#scarsdale

One hand stays on/near/close to her.

The wyrm.

"So. You know I am... that... you know of the balor blood, aye."

Zara is still on the bed - her purple wingback unoccupied across from the VERY LARGE one.

Earl has taken a seat near Zara on the bed by her side assuming she let him.

"And I'm oathbroken." He agrees, serious.

Earl doesn't comment on that. Liams having won him over.

"What... what else do you know?"

August glances at Earl, back to Zara. "Me?"

She nods.

A deep breath. "What you've told me. Your... birth father."

(OOC TBH, it was a while ago...)

"A balor sidhe. Aye."

"There are others. Other children."

"Other children?"

A nod, unsure how much to add.

She gestures at Earl.

"Other... oh."

He thinks about it. "How... many?"

"Don't know. A dozen. More."

"Oh." Taken aback.

"Golnaz was the first, though."

"She attacked you."

"...aye."

'Golnaz is one crazy eshu."

"The children. They are a...plan."

"Seed balor agents, make it so they aren't questioned because they belong."

A pause. "Seed?"

"He impregnates as many women of other kith as he can, and tries to use the offspring as spies and worse as they grow up"

Zara wraps her arms around her torso, eyes shut again.

August looks sick.

Then, "Not you. Not you, Zara."

Earl puts is arms around Zara, "Hannah and Aaron, your uncles...they all raised you right. With kindness, and love."

She squirms away from Earl, pushing up to her feet. "I need some water. Be right back."

August stands.

Earl watches her go, "Ok."

After she's gone, August looks at Earl as he retakes his seat. "Is she ok? Are you?"

"It's not been easy on her. She's torn up about this. She feels, I think, that somehow the balor is in her 'blood' and makes her bad ...despite folks assuring her that Houses are something you swear to. Not just born into. She... is better about that, but I got kidnapped and tortured, and I worry she's going to push everyone she cares for away to 'protect them'. Me? I'm angry. Zara has always sought adventure. I thought I had gotten used to her making me terrified every three months..it's part of her charm and it makes her happy. But this isn't adventure- This is a stalker mad man who sees his children as extension of himself that are his puppets to use. But we can't move too soon against him."

"Earl... are -you- ok?" Almost brotherly concern.

"i'm afraid. I think he's... I think while she scryed him he ..grandeur? Maybe? She has a romantic heart. She..talks of him glowingly at times. I worry Paler is like a poison, and he's trying to kill what's best in her. " A momentary flash of dark eyes "I swear. Dreaming help me but if my hands were around his throat? I'd snap it. As for Golnaz? She's reckless, like many Eshu. And sees her half siblings as a threat if they get more attention from 'daddy' than she's getting. Frankly, Zara is 10 times smarter than her ...but that doesn't mean Golnaz' knack for showing up at the right place at the worst for other times won't be a danger. My kidnapping has Zara fearing for everyone she loves. "

"Which is why she wants me to stay away." Relieved.

"Ok. I understand."

"But I'm not going to stay away. I'm going to fight for her."

"August," He leans back, "You are a good man, but there are times I feel..very small around you."

August smiles faintly. "Well, that must be a first."

August nods. "Ok. What's the greatest threat, right now, as far as you know?"

A sad smile, then "The greatest threat is not including Zara in on this, and she makes both of us pay for it."

He laughs softly. "Ok, yes." Understanding and amused. "Next biggest threat?"

"Paler likes playing waiting and stalking games. Golnazis more impatient. Paler has more resources and power but wants Zara serving him, warped into his creature, Golnaz is more likely to go for the kill and sooner. That's a guess. And..." A glance to the door, concern that Zara is not back yet ... "August. She won't want you involved. So if you get involved, you're going to have to think like a sluagh... be subtle, discreet, learn all you can without revealing anything to those that don't know. I'm not sure you can do that without wronging Coradel depending on your situation. And I'm no sure Zara wants Earth Runes in this."

August goes quiet, more sober and serious than Earl can recall seeing him. "Oh."