#anywhere

"You might, but not if one is extorted."

He takes her hands in his and kisses them in supplication, "Quite fair. A satyress and and Eshu actually. I think Gabby is the quiet one of the crew"

"Oh dear..."

"Good news for us is the hedges provide some sound buffer."

"Thank goodness. And nockers below..."

"Yes well, that's why we have the ear muffs . "

"True."

"Anyway, Gabby invited us to visit anytime. I am not sure, but think she's hoping she at least will be invited in return and have a way of escaping satyr parties"

"I liked her, that should be fine."

"Fair enough. Oh.. 1122 sealed up a peephole. Your brother judging by the height of it."

Siiigh. "I know."

"oh. " he says "I have a solution."

"Oh?"

"Temporary mind you. Next time we're together and you realize he's spying on us, you give me a single, such as fingers tapped together or what not... and then you and I will spout the most purple prose and romantic mushy stuff imaginable before smooching each other repeatedly. I think he's at the age where he'll be nauseated and force to retreat, and reluctant to peek again for at least a day or three"

"That... is brilliant." That does get a kiss.

A return of the kiss and a smile, "Well, I remember when I was a little boy. Cootie Chimera were a true threat." He strokes her face and beams down, "Thank you for helping me get inoculated."

"Likewise, nu?"

"Yes, I rather enjoyed that side of it too" a lilght blush

"He will need to learn kith courtesy, however, before it is enforced by one less fond of him than I."

"I know. I worry about him too," A nod "I think he's so excited of having a sister that he forgets not all prioritize that way. I think it's a sign of affection really"

"I.... well." She considers. "I never expected siblings. But Jacob and Vashti... aye, I am glad of them."

"mmm I wonder if Vashti might be the one to call on? She's no sluagh, but ..a gift for pranking in the right way?"

"True..."

"now, how are your classes? Did you enjoy them?"

"Oh, yes... the literature class! We will be doing all the classics..."

"You're so ahead of that stuff" he smiles though "But I suppose part of it will be plumbing the depths?"

"Aye, and in-class discussion..."

"Composition should be fine, too.."

"In class discussion? " A worried look, "is that going to hurt you? Given.well, I know among your kith you're considered a touch gregarious, but..."

"there are only eight of us..."

"Only 8?" His eyes light up "that's.. okay that's great. You hate crowds"

"I know! And one girl in class seems so nice... she was reading Polidori..."

"Polidori? Where do I know that name?"

"The Vampyre. Well before Stoker."

"ah! Yeah, one of the earliest..wait, THE earliest? at least for the romantic period?" Earl blushes a bit. He used to think he knew lit, but compared to his lady he is miles behind

She nods, eagerly. "What excellent taste, nu? Maybe I shall have a mortal friend!"

"I hope so. " A nod "it sounds like common interest and that's always something to base on. Oh.. have you eaten? Miriam was fussing about you working too hard and forgetting to eat. Nevermind she's not exactly always on time for meals herself"

"Oh... I should eat..."

"Mm. two sluagh, could be wise to eat together, sometimes. Dinners?"

"Well, for him there's some kind of sphaghto looking thing... only I don't think it's out of a can. We still have some of Hannah's cassorle, loaded down and aged. I think your mom has a hard time understanding there's only so much room in a fridge"

"She means well. But see... you and Miriam, then Jacob and I... I wonder if mama talked to her about the tupperware system?"

"Actually I mentioned that. Purple is your color for sluagh worthy food. your brother's stuff is in lime green."

"Ahh. Like snot. Good choice."

A snicker

"The rest is not marked, as far as I can tell."

"I do not think Miriam overly keeps kosher..."

"Ooh sorry. I didn't even think of that. I don';t have any non kosher products." He did say he would no longer partake of pork

"Piff. You do. You just don't know it...."

"Well, if I do, I'm sorry." he says

"Sorry?"