#scarsdale

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And so Earl shows up, dressed in an outfit far more stylish than his usual, but he thinks she'll like the purple

Zara smiles when she opens the door, reaching up to tweak his lapel. "My my."

"Oh I have a few more other suits to try. And, while he wanted to deliver it himself, an apology" He hands her an envelope.

"An apology?" She draws Earl inside with one hand and takes the envelope with the other.

the envelope has print that has been hand written with deliberate Care to Zara. Please forgive the stumbling nature of this apology, I am a dancer, better on my legs than with a pen. Instead of being happy for Earl finding you, I was judmental, instead of supportive, or even tolerant, I tried to work around and ignored how horrible that made me. then, I was accused of another prejudice entirely. This last was the result of another's spell, but I cannot help but realize that perhaps I made it easier for Da'an to take a door I myself had unlocked. Despite the fact you owe me nothing, you came to my rescue. even if not for my sake- I am grateful, and I am very sorry I was ever so close minded. Please take my apology, and you shall have it in person if you wish though I did not want to monopolize Earl's time with you. I also offer up these two tickets to the ballet. Do with those as you wish. I hopefully will be wiser in the future- Sincerely, Doyle

She raises an eyebrow. "You told him?"

And there are two tickets to New York City Ballet

"Not exactly, it would appear someone else spilled the beans in a panic that hexes had been done and lifted. " Earl says "He had suspicions and pressed. I told him nothing, told him I could confirm nothing, but it would seem he's figured it out"

"Want me to tell him it was someone else and return the tickets anyway? " Earl says "I would lie for you."

"mmm... the ballet could be pleasant."

"And he seems sincere enough in his letter."

"I think being called a bigot about one thing gave him time to realize he was being a bigot about the other. Do you think he's right? His bias aginst you allowed the Foul Fortune she cast to hit him the way it did?"

"Possibly. Mine may have been too gentle for an impact..."

"I think I should stick to wayfare and legerdemain and leave the soothsay to the experts" A kiss of her hand "Then we go to the ballet later this year. New York City Ballet? mmm one wonders, does the big apple know anything about dance?" he says 'dance' like 'daunce' putting on playful airs "I mean, it's no Philadelphia"

"Oh, my Hunter teases!" She sets the letter down, reaching for his other hand. "We shall go and see, of course. How else to judge?"

Both hands hers now, both hers his and he circles her about him gently as if they might start to dance themselves, "How else indeed? And how are things here with my most beguiling of witches?"

"Productive, I think..." She falls into a soft four-step, a waltz. "Is Sally Mae the only DeBuke in Bergen?"

"The only regular, yes, though Kelby and somewilders took part of Pennons there. I myself haven't been in a while. But there is a bridge trod from the farm to their that's quite direct, as you know, and there maybe other visitors I haven't heard of. Why do you ask?"

"Has she mentioned aught of a troll gentleman? Handsome fellow, broad shoulders, dark eyes..."

"Ah," frown, indeed, even unseelie he seems ired, not at her, of course "One who thought to use her."

"Odran." She twines her fingers in his, swaying gently in the waltz.

"Did Clem tell you of him? The sluagh network is scary at times" He moves with her, there is no music, save the breeze that sometimes causes the trees to clack softly

"Nay. I saw him."

"He's one of your half siblings. " A frown "Yes, I heard. Sally Mae has tried to keep it tight. Let's just say that if any DeBuke found Odran Paler, we'd probably be moved to put another tree near Golnaz and THAT would be a kindness"

"Aye. Though he has been sent to fetch her, and to.. ah... impress Paler on Samhain."

"Oh lovely" A frown "Sent to fetch her eh? I suppose unless we transplant her there's little we can do. Unless you wish us to try something? Build a bridge out of her perhaps? A hope chest?" a dark jest, but a jest.

"Alas... no. Misguided and troublesome though she be, she is also... a creature of her circumstances. Best to keep her where she can do no harm..."

"Well, I fear they'll free her to do harm again, but maybe mmyes. I'll mention to Clem. Maybe there's something we can do about Golnaz in particular. Make it easier for you to trace her than before. A leaf is as good as hair?"

"I would think. And it may well transmute when the rest of her does. A pity, really. I'm sure she's doing good in a way she hadn't in eshu form. Perhaps a nest in hr branches, or voles beneath..."

"Talk about bitter roots" Wryly "What else did you see of Odran or others?"

"He treats the boys differently, I believe. Less... ah... charged. Less..." She makes a face. "He treats them more like employees, like vassals... the girls..." Another frown.

"Go on" He encourages gently

"The energy is... charged. Unhealthy. He enjoys pushing their discomfort, and takes pleasure from their distress."

"Of course a part of him hates his female off spring because he hates women. he relies on them, I suspect the fact he must rely on them makes him resent them all the more ." Earl realizes he is theorizing but, so be it.

"He hurt Moth. Not... not all would see it. He bade her to dance, to be at the center of the floor..."

realization "She's not a Butterfly, she's a Moth... she may flutter ner the light but is not meant to BE the light it's... almost like asking you to stay near the band while it blares"

A sigh. "I know I cannot keep her from him... but oh, I wish I could."

"What of her fool of a lover? Do you think Shalimar should be told?"

"It is not my place to tell. And I suspect she seeks to protect him."

"She is rather sluagh like, for a pooka"

She nods. "I like her very much. She is decorous for her kith."

"A touch of mischief in her still though. Surely she's not really that mesmerized by Hirim's outfits?"

A raspy giggle. "Mayhaps!"

A smile and a whisper as he dips her, "Though there are times I thin she might bump into him"

"My uncle, the lamp."

A throaty rumble of a laugh trying to escape. He holds it in... mostly "too bad she hasn't a coven of other moth Pooka. He could be the great centerpiece of their ritual"

"Oh, that would be a sight to see!"

"He might even be their fire plaid pagan god" A grin most wolfish

"Well, he would let it go to his head until Ratchet brought him back... what is a god without their heart's-mate?"