#anywhere

"Hopefully it isn't too loud... but it is charming..."

"She said the chime was a 'dying sigh in the throat of mine's canary, it's last lilting refrain, heard cassandra like, in vain'" A pause "I hope that means it's quiet

"

"Well, we can tinker with it, if need be."

"Yeah, you've got lots of family who can do that" He says 'Oh uhm.. ahem" He says "my Aunt Agnes has a gift for us too. I took pictures..."

"Aye?"

"I was thinking we could put both of our wingbacks here..." She paces. "And a coffee table, thus, and a couch opposite..."

"Some of them are chipped, but she understands sluagh like that ..." He shows her "And she's had them forever but it's not her favorite set and purple is your favorite color so.. pardon, I'm rambling" He just shows her something that looks like this

Zara may remember admriing these at the DeBuke farm, despite or because they were behind the 'good' china that did not show as much wear

"Oh! Oh, truly?"

"Truly" he smiles "She noticed you seemed ot like them, and in her view, at least here they'll get love and attention . You know she prefers the ones with the sunflower patterns"

"You know how she is, try to thank her she just waves it off and talks about any kindness she does 'just makes plain sense'" a fond shake of his head

"But they're so lovely..."

"So much prettier than the sunflowers."

"I agree, actually, but you don't tell the Hearth she's wrong and get to eat" Earl might be exagerating, but it is clear generational training is at work

"Fair enough..."

"Huh, I may have ot tell Doyle to keep our old plates... you know , the mix of things we had." Mix is putting it mildly, everything from plain white to plates advertising a Beerpong movie

"He would benefit, I'm sure..."

"And these would go so well with my tea set... the one you gave me, aye?"

A blush "You remember"

"Remember? Use! Oh, I am the envy of my neighbor..."

A grin "I like that. I shouldn't but I do like it makes others envious"

"She has very good taste, obviously."

"She does, and, time and distance allowing, the two of you should have tea here sometime while I arrange for Miriam and Jacob to be out of the house for a few hours"

"I'll take them to a movie or something" he offers

She nods. "Maybe leave Jacob... at least sometimes. He would do well to be included on proper teas."

"Mmm Yes I suppose that might even keep him mannerly" Earl is staring at the blank wall, a look of interest growing

"I need to get my paints, I.. I think I'm onto something"

"Ah?"

"I can put individual paintings up here or there, but .. this wall, right here.. I could use the entire thing as a canvas..." A thought "Yeah, I can do this, your stream by night.. I can honor it here... maybe change the stream a bit more river like.."

"Oh... think you Caesar would allow?"

"Well.. he's given miriam quite a bit fo freedom.."

"Actuallly I already asked. He's good with it" He assures "I just didn't have the vision before"

"Hm." She taps her chin. "We must needs decorate around it. It should be the focal piece."

A pause. "Want you a television?"

He ponders "You know, I'm not that big a TV watcher, I do like some vintage shows and such but .. and I will admit, I wouldn't mind cozying up with you for a vincent price night, but honestly? I'm good without if you prefer?" Sure, he fights for the bean bag but this meh

"I don't know. I have my laptop... "

"We'd save money, aye? Just internet..."

"We would." he says nodding

"Less risk of an 8 year old sneaking up to watch cartoons..."

"oh I forgot about jacob, HE might hold a strike or a protest" then a beat "At least it would be a quiet one"

A soft chuff. "Aye."

He takes her hands "Okay, I think. .I think this is going to be good. I still wonder about the separate rooms a bit but.. you do need space now and then. " A gentle kiss, "My room is always open to you. Particularly if you need someone to hold onto at night"

"I... don't you want your own space, too?"

"If you need it, aye, you need only say the word, and I shan't enter."

"I ..." A thought how to word this "I thought .. well, most couples moving in together share a room, I think. BUT we're not most couples, and you are a sluagh, and you need your space. If there's one mistake I keep making it's that sometimes I fear I want so much to make things better that I make you feel..." He tries to find the right word and fails.

She frowns. "I... hurt you?"

"No" he says startled

"No no.." A shake of his head, "I make you feel like you have to do this or that to be 'right' and you don't, Zara. You're perfect the way you are, who you are, feeling what you feel."