#scarsdale

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THEY'RE GONE!

It took two weeks and some subtle shoving and yanking on the part of Zara but at LAST! Her parents are GONE! Off on a two week cruise from NYC to the Caribbean and back. Zara can hardly contain the thrill that runs through her!

And on Tuesday morning.... the sound of power equipment outside on the lawn.....

Siiiiigh. Dark eyes peer out her window, watching the satyr.

SOOooooo Early; he can't possibly be a Lark, can he?

Zara floats downstairs, and goes out to sit on the stoop - cup of tea in hand.

It's overcast, even dripping rain; a perfectly gloomy day. And there he is, moist and bare, raindrops sparkling like diamonds in the mat of fur on his chest and a cocky grin on his lips as he checks the lawnmower over, cleaning and oiling.

She raises an eyebrow. Terrible weather for lawnwork.

His head bops along to whatever is pumping in from his earbuds as he finishes wiping down the machine (sparkles!) and he starts working on the hand-tools, oiling and sharpening.

He couldn't hear her if she tried, so she waits and watches.

He squats comfortably on the grass, using a whetstone handily, taking his time.

Zara is patient. She will wait.

Eventually he glances up and "Woah!" He flashes her that cocky, self-assured grin. "Hey."

She raises a pale hand, waving. Her mouth moves, but it doesn't carry.

He pops the buds out and trots over. "'Sup?"

"Well, I get to be the bearer of bad news. Hello, and apologies."

"Bad news? Bummer. Everyone ok?"

"Oh, yes. But, I'm sorry, this will be your last week working here. We no longer require your services."

An 'O' of surprise. "But... there's still a lot to get done! I mean...lookit." He gestures around the lawn and garden.

"I know, and you will be paid for your work today. If you require a reference, that may be provided."

"But what else you gonna do? Who else?" His hooves clip the turf.

"That is our concern. There is no fault in your work."

He slides his unnecessary sunglasses up onto his horns, eyes narrowing. "What about the garden?"

"That is our concern."

He squints, uncertain and defensive, then grins. "Oh. Yeah. Ok. Cool."

His demeanor shifting.

"Thank you for your hard work, especially in the transition to spring. We do appreciate it."

Zara is still calm, cool, formal - just business, right?

He nods. "Sure thing. Mister or Missus S in?"

"No. I have your pay."

A lazy grin. "Yeah? How you gonna pay me?"

"With cash. Naught else. And then, sir, you will have no cause to return to my demesne." A faint stress on the last.

"Ooooo.... little Lady of the House?" Not teasing maliciously. "Hey, can't blame a guy for trying. Sluagh are kinda cool if you're into that kink." He shrugs, winks. "Anyway, cool. Tell you what. You keep the money for now. Mister or Missus S gives me the sign, I'll take it and I'm out. But, -they- hired me, right? So you can't fire me. My -Lady-." Another tease.

She bristles, lifting her delicate chin a touch higher. "I can, because I am the fae and they are not. I no longer wish you here."

He lifts his hands in attempted innocence. "Yeah but this isn't a Fae deal. I'm cutting grass, right? Although, for that matter, if you -want- grass....?" He trails off.

"This is my home. My demesne. I will pay you fairly for your trouble, I wish no ill upon you."

"Backatcha!" Cheerfully.

Grey lips curve into a thin smile. "Aye, sir. Indeed, I hope you may find fair fortune in your future endeavours - but I will consider a return here a deliberate insult. You may not seek out my guardians, they are my kinain. Do we have an understanding?"

He frowns, cocking his head. "I don't get it."

"You think I'm some kinda danger to 'em?"

"I... believe that this is the best course, from what I have seen of da'an, aye."

"As I said, I wish you no ill. You seem a genial fellow, and quite a bon vivant."

"Yeah that's me." He scratches his chest, making the dew there run down his abs to the waist of his shorts, darkening them. "So you, like, check everyone out? With a look-see at Da'an?"

A wry smile. "I am a sluagh soothsayer. What think you?"

"Shit, I didn't even know that." He shrugs. "I don't have any of those thinky Arts."

"No, I imagine your focus was more on the physical. Which is good, nu? How boring a world if we were all the same."

"Yeah, but, like.... -everyone-? That's a lot of mojo. You look at me?"He frowns. "I dunno...."

"Not everyone I chance upon at the grocery store, no. But a mysterious satyr with strong glamour upon him?"

"Hey." He grins. "If you got it, flaunt it, right?"

"Aye. I admit, I am curious..."

"Yeeeaaah?" A cocked eyebrow and knowing grin.

A scoff. "I have a partner, sir."