#scarsdale

She gestures at the growing crowd, and the tuning musicians, and the riot of light and color.

"Oh! Oh, right. Well. You'll have me there, and Earl, and Ice. You'll be safe."

"I'm so glad that I've met all of you. Last beltaine was very different."

"I'm glad you came up to say Hi in the library, Zara. Thank you."

A shy smile. "Me too. I'm glad to have you as a friend."

His response is a warm grin, and a sparkle in his grey eyes. He gives in to an impulse, and hugs her briefly.

Even on this spring day, she's cool to the touch - but she returns the hug, even with people watching.

Earl smiles, dressed as he is in voile that resembles a nordic gentleman on holiday.

"Oh, I think I might spot someone tall and blue. I'll be back in a bit, August." A cool hand grazes the sidhe's arm, and the silver-clad whisp threads her way towards the troll.

He bows low to her, eyes taking her in joyously, "I know you don't like me making a fuss in public, Zara, but...wow."

"Miriam made it for me... you like it?" She smiles, glowing pink against the grey.

"It's exquisite, and please tell Miriam I said so," He moves to her. His own garments are fine make, but he clearly feels and probably is but a dim frame compared to her moon light radiance in her voile. "It's been awhile since I've come here, they've really done the hollow up proper for the holiday. I nearly got lost just looking around before I found you."

"Oh, we have people in from all over the county. If not for Miriam, I'd probably be hidden away entirely. You look wonderful! I like all the buttons. "

"It's not too busy?" He asks admitting his worry, "I know art as paint, as clothes I'm out of my depth." Still, his wolf teeth flash a smile at her compliment

"Mayhaps you should seek a pair of sunglasses before you see Hirim..."

He laughs softly, "Oh my. Is he in full Emperor of the Sun mode?" He asks, taking her hand and kissing it softly before letting slide to a soft holding of hands if she allows and trying to do so at a time when no one else is looking at them. He knows she is shy, but Beltaine has him in its grip and the swelling tide of its magic is hard to contain.

Zara allows it - she might well be floating as they find their way through the crowd.

Deliriously happy to be hand in hand, he moves with her letting her guide for she knows the place better. It would appear she wasn't kidding about people from all over. A knight in colors of purple and silver talks to a lady in a dress of red and gold. Two boggans chatter over crapes....and more.

"I see what you meant," He says observing noble and commoners in fine garb alike

"Beltaine is the biggest holiday here, by far. I imagine it is, at home?"

"Oh, hard to say. We love Carnival because we get to pick on nobles... but that's out and about, so...yeah, this isa big one on the farm. Still, I'm glad I'm here. " He smiles a bit shyly, "With you."

"I'm glad you came. I was thinking of exploring the woods after all of the formalities have passed...."

"May I join you?" He asks, "When you do?"

A shy nod, her delicate hand curled around his. Some may notice the unfamiliar troll and... Zara?... but Earl can be a shield from their prying eyes.

Indeed, Earl moves along with her and offers his body as concealment if she chooses to dive to the side and use him. Slender he is, for a troll, but she is more so and can hide behind him like small elm to the side of an oak tree if she wishes, "thank you. What sort of formalities are normal here?"

"There will be a full formal court - audiences, announcements. Often, if there are commendations to be had - in particular, elevations." She looks towards the knot of journeymen and apprentices near the front.

"I wonder if August has any chance at finally getting a knighthood," He muses, "he more than deserves it."

"He does. If they would recognize all he has done..."

"well, I'm not sure if he even wants it, but... it would be nice if they would at least recognize it, yes," He smiles, "I suppose we should be careful. They might at least squire you. You've some grand things yourself."

Pride in his eyes

A soft rasp of air, the breeze through cattails. "I find that highly unlikely. Nor would I desire such a thing. Better to be unseen, and free to act."

"I know, ghosting is your style," He agrees, "But I hope you don't mind me cheering you on quietly?'

"Quietly being key, Herne."

His s mile grows positively wolfish, "Whatever it takes to pursue the white hart."

A duck of her head, and a smile.

"How is Miriam? I mean, I can see her handiwork," He glances at the garb that graces Zara's slim frame," But is she here at Beltaine? Is she holding up well?"

(Ice likely has arrived with the nocker, at last....and is enduring the introductions while eyeing Goggles suspiciously)

"She seems to be. Something important is happening, and I am about dying to know what..."

"Oh?" He says , "Okay, my own curiosity is perked."

Meanwhile, the Dragon is having a back and forth with a thickly-bespectacled grump - a trade of insults, almost ritualistic in nature. Whiskey is flashed, insulted, complimented, debated...

Earl smiles as he hears the sound of Nocker 'charms' nearby. "This place is lively."

(Ice is edging away, practicing his stealth while the nockers swear, drink and insult like sailors)

Janet glances briefly towards Ice, and then pointedly away - allowing him escape.

(Escapes)

(Dressed all in black for Beltaine. Who's surprised? At least it's nice clothes. Button-up shirt, and -- er -- new cargo chinos? Boots....)

Janet totters off with Goggles - making up for Ice's black in a riot of color and layered patterns. Plaid and paisley and stripes and argyle....

"She's looking healthier when she walks," if he notices Janet...remembering her when she was hobbled far more.

(,,,,then add a pair of sunglasses to the mix, too...)

"It's good to see her up! That means Ice must be here..." Dark eyes go seeking - twin spots of night-black in the silver moonbeam.

"Look for the darkest clothes you can find and you'll probably find him," Earl says with amusement