#scarsdale

"I hate that part of it; she always handles it with so much grace, Earl...." A small puff as a smile wars with the worry lines on his forehead. "This year she dressed as a marionette. Can you imagine? Her? A puppet? Ridiculous."

"Talk about playing against type" He concedes "I know you hate it, but I think it shows her subjects how far she is, willing to tough out things for their sake."

He nods. "I know it does. They made her Prime Minister before the end of the night."

"Prime minister? " He's startled "That's.. different."

"Well, she couldn't be Baroness before the end of the night." reasonably.

"Of course not," He says "And she was voted in? That.. shows some popularity"

"Yes." quiet pride "She has earned it."

A nod

"You all were there, I understand?"

"Did Zara tell you that?" A brow

He nods.

"Well, we traveled a lot so only spent one sectio nof the night at each place"

"She does like to travel on the holidays. I'm glad you're there to go with her."

"Well, of course. We love each other. Don't you ever quest with Coradel?"

A quiet moment. He nods. "We have quested together, yes."

"You and Coradel should do it again if you get the spare time" He looks to the door and knocks softly once more "Zara? August is here to see you"

Her door cracks open, dark eyes peeking out.

"We don't have spare time." wryly. "But I would make time to...... hello, Zara."

"...hello.." the softest of whispers.

"Hi." He watches her shyly.

She steps back, opening the door wider to allow entry of both men.

August ducks in.

Earl enters as well

Zara retreats to claim her chair. The bed and the vanity bench are open seating options.

Earl takes the bed and smiles at Zara "Your mother wants to know if you want snacks brought up?"

"Of course she does." A soft huff, but she smiles.

"if so I can go down and tell her "He offers

August goes for the vanity bench.

A little shrug. "It is nice to be visiting."

August nods agreement. "Trying to make sure my parents don't see me, but....."

"Well, we can get you home safely..."

"Oh. Yes, that's right."

"I got a bit of dross if you need flickered somewhere" he says

"You must let me return the dross at some point." Politely.

"If you insist" he says

"August does." Pointedly.

A look of adoration at Zara "August is so adamant sometimes"

"I do insist." Agreeing.

He holds up his hands in a silent gesture of good natured surrender

"Aye." Satisfied.

"So... we were talking carnivals?"

"Yes. I was telling Earl my schedule has been pretty packed. I suppose now I will have some time available, though."

"Aye?"

"Well. School has shut down. Public Masses are canceled. I'll find volunteer work to do, and of course the classes have moved on line so I will have that to do....."

"Vassar is switching to remote classes too " Earl says

"Well. That's good?" He asks Zara tenderly.

"Oh..."

"It has been a very.. odd.. few weeks."

August nods. "It has. I have heard more than one story about sickness Nocnitsa about."

"It's alarming"