#scarsdale

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It was a long walk, a few loops, maybe needless, but there you go. Earl walks with an arm comforting Zara knowing she has been through much.

"I should not have gone."

"Perhaps not, but neither should you beat yourself up about going. I will say I thought you were very brave." Earl says "And confess, that monster gave me chills 'he was mine' to justify a murder. "

"None of us are his. Spreading seed does not grant ownership."

"Agreed . You've seen how he treats the others- He's not a 'father' to any of them. " Earl says

"No. He is not. He is cruel."

"And manipulative. ' A nod "would that i knew how to remove him from your life forever without violating what you hold sacred.. I know he wanted to offer you knowledge in exchange for your continued interest. But I think you can learn what you need to without him." A frown "He sees you as a weapon for his legacy, he doesn't grasp that you are not a weapon but a witch... and one with far more breadth than his machinations. You are a seeress, and growing. Not some flightless chick in a nest hoping to have his pre digested offerings poured into you. You have wings now, Raven and I'm honored to fly with you."

"A witch, aye. A soothsayer. And in time, a Namer. I shall be these, all without his aid."

A bit of a smile, "Great Uncle Emmit .. I heard him saying he hasn't had a mind as sharp as yours to teach in over 30 years"

Pink.

"Oh, I am a pest of a student..."

"Yup" Folksy exaggerated then a nudge "But honestly, sometimes he's asking to be pestered. Most Trolls take the 'this is the way we've always done it and it works fine' line at face value. You force him to show the bones of the reasons, not just the face."

"Well, I want to know..."

"And that might be why you're his best student. Oh you're smart too, but, contrary to how some of my more muscleheaded cousins might show- we're not dim, we DeBukes. But you're the one who wants more what works, but the knowledge of WHY they work. I adore that about you. "

"How else can you change the world, unless you know it inside and out?"

"I think your uncles would see a lot of sense to that." A nod, "me? I'm the kid who turned rocks over and watched the bugs on the moist underside, then painted them. They too had their story."

"Oh, if you ever go to Fenix, there is a childling there... if thou needest bug facts, Tomas is your boy."

"I heard of him actually, maybe I should send him a small painting of a few bugs not native to Mexico? Fenix is having a hard time right now" he says "The caravan? Well, from what Coy tells me, he's a thane there, Jessica is trying to help as many as she can."

"She would, aye."

"Yes. Not to gossip, but I hope she's okay. Clem likes her and she seems a good person. But taking all that weight on your shoulders can overwhelm anyone"

"Indeed. I might wish a freehold, someday - who doesn't? - but not to run such a large one..."

"Really? You wanted a freehold? I.. interesting" He clearly is surprised.

"A tiny fire. Enough, perhaps, for two... enough to never need seek a sidhe's haven."

"that I can understand." A pleased look at the mention of two

"One I could work my magic from, without being.... monitored.. or begging permission." A smile. "Aye. Two."

"In my purple victorian." A soft laugh.

A chuckle, "I like the idea, and no harm in the likes of us dreaming? Maybe the balefire would be so subtle that you had to look for it... perhaps contained in a cracked stain glass window depicting a flight over ravens over a river and under a moon, the green flames sparking one moment in this or that raven's eyes, and the next moments in the currents as highlights in the dark river. And always casting a fragile and unearthly glow that made those passing it dream of old times in ancient days with themselves either as hunter or hunted.... .and yet for all it's primal nature, there would be books on the other side of the room that could only be read by the balefire's light, and not just any balefire. Books that were secret to all but those who had haven there."

He almost paints with words, and yet he denies being much of a poet.

She closes her eyes. "My Hunter knows his Hind well... aye.. a lovely dream."

"Well, I admit, somewhere, if not in the hold itself, but near it, I'd like a space to paint, arrogantly assuming, of course that I am a part off that 'or two'" But he is pleased to see she likes the vision

"Well, a witch must needs have an artist in her garrett. It is known." She steals a kiss.

He returns it, "What a wonderful rule to know" And they , now at the home she loves so much, go to talk about these things that are known.

(end Scene)