#scarsdale

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Marzanna has insisted on tea now and then before Zara races off to Vasaar, "Of course I shall be happy to get an eye on the situation here in Scarsdale. It's only mannerly. And we do live in dangerous times. Not so much here any more thank goodness"

"Indeed. Now, I must ask you a serious favor...."

"But ask," The sluagh says.

"Do come over to say hello to my mother, a'times?"

"It will make her happy to have someone to fuss over. She is an excellent cook, and sensitive to a refined palate."

"Oh she is a kind soul, you are certain it would be no bother?" her delicate brow knits. It is hard sometimes for sluagh to realize how others ENJOY being imposed upon.

"Tis her boggan blood. It would make her happy."

"I know, it is seeming insanity - but see, aye, how nockers must kvetch, or redcaps must stomp?"

"well... i suppose for a friend, yes," Marzanna says "it certainly sounds more pleasant than visiting my sister."

"Oh dear, yes. What isn't?"

A soft wheeze of a laugh and she covers her mouth at being too expressive, then nods "sooth. Oh but I shall miss having another sluagh about"

"And I shall miss you! I will be home for holidays, and weekends as I may...."

"a most pleasant thing to know, but do be careful. It would seem some houses such as the Leanhaun are growing bold these days, and they normally such a meek seeming house"

Eyebrow

"What news, cousin?"

"A troll hold... Bergen I think? recently reported that one of their own was placed into a coma by a Leanhaun spy. Run over by a car, poor dear." A sip "Compared to the usual tactics of harp and rose, clearly someone got too close to something to illicit such a direct response"

"Rather crude for them, aye. Who fell, know you?"

"I forget the girl's name, but her mother is famous.. one Chieftain Brekke Shacklebreaker"

Quick, Make a statue!

She frowns. "Ah."

"You know them?" A raised brow

"Well, I know something of Bergen. One of Madame Grey's other students resides there."

"oh yes, young Symon. Promising lad." A sad look, "Oh dear. He might have been fond of those trolls." A sigh "it's always different when one of our own knew them and liked them I think."

"Agreed. I may go check on the lad..."

"you are the fount of empathy" her neighhbor nods approvingly "perhaps a gift of tea would cheer him?"

A soft tsk. "He is still learning the art. But aye."

"All the more reason," Marzanna says primly.

"Agreed. Oh, I shall invite him when I am established... a great tea, to meet the kin of Vassar's realm..."

"Careful, one mustn't seem too eager for company, it leads to skeptical looks and soft head shakes, particularly from our elders"

A sigh. "Oh, I am too gregarious by far... tis a failing, I know."

"you are not alone," Marzanna says with a gentle brush near but not making contact with Zara's wrist.

"and you are well worth adapting to it for"

A soft smile. " I am so glad you came to Scarsdale, cousin."

"and I am very glad to have a fellow sluagh to salvage my life from pastel hell"

"I do say, the decor has come along famously..."

"And did I spy bats?"

A soft clasp of her hands together than on any other kith would be an excited clap "oh how wonderful of you to notice, yes, two of them have moved in. isn't that grand?"

"Oh, wonderful! What atmosphere..."

"i do hope they're a breeding pair" she sighs happily

"I shall hope this, also."

"thank you, now, regarding your amour... I pry not into your romance, but rather his work. has he made any truly bonechilling art of late? I do love to have my bones chilled"

"Oh, let me brag on him..." She digs out her phone.

an indulgent smile, "it is good to see artwork out there for the nightmare fond"

"He is a regular Giger..."

She glances over the art work when it is shown, "oh... my, that one bespeaks of a sweltering terror. I wonder if the humidity inspired him"

"ooo this one is... so romantic... look how she embalms his body?"

"A final farewell, aye..."

"Perhpas one day I will have a love that inspires such thoughts" Wistful

"Perhaps..."