#scarsdale

"I -am- old, kiddo. Here, get up and take my coffee....." and with various moans and groans she climbs up the wall to standing.

He gets the coffee dutifully

"Ok. C'mon, let's go into the lion's den. It gets too loud, you come out an' hide under the couch. Zara.... Zara'll be around when she's ready."

"Uncle HIrim's gonna want to fix my suit" A sigh

When it is clear, Zara emerges from under the chair... skirting closer tot he kitchen to listen.

She could listen from the next yard over; full-throated nockers and a boggan-blooded sister 'discussing' events.

Earl watches through slit eyes as Zara spies. He does not dare smile, and he maintiains his breathing. If this is how she needs to sort things out, then he'll just have to be patient. The mountain watches the river as the river watches others. Was ever thus.

This frozen veggies are melting, cooling and moistening this particular mountain.

Zara sits against the wall, knees drawn up to her chin. Her eyes are red and her hair is mussed. She does not seem to notice that Earl is awake.

Earl ponders the indignities healers will heap upon a fellow. 'Pot Pie' let's hope That's a nick name that doesn't stick, even if he's worried the carrots might. As for Zara, the red eyes and knees up. He wants to tell her it will be okay, tell zara that her mothers , both of them, are safe now.

In the kitchen, the rumpus continues.

somewhere in the kitchen, a young boy sighs as his suit's buttons are 'improved' ...

Well, it sounds like the Uncles are on too much of a tear to talk about her... good... and Miriam sounds better, too...

"NO ONE UPHOLSTERS -BUTTONS- ANYMORE YOU MESSHUGENAH !!!"

Okay, she's better. Ink-black eyes peer into the kitchen - though the nockers are likely too busy to notice her lurking at the threshold.

Earl watches her watching, and, perhaps feeling he's due a little something for his troubles, admires the way his amour's bones press agianst skin and cloth to give Zara her distinctive beauty. In his mind, he paints her at impossible angles.

well, impossible for most.

Poor Jacob is right near the door, as Hirim attempts to show you CAN Upholster a gas burner while Miriam seems to be looking for a wooden spoon?

She blinks at the chaos... well, Jacob will learn.

jacob seems to be slightlyp ressing agaisnt the door and might be about to squirm free

Oh no, she found the spoon.....

Hannah's insisting Ratchet step in....

Earl smiles at something , pulled from his rakish thought by Zara's blinking expression.

Ratchet's insisting on helmet and kneepads.....

And perhaps htus betrays he is awake.. IF Zara has eyes in the back of her head.

then Earl says gently "She's fine. She's... been fighting them for so long, I think it just floored her to realize she's got her life back"

Zara startles.

"your eyes are red... you've been crying" not an accusation, but not a cold observation either "don't worry, i won't tell."

"..I know, aye." A wan smile.

"i am a bit worried, of course" Earl admits, "right now, mostly about how I think the peas have fully thawed and the water is soaking into me on this couch" an embarrassed sigh

"Ohhhh... I shall fetch a towel. One mustn't spot the upholstery. Not in this house..."

Upstairs she goes!

"I...thanks?" he watches her go amused... but also he tries to make sure the water stays on HIM or..something.

To her credit, she's swift. Earl needn't worry overlong.

Indeed, as she comes down with towels, promptly, he smiles "Okay, which wayh should I move to cause the least spill onto the couch or.."

"Feh." She puts towels ON him, before he can move.

"I..." Seems to be a recurring quote

"Honey, I love and trust you, but the pot pie references and now a cover to keep me sealed in is a bit alarming"

A soft rasp of laughter.

"Nay, trolls are not kosher. Unless you chew cud?"

"Toothpicks... most of the farm doesn't go for tobacco chew, thank goodness, nasty habit. I do sometimes like gum" A smile "But if I remove this and four and twenty black birds fly out... well"

"Well, that would be da'an." She dabs at the moisture. "Okay. Up."

He gets up slowly, glad the towel took most of the moisture

Then he sniffs "I smell like veggie stew"

She blots the cushions. "But how do your ribs feel?"

"Better" he admits "But they weren't that bad before. Time in the hold and such..."

"you and your mom worry too much" He adds before realizing he's being perhaps overly bold to say so.

"Mayhaps. But..." A shrug. "We love you."

"I love you too, Zara," A smile "And.. I think Hannah's great. She's... she has a very giving heart."

"Aye, Mama is wonderful..."