#elsewhere

It's a bit abrupt, and a rush of cold air

(but with snow, fewer people)

Zara snuggles against Earl's side. He makes a good windbreak.

He does "Welcome to the oculus, a park area in Council Bluffs"

"IWe'rre still going to need a car"

"Well, do you know anyone here, or must we rent.. or.. ah... borrow one?"

He pulls out his phone "Where theree is a DeBuke, there's an Ioway. I have a cousin here. Kinian. Should i call her? See if we can borrow the car?"

"That could be wise." A pause. "The guard may have been DeBukish."

"What?" he stops "Okay a troll is bad enough but .. no, our family doesn't work for nobles. We donn't swear to them"

"The family has a look, Earl."

"Oh" A worried look as he texts

"But I am not certain, that is true. However... oaths can be coerced. If they are not forced by dictum, they still hold as true as freely given ones."

"There was no joy in his bondage. Save your anger, for you know not how he came to be such."

"I.." His face was a bit angry and he realizes she's right "I should find out more. yes. Sorry love. Old prejudices die hard"

"Aye, Sir Earl."

"hurtful if on target, love" A slight wince

"Oh, Shirly is on her way"

"So - cousin?"

"2nd cousin" He says "yes. Mmm might be 3rd cousin. I'd have to do the math. She's friendly"

And a car with lots of head room pulls up

"Wonder how she wound up so far from home."

"Oh she..."

the door opens and a tall (of course) Kinian woman sticks her head out "Earl, you sexy artistic beast, bring your etchings?"

"Oh, I like her already."

Earl blushes "Shirly, please don't do that, we're COUSINS and folks thinnk all farmers are..."

"Think what?"

"Oh, he means lacivious behavior between kin, nevermind I'd say the Hapsburgs were worse" Shirly says "You must be Zara" She offers a hand out of her car

"Aye." She takes the hand. "A pleasure."

A shake "Get inside, please . I'd open the door for you but it takes like 5 minutes"

Earl says "I'll get the door"

"Going, going.."

the door opened for her, when she slides in, Zara can see Shirly's in a wheel chair sort of set up.. a hands only vehicle

"So, Earl says you're a third cousin?" Notes, but doesn't comment on the set-up.

"Third, " She chuckles "not that I don't enjoy making him sweat. Partly it was just fun worryin the fam and also because they gave him shit when he was youngere. Acting like he was the catch, and I'm not sure it was acting, was my way of busting some chops" She looks over "By the way, Earl, saw your latest display... you really made it feel like Headless horsemen were right outside the door"

"He is a catch. But I was a wry appraiser ere others."

Earl blushes "Zara..."

"Hey, good on her, Cuz" A smile as they drive "you two need a place to stay or am I drving you somewhere?"

"Ah, we need to get to red oak. I was hoping o borow a vehicle" Earl says

"I'll be your chauffer" She offers

"That... could be very dangerous for you." Blunt.

"It's DeBuke biz. I'm still family.. somethings are hazy but I remember Murray protecing me once. Besides, Earl wanted a vehicle with room to carry some folks? So my van should do"

"ah, Shirly... we're talking 'you could get shot' " or worse is unsaid

"I could probably fair-fortune her..."

"Would you?" Earl asks

"Be easier if I knew her better, but yes."

"Oh...I'm a Scorpio, does thhat help?"

A soft chuff. "Aye, it does."

"that means she's mean, right?" Earl asks