#rutgers

"But... in truth, were Balor not involved, I probably would go home."

"But that house..." She shakes her head.

"You're scared for him because you're scared of it" She ponders "Have Earl stay here, and watch him for you? He'd do it. And he could take August straight home after"

She shakes her head.

"Then I shall worry about Earl."

"Oh" Realization "So what your'e saying is your own anxiety has you trapped here"

"He just needs to finish his tasks, and then we can go."

"Zara, it's a trial, those can take DAYS" She says

"I know." A soft, miserable huff.

"Then..." A beat "What if we move the trial?"

"I mean, this is a boon for August. The Duke might agree to that. It could get held at another hold in the interest of a fairer venue?"

"I do not think this hold loves the Balor."

"True, but isn't that a reason to get it moved elsewhere? One that's more neutral? Look, it's a loophole to move this so YOU can move"

"To one that wouldst favor the pooka-slaying Balor bitch?"

"Well, actually I was thinking of lying about it. and having it taken to another Balor hating hold but they don't have to know that" A smile

"Mmph. Seems a delay. We can just... persevere."

"You're as stubborn as August is. This place makes you miserable, so we should look for a way to solve it"

"Mayhaps you could seduce thy thane as thyself, in the meantime." She nudges at Tzip's foot with the toe of her boot.

"The world should know what a Yenta you are" She snorts but smiles a bit, weakly "I USED him. He's not likely to forgive"

"Nay. You sought to aid another, but discovered more than a pawn."

"You are an eshu, a master of narrative."

"Why insist on twisting this to daggers turned inwards?"

"Craft thy own story."

'Mostly because I feel GUILTY I..." A pause "Wait, I'm using me as a hero of my story, which also makes me a villain, but I've really fallen for this guy. Which... I guess means I'm not a heroine OR a villain, I'm in aa ... oh god. SIs, did I narrate myself into a romantic comedy?" Alarm fills her eyes "I've been visiting Fiona holds too much"

Zara breaks out into a rattly giggle.

"Jerk" She gives a soft nudge then says "Well, at least I got you the hairs of all the real bad guys. That might make you feel better about protecting August if need be?"

She nods. "They will be helpful, if I need to use them."

"As for my thane I... I think I will TRY to come clean with him but AFTER the trial. I don't want him demanding those hairs from you. THat would have me..conflicted"

"Oh, he can try to demand what is mine." Stubbornly.

"AND we're back to conflict.. the guy who seems so wonderful ,and my sister in a fight? NO thanks, don't need that stress. My confession will wait"

"Anyway" She says to her sister "Maybe you won't leave, but I will stay with you so you're not alone as you face this place. We can share a room if you want?"

She leans against her sister's side, and nods. "That would be okay."

"Good." Tziporah leans a little back, so the two prop each other up "Tell the spiders to leave the webs on YOUR side. "

"They can be bribed with popcorn." A soft, happy sigh.

She chuckles "Okay, we definitely need popcorn to pay the arachnid mafia"

And the two sisters talk of romance, and stubborn men, and adventure, and popcorn eating spiders

(Fade to Sister stuff)