#scarsdale

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And see, on her front, it was a quiet two weeks. Earl is doing the lawn now.


Shady Lady [1:06 PM]
"What happened to the other guy?"


Catnik [1:08 PM]
"He was inappropriate and I didn't feel comfortable with him here. Luckily, Earl got him to leave when he didn't listen to my request to stop.. ah.. being forward..."

"What? That nice boy with the..... lawn equipment?" Hannah seems flustered.

"The satyr, aye."

"He made me uncomfortable, and did not respect my request that he leave. He said I couldn't make him do so, as I didn't hire him. But... you both taught me not to allow boys to... keep pressing, if I did not wish their attention."

They both look a bit confused by that; two weeks away, on their own.... well, the memory wears. "The.... like Pan? Goat legs, horns? An interesting classical reference, Zara, but what does that have to do with our lawn?" Aaron asks.

"He is like me, Papa. With magic."

"He got angered, and when Earl came to also tell him to leave, he lost his temper and swore at me before storming off. I am uncertain if this means he quit or I fired him..."

"Perhaps some tea?" Earl says with an offer from the kitchen

"I do not wish him back, please."

"Hmmph." Hannah folds her arms across her chest, a sign that conversation is over. "Well then, he can stay away if he can't behave politely."

"Did you see, though? Earl and I took care of the lawn. I planted marigolds for you, Mama."

Earl comes out with some drinks, then says "I.. I apologize for having to mention it, but apparently at one time, Rudy or whatevre his name was tried to show his..privates to Zara. Kept pestering her to let him show them."

Zara flushes pink. "He's gone now, nu?" She collects her tea.

Aaron goes stony. "I'll call the police."

"Papa, no."

"Actually, I was wondering, did you hire him from a specific service company or something? "

"Zara, if he.... exposed himself to you, he has to be reported." Aaron says firmly, then looks at Hannah for an answer on where she found the lawnboy.

Hannah looks at Aaron for an answer on where he found the lawnboy.

They stare at each other, waiting.

Eventually, a bit of perplexity sets in.

Tense and blushing furiously. "He did not succeed. In showing. No. Papa, no police. Not.. I do not wish to be grilled by strangers, I do not wish to draw this out. I want simply to be away from him."

Earl says "Have a drink, try to remember.'

The two mortals stand there looking at each other. "You don't remember where you found him?"

"Where -I- found him?"

"Yes. He showed up, said you hired him."

"-I- never hired anybody, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of the lawn myself!"

"Oh HONESTLY, Aaron, don't you remember when you threw your back out!?!?" And they are off on an argument that spans about 20 years.....

"So you mean he lied?" Cutting in before the argument can build.

A whisper to Zara "i think we may have to wait for them to have those drinks and get re-enchanted"

Both Aaron and Hannah seem to come down on the side that -neither- of them put out an ad for, or hired, any landscaper. He showed up and said one of them had hired him to the other, and they.... never thought to ask. It was just a nice gesture on the part of their spouse.

And both are now huffy.

"All the better that he's gone, then."

"Hmmph." the parents opine almost simultaneously.

Zara pecks each parent on the cheek in turn. "Welcome home, hm? I'll get cookies."

Hannah bustles in after her, an underlying note of eagerness to get 'home' to her kitchen. Aaron nods at Earl, and takes a sip of his drink.

Earl waits patiently, and when Aaron enchants, he says "Hello, again, sir"

Aaron blinks rapidly behind his glasses and seems taken aback, slightly alarmed, but not panicked. "Hell... hell... hello."

Zara carries the coconut macaroons back out to the boys.

"Z... Zara." He seems more accepting of the sluagh.

"Thank you, Zara." He says with an adoring smile as she bringsi n the food, then to Aaron he says "I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty , sir I thought it might make communication easier.."

"Papa." He might be used to the shadows of white hair and hollow features - but the whisper is a change, her voice stolen, not merely soft-spoken.

A fond smile, and he crosses to kiss her forehead. "I forgot. I'm sorry."

"It happens. The mists. The Uncles are rebuilding the wards to keep him away."

"Satyrs can be trouble if they put their mind to it," He nods

Aaron frowns, nods. "If he hurt you, Bubalah... you'd tell me?"

She nods. "He didn't get the chance to, nu? But I do not wish to see him again."

"Well then you won't." Aaron hugs her awkwardly.

Cool to the touch, bone-thin... but a hug back. "Aye, Papa."

Earl is politely watching the other parts of the room while they talk

Hannah bustles out with a loaded tray. Aaron takes her drink to her, offering another awkward hug and the glass. "Here."

She takes it and drinks... blinking.

A soft sigh. "Hello, Mama."

"Ma'am" He says politely