#anywhere

which is appealing even amid this frustration.

"You're a thinker... how does it feel to be a minority?"

An eyebrow, but no response. Delicate hands feel for the string, tracing along the dirty floorboards.

Ah ha.. she .. that is not her string . Strings don't have scales.

There's a rattle.

She pulls her hand back - slow and steady, not a jerk.

"Oh you're a smart one... you know the dangers... so hard to read. You have a cheat. Something meant to keep my nosey magic at bay. " A sigh "Clever in more that one way. Why have yo ucome here if you don't want me showing you your greatest fears, your greatest desires? And the bastard child of their mingling?"

Silence is a weapon in its way - and after so many torturous reveals, she is loathe to relinquish it. A tiny grey smile, like a polite greeting.

"Oh my my my... did Judy over play his hand with you? That noble protector of Dreamers? " The voice is not in a flattering tone, not towards Jude on that "He's been reading too many of his own travel brochures. Gottten to his ego." A chuckle "Fine fine, my dear. I see now, you didn't come here to be exposed. He did that already. Made you squirm under the light."

Her smile fades, eyes darkening.

"Oh yes.. when the emporer has no clothes and KNOWS it, he makes everyone else undress. Rather rude o him, I would agree... here... you've earned it..." A string, she finds it!

The snake is gone.

She offers the voice a bow, non-string hand splayed against her chest.

"Now, you have choices, as it should be. You can go to the door and be fine. Nice meeting you, at least, intriguing" a chuckle... "And off you go. OR.... if you want, you can let go of the htread, and I'll push you towards where you'll have a chance to ask a question, and I DO know so much, and you'll get an answer. "

Zara holds the string, considering.

A gesture - touching her fingertips to her chin and arcing her hand down, ASL for 'thanks' - and she glides along following the string to the door.

"Why, you're welcome, and dear lady...feel free to return. I'm dangerous, but fun. And a muuuch better dancer than Judy"

THAt earns a grin and a soft chuff of laughter.

And she makes the way to the door

Out, back into the carnival...

And no, no rescue from the sidhe. She went where he bade her not.

And sees Earl..looking sheepish

"Oh, love..." A soft smile - affectionate, and pleased. "Was I gone so very long?"

"Well..." Blushing purple 'No, but you didn't respod to my... "//suddenly her phone pings as texts come in.

Interesting, the Funhouse fuddled or something her phone!

"Ah. Dreaming, must be." She catches his hands with both of hers. "Oh, My Hunter, you should come see the sea. It is wine-dark, like the poem...."

"If you like, " he says "I do feel a bit foolish coming to a needless back up, but I shouldn't be surprised. " He squeezes bacck, then says "Shall we see the shore then?"

"Oh... there was some luck on my part. Da'an was kind, I was being reckless... but I had such an itch, nu?" Her fingers entwine with his, seeking the place where they fit.

She finds it, "i'm being so good now..." He says "Itch, Scratch... boyfriend. Okay not THAT good. I'm only mortal."

"Mmm... you needn't be too good. Tis winter yet." She leads her Hunter from the carnival, towards the sea.

They move on, towards the sea, and he chuckles "Yes the winter has not left me, and I needs must seek shelter in you...often" a kiss of her as he looks at her, with the sea as the background "beautiful."

"Then let me be thy house, and take in all thy moods - from shower to sunshine."

"Your terms are ravenously, joyously, accepted" And the waves of a wine dark sea celebrate them with a crash.

(End Scene)