#scarsdale

"Ahn Shantay!" Carmesi takes that slim hand between two of hers, and kisses Zara on both sides of the cheek, "Pardon, I did not realize you were the orthodoxy with the cheeses and the fruits in the basket. I am Comte Carmesi, but you may call me Lady. Is the house not shapping up grandly? It was soooo drab before? All gray with lavender touches? Now, now she is getting room to breathe"

Carmesi might be savvy enough to read Zara's soft greys - Ulla Johnson, Kindred, Commes des Garcons.... "A pity, aye, to see a grand lady tarted up. but there is no accounting for such nouveau tastes."

"Oh dear" Carmesi sniffs, "I can see why you would not make it as a maid. I greet you warmly, introduce you to my sister, and you yell the insults? You endanger our friendship dear. She is not 'tarted' she is resplendent! Which house do you take such pride in that you insult my vision so?"

Marzanna gasps

"A strawberry tart, oversweetened. I saw your tricks and your disregard for those around you. Not even moved in, and using deception to mount a shoddy applebox. Mayhaps you should consider how lasting that trick may be."

"Oh, I see," She smirks, "You are one of the little people who must endure the mortals leetle rules where as I have them in hand like zee birds. Green, darlink, is no your colour, tisk tisk tisk. As long as no one intrudes on my property, it will last."

Marzanna has pulled out a black fan, spread it, and buried her head in it , which is classier than a facepalm

"Taste, alas, is not something money can buy. Nor is goodwill."

"Do make sure your workmen are aware of noise regulations. Welcome to the neighborhood."

The flamingo pooka's mouth opens, "You would not dare try to sabo the taguge of my creation"

"Did I not welcome you to the neighborhood?" A tilt of her head.

"She has been kind to let you know of the risks in your boldness, sister, that is all" Marzanna says

"Oh, WEE, so kind" A roll of eyes, "Marcy, you need a better class of fiends" And the pooka strides off a hustle of feathers. One even somehow flying fre to smack (Lightly) Zara in the face.

"I fear I may be the warmest welcome you may find, lady."

Marzanna scowls at her departing sister, then looks to Zara, "i cannot apologize enough for her"

"You needn't. She is not thee."

Indeed, while Marzanna may not know what a shada is, she clearly finds this a scandal

"nay, but she is tied to me. She inheriited, I did not. had I any character I would depart her anyway, but I am, as I said, a bit cowardly and do not wish poverty. so I have sold myself, my dignity. I fear it maybe I who am the harlot. if..if you will allow? Perhaps we could go to a tea house of your choosing? I can afford that much, and while i do not buy my friends, i might buy some of my dignity back even if in my own mind"

"She and not thee? I may well condemn thy parents roundly. Pray, is it only until majority?"

A hurt look, not at Zara, but at mention of her parents "all was left to her period. i brought it upon myself. you see, i did try to run away once. there was a lad. I thought him terribly romantic. And it ended in tragedy. And that too was.. well, you know how our kith can be sometimes. but spurning my father, he took me back, it turned out not all was forgiven. Aye, the will startled me"

She frowns. "Are you certain her tricks had naught to do with it? These 'mortal rules' she thinks apply not to her..."

A pause "I am her sister, surely she would not? " Marzanna looks shaken at the very thought of it

She shrugs. "I have seen the things siblings may do."

"I... cannot bring myself to even consider it" She admits

"I understand that. One wants family to be a refuge. To be a place of love."

"you have a bit of a poet to you, miss zara" Marzanna says "but are no less right for that."

"Do you wish to go to the tea house then? or... we are at a hotel? It has a lovely view "

"I know a place for tea. A bookshop." A pause. "They have cats."

"oo, I am fond of cats" Marzanna admits "they are great keepers of secrets."

"Aye, they are."

"Please, lead on. I rode with my sister, but can call us transportation"

"I have a car!"

"oh...it would seem I am imposing you yet again then if you'd be so kind? Myself, I've always wanted a 1941 Packard Clipper , but sister insisted on her own pick" A sigh "I saw a clipper that was the most stately blue, the color of midnight barely lit"

"I have a Volvo. Papa insisted. It's terribly safe." She leads towards the Schwartz garage.

"Fathers," A a sigh "terribly fussy when at their best and worse alike. my father was out of his mind when I ran away"

"He was probably worried, aye." Garage open. "How long ago did you lose them, if I pry not too deeply?"

"only recently" She admits "Not even a full year and a day" A frown "I know sister is a flamingo pooka, but she could at least incorporate a little black into her wardrobe for a time. You are right you know? We're both so nouveau" A sigh "At least I recognize it."

Then the car is revealed "Did you pick the color?"

"Mama and Papa did, but they know my tastes and respect them."

"I like it" she says "it's not over done. trust me i know over done"

"I would believe that. A moment..." Zara ducks into the kitchen. "Mama, I am going to Abbott's for tea! The construction across the street is too much for me." She grabs her purse and her keys.

this alerts Hannah to the news of construction, as well as her daughter. Zara will not be there when Hannah turns to see what they're doing to that lovely old home. Instead, Zara and Marzanna make it to Abbots for tea. And Zara will learn that while Marzanna loves books as many sluagh does, she has a positive GIFT with cats. Knowing how to stroke them and then set even the most jaded feline to a melted ball of purring

Even Old Asparagus, the patchy-furred 16 year old tabby. "Oh, Marzanna, you must needs stay. I declare, you are a silver lining to a pink, cotton-candy cloud."

Oh she is not put off by the patchy fur at all, finding Old Asparugus beautiful as he is. "Cats decay with such class, yes you do" Then at the praise "I think in comparision I am bound to gain merit" An elegant shrug, then "I thank you . I haven't had cats in a long time. sister doesn't like how they leave fur or the smells they make she claims. I think it's just her avian nature"

A sip of tea "And this is wonderful tea as well" It turns out that Marzanna likes more than a touch of lemon in most of her cups.

"Have you tried lemon with a dash of cream? It curdles so swiftly, like a cupful of cherry petals..."

"I have not," revelation at that "Oh my. does it really?"

"It's a lovely texture. Sit, sit, I shall fetch a little pitcher..." She bustles off to fetch some cream.

Marzanna is everything her sister is not, gracious and humble in her learning from those more versed than she, and it pays off, for she concurs that the texture is exquisite

And then the cellphone she has begins to play softly, 'Your'e so vain', and Marzanna's face falls