#anywhere

"What about downstairs? Miriam might appreciate it."

"She might. We could ask." he sighs "I wonder if the trolls or Rivervale would like it? I could claim it was a gift from their allies the DeBukes"

"That.. isn't not true..."

"I don't THINK they'd go to war over it" He glances at the bean bag again

"Know you any blind trolls?"

A snerk

"Sorry, Love. I'm really trying not to laugh, but ..." Ahems "Not off the top of my head. " POndering, "Ah, what about Shalimar? "

"Oh, he and Vashti would fit nicely..."

"Ah, right. Vashti might ah... would your sister declare vengeance on me if we gave it to Shalimar? I know you'd be safe...but not sure about me?"

"Well... no, she might like it. It's... shiny..."

"I hadn't thought of that.... mind you, she might have to pretend she didn't... but... yes. Why not a gift? to the two of them? Or Shalimar and watch her lay claim slowly?"

"The latter amuses me."

"Then to Shalimar it goes, that allows her plausible Deniability too. A perk"

"Agreed."

And then.. aye, our two wingbacks, the loveseat for guests.. or us, nu? Mayhaps some dark grey lace curtains..."

"Oh yes, with a web like pattern so a certain arachnid friend can feel at home"

"Indeed. And bookshelves, and.. there, thy hawkeye painting..."

"Mmm the gold will be muted in the painting so not to glare"

She nods.

"mmm I know you love purple.. did you want more touches of that?"

"Purple is nice, true."

"Purple, blue, black, grey... maybe some ivory?"

"That ought to suit us both. I do not mind burgundy, either."

"It would do fine" A nod.

"We can find a slipcover for the couch... oh, let us shop? I have my card."

"Where would you like to shop?" A gesture of the world around

"Well - let's explore? I'll drive!"

"Surely," he looks her over and smiles

"I want your opinions, too!" She takes his hand, pulling him downstairs and out to the Volvo.

"Okay.. head room. I love head room" he says slipping into the car and mashing down with a grin as they go off

Zara, it seems, favors antique and consignment stores. And Earl might blanche a bit at some of the numbers thrown about...

Earl is delighted, and while his preferences are similar, he often touches into Gothic American more so than victorian angles but they overlap so much it's hardly a problem . "Look at this..." he says "I think it's Bostonian"

"It would be lovely, aye. I could make a doily for it..."

"oh that would really..yeah, and it's a good height"

"Sold then, let's find the proprietor..."

And they find the propritier.. new to the poughkeepsie area... they find locals a new experience.

It turns out the proprietor is a couple heading towards their elderly years, a rotund woman and a tall thin man. Neither of them fae blooded, but it is clear they are in it for more than the money. They're happy to share the history of various items in the store and what they know. A bit chatty for a sluagh's taste, but well mannered about it.

Chatty can balance with historical interest...

It does... "Oh, you have a good eye young man," the woman beams at Earl, "This is from Salem, actually"

"..Salem?"

"salem massachusetts," The husband chimes in "Crafted there"

"No promise it has anything to do with witches " the wife jokes

"Well, it has a certain charm..."

Earl smiles "I like it, but if you like another better?"

"It would be nice for homework."

"Well, I admit to liking it."

That from Earl "but the candelabra was also nice"

"Hm. Now, both... " She considers. "No, no, both would not be... now, if we could get both for, say, 500..."

"Oh now I don't know. " the wife says "My husband insists we at least make some profit..." As if the world were about to collapse should they haggle too much

"Well," He frowns "Times being what they are... perhaps 590?"