#dreaming

"You will become Sluagh again as you leave" he says "Each of your kiths turned back."

Then he turns to Earl and clasps his hand "For you, what Can I offer but... " A whisper into Earl's ear, then another whisper on top of that

Resigned sigh. "So it must be."

Argh. If she were a Sluagh NOW she'd KNOW

Earl DOES look surprised, then "Thank you, those are both..very generous." And he bows

He moves to Agenthe, and kisses her on the lips, and..she embraces him returning it passionately, then says " I would keep you with me if I could but you are bound by things greater than Oath"

"I am.." She says, parting breathless "And I need to be a troll again, cookie or no. I just want to learn from this."

"you did that without my boon" Lord Exile says "Da'an has seen to it. As has a heart more open than you claim to but do have." He whispers in her ear, and then parts "You will be a troll again. " He says "You ask nothing more?"

"Your surprise is welcome, but no I just want to remember enough to set things right with that girl...and to do right by my farm"

He nods "Very well. You will change back to a troll when you leave and I'll change none of you anymore" He sighs "Your courts back too though you may keep a bit of spring and autumn in your memory yet"

"We may not be here again in this lifetime... "

"Likely never, but who knows, in a future one? What is posible. " He looks at Aganthe

"All things are possible." With the blithe optimism of Spring.

"Let's go, young ones" The sidhe wilder directs, "Before we get distracted."

A tug at Zara's sleeve, a killamous offers up the book at scroll. Lore that can be returned, and a scroll of change that will not last

Easy enough here - the water still calls, for one.

She places a hand on her chest. "Thank you."

It returns the gesture, and the three leave. Music follows them... her sisters saying farewell, a song of happy meetings and sad partings

Across a temporary trod, that might one day be strong

Zara sings a song of goodbye, until her voice fails in her throat.

And it does... withering to a whisper... and their songs grow louder? No.. her ears sharper.. she feels the teeth, sharp and strong fall from her mouth leaving black gums.

Earl's horns have shifted.. less demonic.. his wings gone, he's a bit taller again..

Zara fusses, pulling at the sheer dress.

The sidhe becomes blue and tall, a trolless...

"Well, let's move on, shall we?" She says "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you two"

"What trouble? It was an adventure!"

Though she is very much hiding in the lee of her Earl.

"Oh now I know I'm a grump again" the woman says "Because frankly, that whole thing seemed a lot of hassle" but she glances back over her shoulder and for just a moment her old face gets a smug little smile

"Feh, you enjoyed it too."

"She's a nice girl, Earl, but she could use just a smidge less sass" The Hearth says

"Not one smidge less" Earl shakes his head "She's got the perfect amount of Sass"

Agnes smiles, and moves on with energy as they move on

Zara smiles.

Earl whispers to Zara "I know we're in the Dreaming but mmm"

"Mm?"

"is she just moving easier or is it just me?"

"Could be, aye..." Hey, if she holds the book just-so, she gets coverage.

Earl looks at her, and then, with a breath, takes off jacket (With holes in the back) and slips it around her. It's something like a trench coat

On her, it drags on the silver. But her Gentleman is rewarded with a kiss.

He returns it. And there is some heat in it. he apologizes after the ardent exchange "Ah, I blame it on lingering spring"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Earl. Oh, She whispers. you don't. Remember that mmm?" From ahead

"Mm?"

"mmm" Earl blushes

amazing how the same set of letters mashed together can come in so many varieties

And they move on. Then suddenly, something flies across the Trod, a draconic shadow!

Zara looks up!

“Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson" The Giant Bronte fusses .

She lands next to them with a huff

"Darling! I have a new book for you!"

Bronte was ready to fuss and really let her friend have it, worrying her so, but at this news she looks eager "Flattery will get you everywhere"