#anywhere

Zara is getting a massage, squirm plus strong troll hands means she can literally be bent at what would be joint breaking ways, but quite pleasant for her

"Let me know if it starts to cause pain" Earl whispers as he works. "I've only had a few massage classes here"

Her toes curl with contentment. "Aye. But if the pain is pleasant, thou mustn't stop..."

"Then I shan't" He promises, and continues to work her narrow shoulder blades and almost impossibly angled left leg "Things go well at the library?"

"Aye. Though something is occurring with August and Coradel. Decem is watching."

"What trouble have those two found now, I wonder?" A bit of work at the spine now, delicate

"Mm. Blowback from Coradel's host. The rich bitch."

"And a coma patient? I should see what Hume is up to."

"How is Hume coming along? I.. kind of feel for him. I know what it's like not to fit your kith's expectations"

"Well, he can be myopic. Dougal. He seems to have found a friend in Ivory, which seems good for both of them... oo.." Her spine curls in interesting ways as Earl finds a knot.

"Oh a little pressure here," he focuses his steady attentions on that knot "Ivory? How odd, they don't seem a thing alike"

She squirms, happily. "They play video games together."

"And Ivory can be... shy... I think, yes, I think it is good."

"Well, your brother will take care of him then..." A delighted almost wolfish smile as she squirms under his finger "Now ,love, don't let the knot shift too far on me or I'll lose my focus in helping with it" Of course it may already be helped "Better?"

"Aye."

"Good" Earl moves the hair away from the back of her neck, and then kisses her gently on that same spot, warm lips on cool skin, "Then the massage class was worth it."

"Mmm-hmm."

A low chuckle "I know you enjoy the silence but forgive me if I get chatty?"

"I like it when you talk."

"Kind" He smiles and runs fingers over her , more for his own pleasure than a massage this time "Lots of things going on at the farm. Apparently sidhe are more welcome than before, but chiefly the Liams, Beaumayns and Scathach. Quite a change regardless. They still don't recognize titles and any sidhe who visits is warned they're likely be called Mister or Miss. Another Centaur appears to be near there, somehow evading the farm wards... but Buck swears she's real, and attractive. They've checked him for Bedlam. He's fine...."

"Mmm. What is that new centaur wearing?"

"Wearing? To hear Buck, she's sex on four hooves with some kind of cinched up plaid shirt one day, or a crop top that says 'Pride of Iowa' other days. Lets her hair flow long and loose... a blonde. He swears she could be a DEbuke, except we don't have any centaurs in the immediate bloodline"

Zara grins. "Ah." Her tone is very, very mild.

A brow, "is this one of those things you know, but for one reason or nohter i shall not know, and because I love you, I shall trust you to handle everything if it goes wrong? Or is this something you can share?"

"Mmm. Surprised you haven't guessed."

"I say, good for her."

"Good for her?" A brow knit

A blink "Oh no.. no she wouldn't?"

Brow. "No?"

"It's just... Zara, he's a fledge, she's the Chief. It's... improper" a blush. Oh now who's victorian??

"Feh. If there's a midriff, passion matters."

"Well, it's just very... I mean.. the Katherine the Great Jokes will fly"

"Centaurs are not horses."

"And one does not make such jokes about a lady. Imagine what could have been said about I and thee?"

"Well, no I guess not ... " At her further comment, he looks more contrite "And probably has been, though to be fair the family at the farm , if they've said anything untoward regarding us they've had the the good manners to keep it behind washlines"

"And in whispers .. IF" He sighs 'But.. still, a fledge?"

"He is no childling."

"And he knows not the power dynamic, in her masque."

"What pressure is there but the call of a beautiful and willing partner?"

"Zara..." A suspicious note slips into his tone, "You wouldn't have advised my Favorite cousin to 'gather rosebuds while she may?'"

"Moi?"

"Vous" he replies

"Earl, I am in my summer clothes... though, mm, not for long. My dreams tease me with memories of Autumn. Perhaps I shall endeavour to gather my harvest, nonetheless.

A fond smile slips into his lips and eyes even as he tries for a dramatic tone, "Do not pretend your summer thorns are any less cutting than your autumn blood, my lady witch. I know the trumpets that keen happily in your head when you triumph even vicariously, playing notes as soft as winds and victorious as a parade. Under July moons I've seen you shimmer as you connived like the romantic you are. And I would reach to consider restraining you only to find myself cut to the quick of my heart...I have learned wisdom from such delicious barbs. As if your summer clothes were a sign of helplessness. Hmmph" But his eyes dance and he cannot truly chastise, not when praise will bubble out

"Besides, it seems they think me not the Great Corrupter, of late. Hmph." She leans up to kiss him.

A long savoring kiss is enjoined then he parts, "So part of this is so you can remind them of your deed name and how you don't give up any name lightly?" oh delight in her seeming pride pricked and her reaction

"And care for my friend. She denies herself overmuch."

"mmm well, take a look at the other troll freeholders. Seems like they're either expected to have a life partner all figured out, or languish in spinsterhood"

"Aye. Hardly healthy."

"Fine, you have my approval to corrupt my cousin" A stroke of her cheek "NOt that I could stop you"