#scarsdale

He blinks. "Earl. Zara."

She reaches out with spidery fingers, grazing his cheek. "Aye. You were cold. Hurt."

He offers her a familiar, shy smile, and reaches up to take her fingers. "Hi. You came to find me."

"We should get you to Firnost, or Alabastor Hollow or Earth RUnes. You need a balefire."

"You're my best friend, aye. Of course I came."

He looks at Earl, then, his expression closing off. "Earl, thank you. For your help. I'll be ok now."

He grins again at Zara.

A frown, his brow wrinkled "Ok. What's THAT about?"

"I think you need a fire, though." A worried look between the two men.

August releases Zara's fingers slowly. "I have church here tomorrow, and study group. I can't go to Firnost or... or EarthRunes. And I don't want to go to the Hollow."

"Did I tick you off? " He says "I'm mean, you just walled up."

"No, Earl, just... old habit."

"What of the city? You need Rescue. And fire."

"August. You nearly forgot yourself. If it was one of us, you'd be wanting us to get to the bale."

"I could seek some Liam places I know, yes."

"Aye. Tonight. Your mentor, nu?"

"Does he have a bale?"

"or she?"

"He."

"He has... resources."

"Aye. Let's go. Your car will be fine...."

"I should go alone, Zara."

Gently.

Earl's teeth are grinding a bit, Zara at least, can hear it.

"No. I have a duty. To you, to the escheat. Do not deny me this, August."

"...please?"

"Zara... it's a place of faith. You'd be welcome, of course... but it's... sensitive. Liam don't have many places. Nu?"

"I'll go." He puts one palm over the cross that he moves to his other palm. "I'll go."

"And G-d is G-d. I will not disrespect the house."

August nods. "Ok, then. Let's go."

"August, we are your friends. You thin we can't show respect or secrecy if it keeps you remembering?"

OOC: CHange that up one if you would 🙂

OOC done.

"Why did you not come home?"

He shakes his head. "Are we going?"

"Yes. But August, you let yourself nearly get undone. I think we have earned your trust on why yes?"

"I didn't notice." Muttered.

Zara nods, reaching for his hand. "We're going, aye."

He takes Zara's hand, ready to be led.

Zara leads for the church she spied before - before the damned redhead and all that followed...

OOC From Scarsdale/Westchester CC to NYC could be a hike....

OOC OTOH, August's car is right there...

((Amend!))

"YOU ride. I can drive."

"Ahhhhh......" He looks at Earl.

A soft huff. "Or Earl, yes."

"I'll drive. You two may need to talk and he's more willing to talk to you than me I think"

"Earl...." He starts to protest..... and doesn't. But he does hand over the keys. With no jingle.

Zara gums at her lower lip, worried.

"Sorry August, I'm worried about you man. This is self destructive behavior. And whoever little miss jinglekeys is? I'm sure she's nice but you need to tell her you have a girlfriend already."