#scarsdale

"True enough."

"None of the others - Levi, Zeke, their parents - they did not stay behind, as you?"

"if they did, Ididn't see... I thought were just dead. I thought Tizzy was dead. I was so angry, still am"

"Your soul calls for justice. What happened to your family was a great crime."

"Tziporah will not be alone. My mother has not yet said it, but she will no allow the girl to be lost to the system, to homes that will not love her."

the burned image wipes at her eyes "A very good woman. We were a small family. Misfortunes and so on. I don't expect your mother to take her as one of her own, but a roof over her head and a kind heart, that's a lot . She's a good girl, but she'll be shaken. She was resenting us and the world a bit I think, like teenagers do, and she may feel guilty that that's hwo she felt when she lost us all. You tell her it's normal, that it's okay. We all went through it. I was a monster at that age believe you me"

"I'm adopted." Simply.

"Ffft, what's that to do with anything? You're of the people, and you're definitely their daughter, and always will be."

"So - my mother has a great capacity for love."

"If I am not here, you might still watch her. Miss Marzanna is like me."

"Marzanaa? The young woman who had to get rid of her sister because of those horrible pink flamingos? What an eye sore those were. Glad she got rid of them"

Every one on the street remembers the week of the Pink flamingos. Dark days

Zara nods.

"If I see her, I'll talk to her, and thank you. You're right. Your mother is loving and I'm glad she's looking after Tizzy"

"As for vengeance... I cannot promise that, no. But answers... yes. And punishment."

"I think I would settle for justice if I had to.. probably better for the heart" SAhe admits

footteps.. not in this world, but the next...

"Search for any new ones" A voice crosses the barrier, "Last thing we need are renegade recruits"

"Hide, Bubbe. Be safe and smart."

"I hear you..." and with effort, she steps INTO the tree. A good cameflauge

And Zara sees them, soldier ghosts serving some organization or ruler among the dead. Even unkinder than nobles

But if she is wise, she will not let them know she sees, or hears

She busies herself with scooping up a little vial of ash.

"morbid little bitch" One mutters

"She's.. different rfrom most quick" ANother says "I think her glow is..."

"Is she in a caul? If she on this side of the shroud? Then forget her..."

and they move on

Zara does not appear to notice, no.

She has her ash sample

And so she quietly slips away from the house.

Well... what remains of it.

(End scene.. . but the mystery continues)

Almandine gets a late-night text. ( B, have an inquiry for you please. Z)

A surprised response from the Seer of Earth Runes

TXT : Zara? How can I assist?

TXT: You can see how far back? A few days?

TXT: I know, but you CAN?

TXT: Yes. I do not advertise it. I didn't know you knew I had it, but it's an edge where you best me in Soothsay

TXT: With a bit of luck, I can go back a full day

TXT: WIll give you juice. Could you please come to (address)? At night, no mundanes around.

TXT: I believe with Bachdion to flicker flash me to the Count's hold I can be there in less than an hour

TXT: I am indebted.

(In writing!)

TXT: On my way

TXT: My thanks

Zara waits, enjoying the cool dark of the summer night.

Time passes the grandmother does not return but Zara does not think she was taken. It is in fact a HALF hour that Sir Almandine aka Bellamy shows up. While he moves quietly enough for a sidhe, still she hears him.

The pale sluagh sits before a burned wreck of a home, the smell of smoke still heavy in the air.

She rises, placing a hand on her chest. "Pray, forgive. I know the working is time sensitive, and we have already lost a day. Thank you for coming."

"You are most welcome, I brought some extra dross to help, but Zara," He looks over the remains "If this is what I think it is, Magnus would be a better choice to investigate. He' a detective and probably better in Chronos than I"