#scarsdale

Earl isn't just carrying his glass sword as he appraoches Scars dale, he has his chimerical armor on.

He carries in his hand, a letter. He glares at it with distrust, borderline hate. ANd yes, he's wearing gloves.

Zara, meanwhile, is puttering about her morning - tea and schoolwork and cozy slippers.

And there is a knock at her house door.

She glides over to check on the door.

It's Earl, though she may notice that leather armor he normally only wears while questing or worried about a threat

And her hunter's face has the look of one doing something he wishes he was not.

She opens the door. "Earl?"

Not a word, but a worried look, and she touches his armor.

"Call it paranoia" He says "I wondered if I was being tracked by this thing and going to get jumped on the trods," He pulls out an enclosed envelope "But instead I appear to have been turned into a delivery boy. It was at my door step, but addressed to you. It's got a light glamour, I suspect goblin paper in there ..which meant if I read it and wasn't 'in' it would have burned up and I didn't know how you'd feel about that. "

"In KC?"

"Yes. My apartment door."

"I dislike that. In, in, aye..." She takes the envelope, kenning it herself.

"Can I suggest gloves?"" But it might be too late

There is no obvious nefarious intent accessible to light kenning or casual scrutiny

Well, the envelope is in her hands. "A bit of paper, concealing, protecting, a carrier, a barrier, answer me - revealing, projecting..." a gentle twist of glamour, invoking a whisper.

A few murmuring whispers, a nod, and she opens the envelope.

Two weeks post-Samhain in the third Epoch of Balor
_To Miss Zara, known among mortals as Schwartz
From Her Father
Greetings.
I confess my hands tremble to take this step, my excitement and anticipation is so high. I am no stranger to patience, a rarity among my House perhaps, but we have had so many near-encounters… I tell you I am eager to meet you in person, finally.
When you are ready.
We have breathed the same air, conversed with the same people, walked the same earth, indeed, we have even rested ourselves in the same bed… we have all but supped from the same cup. I would look forward to that.
Should you be under any misapprehension, allow me to lay it to rest. I have nothing but care and concern for you. I would guard you with my own life. You are in no danger from me, or those I command. Zara, I would make you more powerful than you ever dreamed possible. Anything, Anything you wish, could be yours. I know you; I know the idea appeals.
Think on it, Zara. Think how sweet it would be.
I will be in touch again.
Your Father._

If Earl can read WITH Her, he does. THough he's not about to push around if she shakes her head

Regardless, it burns away in chimerical flames once read.

"Piffle."

"Your dad is a great guy, your sperm donor is a twat, pardon my British"

"The same bed?" A nose-wrinkle.

"Probably one of the rooms in firnost you and I stayed in. Remind me to get new sheets"

"Agreed. Foul."

"...Mayhaps I should do it. Tell him to leave me be."

"Though that may be rewarding him, encouraging him..."

"That's my concern." He admits.

"It's you call, but frankly, I don't like the idea of you meeting him alone. Actually, I don't like the idea of you meeting him but that's probably me being a troll. I do have an idea, he plans to contact you again right?"

"It sounds like it, aye..."

a barely audible whisper in her ear, as if expecting to be scried on even in the wards "there is nothing in the right of ignorance that keeps me from setting up a hidden camera at my door"

Oh, THAT gets a grin.

and that makes him smile "Worth a shot"

"Truth."

A pause. "Part of me does wish to meet him.."

"Not.. not to meet him.. but..."

"see him, know more about the monster. I know. You're curious, and I love that about you. I also worry that in this case he's counting on it."

"Aye... but... can we wait forever?"

"I don't know. He boasts of his patience. I admit to not being crazy doing this on his terms."

"Part of me wants you to get everyone you could on this, my entire family, your uncles, August and anyone from Earth RUnes, I want an army around you, an army that cares"

She shrinks. "I hate a shanda..."

"I know, I know" he puts a comforting hand on her shoulder "And this isn't about what I want, it's about you. If an army turns into just another prison for you then it's no good. "

"I wish, oh, that I had better ties with my kith. I know I spend too much time with others, I am too extroverted..."

"what about that new kid, symon? "

"He is a fine sluagh, but I would not risk him to Paler's wroth..."

"my dad would help, you know that"

"Aye." She touches the charm at her wrist. "I would be more upset without this."

A pause, a frown. "Earl..."

"yes?"

"Be not angry..."