#scarsdale

"Then, mayhaps you should seek out his leavings? WHat is left of other meals?"

"True. Some destroy that which they devour..."

"Then seek out leavings perhaps?"

She nods. "I can do that, aye."

"I would have you be wary, too - he may well recognize you, if he is as I think."

"You know more of us than I do."

"Perhaps that is to the best? I could chat him up about old times?"

"Well, he may well be willing to spill his tea with thee. And... I could watch from afar, and not interfere with your comforting aura..."

A draw of breath, then "Coin of the realm is due to thee. " A nod, "I shall try"

Her eyes widen, then she shakes her head. "No. Too dangerous. I'm sorry."

"think I am not awash in danger? I carry it like a toxin on my wings"

"It is due" She assures, "I have ...the scales."

"I would not have you at risk."

"No."

A look at her wrist, then "Coin is due"

"You are my sister. You helped save my love. Coin is paid, ten times over."

"I gave him eyes again," A shake of her head, "Eyes enough to watch you anew, unshielded. And perhaps, perhaps that has led to this dark casanova being sent here. Oh sister, where is they jewelry?"

She touches her bare wrist. "I lost it. Once dropped, it loses its charm."

Vashti shakes her head, "You cannot lose that which is stolen"

"I cannot work that magic. And it had grown so quiet..."

"Who was behind you while you squirmed through the rock?"

"Who would try to sell your shield in exchange for just a possibility of haven?"

"Who did you trust?" SHe hangs her head

"....Aye." She reaches out, touching Moth's chin and pulling her head up.

Her sister's dark eyes meet her own, "Father gave me not one silver coin for my betrayal, Judas he gave thirty. He took the prize and dangled it and smiled, and I fled."

She turns the back on her hand against Moth's cheek, a gentle caress. "He is a cruel man. And has... wrought paths which are difficult to stray from. They are familiar, well-worn."

"Sister, i am telling thee that I sold thy protection and left thee exposed to all, and now it maybe that his son is fully armed to destroy the foundation you stand on because of what he can see, and you will fall to his abyss. For once he removes all others, then he can try to sway thee to see him as 'father'" Gritted teeth as she tries for as true as possible

"Aye. I am not happy that you did that. Thank you, for telling me."

"Mayhaps, then, it is too much to ask for your help with Rudolph - I would not endanger you. But... do you want me to spurn you? To lash out with anger? I am a sluagh, sister. I know how fear can drive away reason. How fear can overwhelm intent and desire."

"Mayhaps, if I can get Rudolph to talking while night eyes gaze, I can..." A shrug

"Mayhaps." She strokes the pooka's hair, gently, as if trying to soothe a skittish cat. "But I would still call thee sister. And friend."

"Fools in Gemini" a more sedate sigh

"Nay, I am a Crab. Cancer." She grins, flashing black gums. Pet. Pet. Pet.

A laugh at that, soft, though not sluagh soft, "I have exceded my capacity for truth today, but I blush to admit, I cannot claim Virgo. Oh sister shadow, you are too good, too kind. " A pause, "I ..do have clues to throw about thee like bread crumbs"

"Then sing lies and riddles and tall tales, sister-mine. They please my ears."

"Warnings given, when seen as ignored, may rankle the very soil. Wrath a simmer, did burn anew and blazed within the bosom of a leader uncrowned. And so did one who cares almost as much as you, did track a wanderer down. Slaying need not be the only demise, if magic be potent and one lore wise. The Golden One spreads out whorishly, for Helios' kiss. Perhaps they'll make a book out of her one day, if sharp steel seizes aboreal bliss. Rare is the Eshu who puts down roots, but rare is a form most elder smote. One should be wary of a daughter of Nord, if one should steal her goat. And now Golnaz for now, is no threat, her feet are lined in clover... unless of course upon a head, she should eventually fall over. Who did this? Who did this, count thy friends and see. I thought rage came in red, but azure disagrees."

She listens, considers. "Ah. Mischpocha. Golnaz does not, I think, understand family... and while I love my hunter, we are not kin."

"Nay, kin he has, busloads of boggans"

"Exactly. And one.... aye, chief in all but name. A princess amongst the crownless."

"Oh dear, I become a satyress myself..." then adds, "Far too easy" wicked smirk

A soft chuff. "You are many things, sister."

"Ah, well, I did not know how you would respond to this, I feared you might go to her rescue"

"Maybe she does some good - shelters the sunweary, gives haven to the sparrows, sighs clean air..."

"And beloved of all canines" Wistful

"Well-watered..."

a snerk, and, the moth puts her arms gently about her sister for a true hug

Zara rattles like windblown grass - laughter from her broken throat - and returns the hug. "I think she may well benefit from long contemplation."

"if she returns, we can cut her open and count the rings to see how much she's learned?" Hopeful

"Hush." A pause. "Tempting, but no."

"I am terribly repentent for such thoughts" No. No she is not, but smiles