#odyssey

"Ah, with both of you." he includes politely.

"Well enough. Now."

"It's ah, good for me" Tziporah answers , "Though I'm still dealing with the flattery of the Duke offering me a position here."

Which maybe the first Zara has heard of that.

"........a position would tie you down, would it not?"

"Actually, he assures me it would involve a lot of travel. Probably one of his heralds or messanges"

A small hint of a frown.

"And it's not so far from Apples" She adds

"It is." Neutral. So very neutral.

"Well, his favorite hold is actually Niagra Falls. I might work from there"

"Mm."

"The Canadian side has nicer views"

"Does it now." Zara pushes her plate slightly away and sets her utensils across. She's no longer hungry.

"Sis?" A surprised look "Something wrong"

"Mm."

"You love those" A look at her food "Not aged enough?"

"Tzip..."

"Yes?"

Zara sighs.

"If you will excuse me."

"Sure, " SHe says 'Oh, did you want to talk to August alone?" She rises "He's been worried about you"

"Tziporah."

She stops "Okay. I stepped wrong somehow. Sorry."

"Do you want to stay here?"

"I was flattered by the offer" She admits "But I suppose I shouldn't." A glance at the thane on guard "Could get complicated"

"Feh. Don't you have the koyach to face him?"

"Feh!" She counters "It's... it's complicated. I got him in trouble"

"Toochis ofn tish! Either do something, or stop mooning about it."

Tziporah GLARES, whirls on her heel and heads out of the room muttering and perhaps forgetting her sister can hear "Feh... like she wasn't Farmisht about HER heart in the day ... this isn't how my story is supposed to go but does she appreciate that? Nooo... Mishpokhe doesn't appreciate Eshu challenges"

Well, that should fix ONE problem, at least.

The Thane watches her go, his brow knit with concern and confusion

August watches this, and then slowly takes a seat.

And zara hears the thane mutter "I swear her voice sounds familar... feh, I sound like a putz."

Zara knows one can only push so much. Tzip will either be bold, or not.

The Thane isn't near enough to spy on them , rather he just guards the door

August taps a bit on the table top; morse code: Worried for you.

She slumps down in the chair again.

"I don't want Tzip to stay here. I want her to come home."

"Maybe if she resolves... whatever... with that thane, she'll have her head on straight."

August lets her statements sit there a bit.

"I understand, she needs to spread her wings... but here?"

"Why not?" whispered "She has a tenderness for someone here, and an offer of a position. There are worse situations."

A crease between her brows. "She'd be alone here."

"It is not a hold I would wish to visit again."

"Accepting a position here would not have to mean she'd be alone." he points out softly "She might take a post for a specified time-frame. And... there is the possibility she would, ah, make friends."

A defiant little toss of her sharp chin. "The best of holds wouldst trip over themselves to have her."

He nods. "Yes." agreeing without artifice.

"Holds closer to home."

"Holds without Dictum-towers."

August looks down at the table... is that.... regret? Shame? Embarrassment? "There are worse situations." after a long pause.