#rescuemiriam

Miriam frowns. "I don't know. Guess I hadn't thought that far. The City?"

The Uncles exchange looks again.

"The City is dangerous."

"Well.... lots of places are." But she doesn't sound sure.

Hirim clears his throat. "Couple weeks, you're a little stronger, maybe we take you to Ratchet's forge, hm?"

"And then... maybe Yonkers? W-work up to it?"

"Mmmm.... let's let her see the forge, and my workshop, Zara. See what she'd like to do after that. One thing at a time, nu?"

A diffident nod, eyes down.

Miriam watches Zara's reaction, and speaks up. "Maybe Yonkers first. I'm sure your shop and all are great but....I don't know much about smithing, after all."

"The forge is nice. Loud, but nice."

"-Nice-?" Skeptical. "Ok....."

"I'm not a smith, either. But you should see all the projects..."

"You gonna be there, Zara?"

"I can be?" another look at the Uncles.

Both nod.

"Spent plenty of time there, growing up. S-so I am sure about th-the loud."

"Ok, well... if you're going to be there, I guess... ok"

A nervous look at Hirim, and her shoulders curl inwards. "If you want, I mean. I'm not... "

"Miriam wants you there, you come. If you want."

"I'd like to come along, yeah. Yes. If it please."

"Ok." Hirim shuts up again.

An anguished expression flickers across her face, despite her efforts to squelch it. She rubs a hand over her eyes, scrubbing it away.

Silence once more.

"I... I should get home soon. You want... ah... tomorrow?"

"There's already stew in the crockpot..."

"Hirim, walk Zara home." Ratchet says firmly.

Hirim grunts, but gets up to get his stick and coat.

"It's... " uncertain, faltering before she can fully protest.

Miriam looks from Ratchet to Zara. "You ok?"

She gives Miriam a shy little wave. "I'm okay. M-might be back tomorrow, Sunday for sure."

"Ok." Miriam seems reluctant.

"....Do you like books? I could bring books. Like the one where the lady goes crazy, that I was telling you about..."