette replica of Bronte when she was first out of her egg, adorable!

She returned to Earth Runes triumphantly. Other friends who couldn't make the party greeted her warmly, but respected her space. Earth Runes is full of love. Why even Dame Claire wished her a happy birthday and one knows how formal the Ailil can be

well, more or less

She and Earl had their night together, curling together and she slept the sleep of the dead. Which is to say, quite comfortably

It is perhaps odd, when the next day, there is a knock on her door far earlier than she expected

Zara squints resentfully at the door, from her spot in Earl's arms.

Those swamp waters can be a THING the next day

Ivanka whispers "my lady? Your mother is calling." At this time of the morning? Why it would be even earlier in Scarsdale

She rubs her face. "Which mother?" Oh, her head hurts. But she squirms out from her lover's hold, and puts on a dressing gown.

Earl, still asleep, greedily tries to pull at her bony hips, but she has by now learned how to squirm free from adoring suitor however welcome he is. She dresses...

and hears "The Steward said the name 'Hannah?'"

She makes sure that Earl's decency is preserved by the bedclothes before she opens the door to Ivanka. "Aye. So."

Earl's modesty preserved. And Ivanka says "I know not, just that the Steward said to wake you and that it was an emergency"

NOW she's awake. "Where is the phone?"

"With the Steward, the dining area. " Ivanka says and starts to move out of her way

Zara stalks that way without another word.

"I understand completely, " Delores can be heard saying "I would be out of my mind. But I know your daughter, if anyone can find her, it's her."

Zara comes into view, and sees the Steward, who often gets up early hours so the hold will be ready, talking in a confident reassuring voice. The steward doesn't see here.. yet

Zara is not hiding. "Steward?"

The steward covers the mouth piece when she sees Zara "It's something involving Tizzy? Your mother was very upset, I've tried to calm her but can't blame her. I wouldn't have had you woken otherwise. Want me to tell her your' here or just hand it over?"

Zara extends her hand.

It's handed over promptly

"Mama? it's Zara."

"Oh Zara, " the relief is tangible, the phone's a bit louder than Zara likes but by putting her ear to the side of that she can dim it, "It's about Tizzy, I got the ransom note. I don't know if I shoudl tell your uncles they're likely to explode. I'm supposed to tell ANYONE"

Zara bristles like a cat. "I am not anyone. Do you feel safe talking on the phone? If not, I shall be home shortly."

"Oh. .I don't think this line is tapped. A lot of folks don't even know how a landline works anymore"

"And, of course you're not just anyone, dear. I just feel out of my depth. I know you can see people from a distance. I was hoping you could see her? Make sure she's ..she's.." Her mom chokes a litle "You know"

"Tell me what happened, Mama. There's a note?"

"Yes, it was in the mailbox, but no stamp or anything; which upset me as that's completely illegal, but then I saw it had Tzzy's hand writing, so of course I opened it. The letter inside was NOT her hand writing but it demanded one million dollars and I thought what on earth and for a moment I thought this was some terrible joke but then they also had a picture of Tizzy bound and gagged. Oh she looked so angry. But I don't know how old the photo is, Tzzy went out a few days go to get your gift out of storage and... oh I should have gone with her"

"And what if you were hurt, too? Nay, Mama, I shall find her."

"Go across the street, to my cousin. Ask for her aid, as well."

"Do not tell the Uncles."

"Cousin? I.. oh, yes, of course. I'll ask her, you think she will?" As a sluagh, very likely she'd do it. Favors as well as respects are exchanged

"For my sake, aye."

"Then I'll go and ask her. Oh, this is terrible. You were supposed to celebrate your birthday belated with us this weekend and now I've ruined it"

"Feh."

"You have ruined naught. I shall find my sister, and we shall have cake."

"You help her, and be careful yourself. If I lost you I'd.. I'd go out of my mind. I love you"

And her mother hangs up to go to Marzanna. Zara is sure Marzana will help, maybe for a price (That Zara can pay later) but she'll help. Besides, Right of Rescue? Even sluagh honor it

And Zara knows Hannah has found an outlet for aged baked goods when Zara wasn't available - years of holding onto babka until it molded have paid off in Marzanna's favor.

Oh yes, she'll eat well

"is your mother better?" the smell of tea. The steward has prepared some

"Oh, Delores." Gratitude at the tea.

"I shall ensure Mama will be fine. Pray, inform Velvet she and August mind the Library. I shall be absent a time."

"I'll pass that along. I can't speak for the Baroness in all things, but the office of the steward does have access to resources if you need them. If so, please let me know"

"Thank you."

Zara does dash off a quick text to Siv & Symon: "Must delay, family emergency"

A text returns from Symon, directly. :

🕷️ or 👪 family?

"👪 family. Fledge stolen."