#scarsdale

the moth flitters about, more nervously?

He laughs. "Wow, you're a barrel of kinky surprises, Zara."

Pink! She shifts nervously, touching her hair again. "It's warm today."

"Yeah? Warm." Agreeing. "Moist, too."

She gums on her lower lip. "...Aye. Nay. It..."

"No.."

He nods. "It is." Shifting closer. "All warm and damp." He tilts his head, watching her. "You like that?"

"I prefer fall to summer, truth." She brushes back her bangs, tucking them behind one batlike ear. Her pale fingertips trail down her neck, and her hand rests lightly against her sternum. Can he hear her heart pounding? Why is it so fast?

He watches her fingers avidly. "Cooler, then? Cold and damp. Yeah, I can see that."

"Aye. Cold as a river..."

The moth flutters past Zara

She startles, and sits up straight. Smooth her tunic, smooth her hair. Prim and proper.

"Aw, not that cold. Shrinkage!"

"I am a sluagh, sir." Dark eyes follow the moth.

"Yeah?" Waiting for a punchline.

"We have our own tastes."

"And I am taken, so the point is moot."

The moth settles again slow open and close of wings

He licks his lips.

She fiddles with the end of her braid.

"Soooo....." Another shuffle forward, he's just about settled next to her on the stoop. ".... so, like, you think my ink's bad news, and I got some dark fate hovering over me, and you want me to quit this job to protect your family?"

A catch of breath, and a nod. "Aye, in summary."

His hindquarters bump the stoop and he settles. "What do you think I should do?"

"I think... I think you should find a new town to settle in, and mayhaps a sugar mama to spoil you mightily... some lonely soul who would appreciate your talents, and reward them handsomely."

He laughs, uproariously. "Oh MAN! You get me, you really GET me!!!!!" He almost falls back off the stoop.

"I could likely help you find such a benefactor... soothsayer, vershtay?"

"HOoooooo....." He wipes his eyes. "Oh shit.... I dunno, Zara, as good as that sounds I think I'm gonna get bored with it, yeah? Throwin' my hot dog down the same hallway all the time?"

A nose wrinkle, but a nod. "That too. Perhaps more a community..."

"Tragos?" A little dip in his mood. "Yeah, I like those. But, you know, this is ok, too. I like having my own space."

The moth flutters a bit anew

"Why no tragos? Nobody wants to be lonely."

"Oh, I'm not." A lazy grin. "Unless I want to be. Satyr. Moody. You know."

He tilts his head. "Your folks know you're trying to fire me?"

"Not your concern. I could ask you to resign, instead."

Another lazy grin. "They don't."

"It doesn't matter. You have to go. You mustn't return."

"Or what?"

"Or I shall have to do more than request."

"As I said, I wish you no ill. But I will do what I must to protect my home and my family."

He snuggles his rump a little closer, more settled. "Huh." He works at cognition. "I'l.... yeah, ok, I'll think about it." He looks up at the house. "Where are they?"

"Out."

She smoothes her dress again, inching away.

The moth has vanished behind a beam

"Out where?"

"Out." Firmly.

He grins. "Out -where-??" Teasing.

"It isn't your business or concern, because you shan't be contacting them again."

"Look, did something -happen- to them? I mean, like.... I show up and they're, what, -GONE- and you act like....." He pulls back, suspiciously. "Dude. Did you -do- something to them?"

"Ahem" A voice, deep and dangerous, speaks out, "the lady told you to leave."

Earl is wearing leathers, not for looking good, but meant for a fight A sword is in its scabbard.