#scarsdale

"Which I know you would never want to do. She knows it too."

"I just..." A soft sigh from her end of the phone.

"Tell me." Softly.

"I thought it would be different."

"Are you there now?"

"I'm at home."

"We ended up at the Hollow..."

A pause. "Do you want me to come over?" a shy offer.

"I know you care little for Scarsdale... and such a shanda, the Orrery fell, was broken..."

"What?!?!" Alarmed.

"Was anyone hurt?"

"Well, the assassin..."

"Assassin!??!"

"Zara......"

"Aye?"

"Are you ok?" Worried. "Do you want me to come?"

"The assassin was foiled." Smug.

She can hear him moving wherever he is, doors opening and closing. "Are you -ok-, Zara???"

"Aye."

He takes a breath. "Good. Good. Do you want to tell me what happened, or should I come there?"

A pause.

"The phone is.. difficult..."

"I'd like to see you."

"Aye. You may."

"I'm on the way."

((It will take some time..... a few hours?))

((Depending on mode of travel, yes))

(Might get a flicker flash from Bachdion but your call)

((I believe he'll take the trods; he still doesn't think of FF 1st thing.))

*******************************************
Several hours later.....

There is a knock at the Schwartz's door.

Earl opens the door "I got it, Mrs Schwartz"

"Hello, Earl."

"August," He nods "Good to see you. Please, come in"

"Thank you." He steps inside gratefully.

"How are you?" He asks

Hanna comes out, clearly August will want a meal! (though he can haggle her down to a drink for now)

He assures her that he's fine. No really. Just ate. Yes thank you. Thank you, a drink.... wonderful. Pleasure to see you again.

"I am well. Yourself?"

Earl says "Better than I could be given events. Zara is waiting for you?"

He nods. "I came via the Hollow, saw what happened. Are you both ok?"

"Zara was amazing" Earl says "Top of her game..saved the Count's life" Proud "Here I best let you get upstairs and ask her, she may want the pleasure of telling you herself, and a wise boyfriend knows not to tangle with a lady's tea talk"

August grins, a little nervously, and follows him up.

He knocks on the door of Zara's room

"Oh August, how did Carnival go for you guys?"

He pinks. "Ah. It was. Interesting. Good news, my idea about choosing a mortal monarch to assist showed good proof of concept. A few kinks to be ironed out......"

"That's great. I know you were stressing over some individuals. "

"Well, we have a duty to be kind and wise in our treatment of mortals. They did very well; we had a king and queen this year. No reason we can't honor our traditions -and- help them."

"Of course not, the King and Queen are supposed to be honored anyway at Carnivale. I hope Coradel didn't get too much abuse as fool?"

That does darken his expression.