#rescuemiriam

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The Farm awaits, the trods into the cornfield is guarded quite heavily, more so than normal, but the clean up at least is done. When Zara arrives those there nod to her and part, one of them with a kind smile, but frankly the DeBukes are looking on the grim side in many cases even with the battle being weeks done

Zara offers polite smiles to the DeBukes, often too shy yet to do more than nod or wave.

Making her way, she sees Earl and Clem talking. Her keen hearing overhears, "Laugh no? Amused... a bit. I mean... you dont normally wear those. I almost didn't realize it was you." "Well, don't tell anyone you goober."

The pale sluagh is remarkably good at fading into the background - and thus, she makes her way closer to the cousins, listening in.

"Okay, but you're not saying WHY you wore the dress?" "I don't know... I mean, I went into the dreaming in my usual overalls. and... " "You have a wardrobe in the Dreaming? Was Aslan there?" "Don't knock, Aslan buddy. Also...not funny. I really it's weird. I mean... I think I was on a date but I don't know with who." "You ...dated?" "Cruising for a bruisin, cuz. You have no idea how annoyed I am I don't know who my ...date, is."

She sidles up behind Earl, cool fingertips grazing his arm without warning.

Clem almost jumps even though she wasn't the one that got touched. Earl IS caught off guard, but his reaction is one of delight, He starts only a bit but then breaks into a wide wolf grin, "Hi." He says warm and soft.

"...hi Earl." A shy smile and then a look over at Clem. "Hey. A date? Blue eyes?"

"Sea blue eyes," Clem blushes, "I'm kind of ... darn it,Zara. I met him in the Dreaming and I have no idea who is buckling my swash." //"Buckling your swa... " Earl shakes his headthen looks at Zara "Wait, you knew about this? Her and Sea eyes?"

She waggles her overlong fingers. "Soothsayer."

"Of course," Earl smiles proudly and pleased at the waggle, "No one sooths like you do." proud indeed.

She reaches for Earl's hand, lacing her fingers with his. "Aye. And Miss Clementine deserves some fun. Adventure, even."

Clem grumbles "Did you see anything about Dashing and mysterious being someone I only met in the trods? Because that's really vexing."

"I shared what I saw - Da'an only reveals what it must, and does not always yield easily."

CLem sighs, "Zara... I came out in this gorgeous dress... " A bit wistful, "And I don't even know his name."

The sluagh beams. "Oh, how romantic! That must be so exciting!"

"It is, but it's also gonna get old kind of fast...and it's embarrassing. I mean, did he see too much too soon? I don't even know what kith he is."

Earl carefully schools his features

"I doubt you would do something you did not wish to. Mayhaps... oh, how does it work in the stories... perhaps a token, of some kind? You must be careful, for pressing too hard could drive him from you..."

Earl mutters, "boy did I learn about that the hard way."

CLem shoots Earl a look, "Don't whine, Earl. No girl wants her ardent admirer to whine." Then she looks back at Zara, "Did it take you long to break him in? He can be thick."

She pulls back, uncertainty clouding her expression. "Um."

"Stop that, Clem," Earl says, and looks to Zara, "Sorry. You okay?"

"I... sorry, yes, I'm fine, sorry..."

Clem blushes and looks guilty, "He's right. I'm just testy..and I know you're right. I .. i'm just not sure I'm good at this bashful beloved stuff myself? I aint' the type normally. I feel a bit lost and spun around."

"Scrying in the dreaming is hard. I think a token is best, if you can remember to seek one? A lock of hair, a handkerchief, something of his..."

Clem nods taking it in, "I think... I think I remember a .. a sash?"

"That's a start!"

Zara finds her way back to Earl's side, giving his hand a little squeeze. "But you could ask, mayhaps, for a favor to carry... "

"A sash." She nods reassured now, and a smile. "Yeah, some favor might work."

Earl feels the squeeze and gives the gentlest of squeezes back.

"Stilll...." wistful sigh. "So romantic. It has all the makings of a fairy tale."

Clem blushes purple.

Earl looks at Zara, "Maybe later when I paint again, you'd like to see me paint you getting into a carriage shaped like a moon, with the headless horseman as your driver? And I could be the lucky fellow opening the door of the carriage for you?"

A little crease between her eyebrows. "I wish not for a footman."

"I..." she falters, and looks down at his hand and hers. She brushes her thumb across his knuckles. "I'm sorry. I think I said that wrong. I.. I wish.. you should paint whatever makes you happiest."

Clem looks like she has an opinion on what Zara, what any girl would want, but clamps down having already overstepped.

Earl shakes his head, "Don't apologize... you're right. I want to be the one who dances at the ball with you. Romantic hope hidden behind alabaster masks perhaps, on the side of the curtain away from the thickest noise of the crowd."

"I like everything you paint."

@Shady Lady (Home/Desktop) has joined the channel

Earl beams.

Clem smiles, then says "Hate to break this up, Earl...but I think Emmit wanted to talk to Zara and I?"

"Mayhaps after, we could watch the stars? Cancer is rising... we are on his Cusp."

"I would love that, " Earl says earnestly.

Clem smiles but says nothing.

Another voice, Emmit calls out, "Ahem."

"Emmit, sir." She detaches from Earl to place a hand on her chest and bow to the Mountain.

"Mountain," Clem smiles, "Your two most promising students are here."

"Where?" Zara makes a show of looking.