#scarsdale

'-Zara.-" Firmly, from Ratchet. Hirim is stewing.

"I will go away, but who would protect them then?"

"What are we, chopped liver??" Hirim spouts.

"They're... I was trying to handle it..."

Both nockers just look at her sourly. "So how's that working out for you?" Hirim adds.

Zara's shoulders curl inwards and she looks down.

"Zara, look...." Says Ratchet, "We know you meant to do well with this, protect Hannah and Aaron and help them. Ok, so good. We want to help too, nu?"

"Now that we know." Hirim huffs.

"Shutup, Hirim."

"Except I'm just a helpless and useless child, nu?"

"So...." continues Ratchet ".... we'll rebuild the wards. Where's this schmuck now?"

She shrugs. "Probably home. I'd have to check the camera or scry to be sure."

"Camera!?!?"

Earl wipes his feet, then knocks at the same door zara came through

"Sure. I planted one in his apartment."

There is a lot of inarticulate flapping and waving, foot and thigh pounding, silent, miming disbelief.

She frowns, and silently rises to go check the door.

It's Earl, dressed politely and appropriately, "sorry I'm late"

She huffs softly. "Hi Earl. Come in. There's chicken."

Another flurry of gesticulation, indicating 'Sorry he's late, he says!!!'

"Thank you" He comes in, "Gentlemen" he inclines his head to them.

"Feh!'

"Bah!"

Zara sinks into her seat, looking nowhere but her plate.

"you told them then?" Earl whispers noticing their Fehs and Bahs

A shrug. Pokes at her greenish-grey brisket.

The uncles, in unison, pick up their silverware again.

He takes a seat, then "Can you strengthen the wards, sir?"

"No." Hirim grunts.

"We have to rebuild them." Ratchet the Merciful adds.

Zara quietly shrinks.

"Thank, Master Ratchet" He says "Can I help?"

"You got Arts? Crafting? Infusion?" Hirim barks.

"I can craft. I can make a shelter out of paintings, I can craft. Other than that, little bit of legderdemain and Wayfare up to windrunner" More confident than he was, but polite.

"Feh." Hirim responds.

Ratchet is more forthcoming. "Thanks, boychik, you just keep Zara company. Here, maybe. Not tonight. Can't work." A grumble. "And, need to prepare. Zara, it's just going to stay open for a while, nu?"

She pushes her potatoes around, not looking up.

"you're welcome" He says to Ratchet, then he looks to Zara, "If that's okay with you, Zara"

Shrug.

Hirim is eating with a glower.

Ratchet eats, but is watching Zara.

Earl has seen this before. SHe's closed herself up, like a fan.

He puts a hand gently on her arm to reassure, then to the Uncles asks "What would you like to know?"

"About?" Ratchet glances at Earl.

She squirms away from the touch and goes back to potato derby.

"I don't know, Rudy? what I saw of him? What little I know? It's not much but I am willing to share opinions etc."

Hirim masticates viciously.

"Yeah, so you should share in just a minute." Ratchet leands towards Zara. "Hey. Bubalah."

A silent nod

Silence.