#anywhere

a shimmer of glamour and... Zara finds herself in the midst of some amazing art...

Earl by her side, "I heard about this when you were college shopping and... well, while I don't think the west coast is for you... This I knew you'd want to see"

"Well, Seattle has rainforests..." She trails off, dark eyes hungrily looking about, curious about just where they have arrived.

"Yes, well, Berkely has its security so..." He says sheepishly

Siegfried S. Strauss collection... one plaque reads

"mmm..."

"We're in Berkely, the Magnes collection... over here, they're displaying several works that were smuggled out during the nazi persecution... or reclaimed... here, of course is the work of Strauss... there's even an illuminated manuscript on the ceremony of a bris"

"In retrospect, talking about circumcision might have been the least romantic move I could make" He winces

A soft chuff, amused.

"But the gilding, aye? Beautiful."

"yes, I know you love history, and art, and your faith... here .." He gestures, "Well, it seems to be a good mix"

"Oh, aye!" A tug on his hand. "Seest thou this?"

"Some of it..." He lets himself be led, "But the place is huge... there's stuff from other time periods as well... coins from the roman rule over Judea and so on so.. I've only seen a fraction. Lead me anywhere you want to check out, I'll follow' Hand still held and happy to be pulled along wherever her curious nature leads her.

"Oh, these would be fascinating to talk to, nu? Hear their tales?"

"WIllowshiper if you like while I watch for those who close in?"

"Mmm... if we have time, oh, look! There is so much to see..."

And he's carried off

her enthusiasm seems to be a kind of glamour itself, and he basks in it, but there are objects de art here that shine and shimmer with the stuff of dreams

Indeed, she loves museums - she is the type to read all the little cards, or to wander down hallways that may or may not be open to the public.

His portal passages into secret rooms are hers to ask on.

Oh, tempter...

There are security guards here and there... but if anything, the challenge might not discourage her

She does like to explain things to Earl - he's studied, surely, and might know quite a bit of what she shares already.

Oh, in this he knows he's very much a dabbler. She is a fountain compared to his meager cup, and he is happy to drink of her knowledge. He chimes in now and then to ask for more details when he only knew the vagaries, but does not presume to explain things to her not on this. Besides, look at her eyes light up. How can you not love that?

Zara is gregarious... but it is here, with an audience of one, that she is most comfortable. The sluagh bubbles like a happy teapot.

And Earl feels uplifted by those bubbles, and yes, he does wnat to know things, honestly, it's not fake. "Why is that gold so pure looking?" "I think this artist was influenced by Persian styles but..." "August would love this script here... the flare"

and he will silence to listen to her explain, her opinions, and enjoy her enjoyment.

An ebullient back and forth - August would , wouldn't Clem, doesn't that remind him of...

Clem yes, he hadn't thought of that... ..and yes it does, did she think that..

Joy is a glutton at the table of time. The hours pass without either realizing it

Heck, they almost get noticed while in an authorized personnel only area

but they get away from it and it only adds spice to the day

Shenanigans!

Eventually they do get out.. it's actually opened and ...well, a small crowd comes in. Ack. Peoples.

Hissss

But it was a great way to spend half the day and the two slip out with Earl taking her hands and saying "You liked?"

"Oh, very much. It is near sunset - the beach? I have seen sunrise over the Atlantic..."

"You're my sunset, so how can I deny you one in return?" He doesn't flicker flash there, but the walk is pleasant and a ride can be had and..well they do make it in time.

"I would be thy dusk, thy moon, thy twilight..." She promises, nestled against his side.

A very happy troll indeed, his troubadour soul is almost singing within his breast

They watch the sunset together over the western ocean

(End scene)