#anywhere

"And he said.. he said.." Velvet can barely speak even at her usual whisper "he said Jane Eyre is boring"

She looks at Zara "How can I call such a cretin my boyfriend?"

"Ah... gentlemen must be guided. What matters is that he supports your love of the novel."

"After all, Earl is fond of basketball."

"I suppose most tall people are" she nevertheless looks perplexed at the notion, then cautiously "I would have Tylar SHARE What I love, to learn he loves it not? I feel a part of him is closed off from me"

Oh she frets.

"I understand that. But how boring would it be if you loved only the same things?"

"Part of the fun can be discovering what you share."

A frownn, then "Zara, he is often very placating. It maybe I do not know what he likes as well as he knows what I like" this seems to disturb the girl on more than one level

"Ah - so, a challenge."

"Think how you could surprise him - finding what brings light to his eyes, and delivering it when he suspects not? Imagine how he will marvel at your cleverness..."

"But..what if he likes monster trucks and... and beer?" A nose wrinkle but she IS tempted

"Beer is fermented, and was once the province of witches. Trucks.. ah... well.."

"Oh" A blush as beer is apparently more witchy than she recalled "Yes, I suppose everyone has their failings or they should be intolerable"

"Aye. You may jest at his flaws, but with affection."

"Ah, just as sometimes your eyes do dance Merry when Sir Earl says his French with that Iowan accent?"

Zara smiles. "Aye."

"Tis wrong, but... tis him."

The Raven churfles it's odd little song

And none can hear or see it save Zara and Earl, and this means it is a secret no one else can pierce.

A smile.

"I do envy what you have. I hope to have it myself one day" She says with a smile toothless, then she nods "I nneeds must beggin to spy on my boyfriend's off hours"

"You may yet find literature to share. Not everyone can appreciate Bronte - tis a privilege, nu?"

"And aye. Good spying."

"Tis" Hand over heart, and she withdraws

At this, things go quiet for Zara

Quiet is not so bad...

And she can see through a crack Earl is painting again

A little smile, and she squirms up to watch.

A couple, dead from some highwayman's attack? Ravens have landed to feast on them- and the ravens black forms have formed a heart shape