#earthrunes

"I should take notes" Siv says only half joking

"That way, they know it is appreciated and shall do it again."

Zara sets the flowers up on the desk - no water, they shall be allowed to die and dry.

"Oh... you're not going to keep them?" Siv says missing the sluagh core of it

"What? I intend to treasure them..."

"But they'll wither fast won't they?"

"Oh, aye! They shall die most beautifully. It says something on the ephemeral nature of life and beauty both, nu? And I shall mind their husks in safe keeping..."

"Oh" Siv says "I...guess?" Not so sure but then "it's poetical"

"Aye!" Delighted.

Her friend's delight is contagious "It's nice when they prove they listen and notice isn't it?"

"It is." One flower is stolen from the bunch, and threaded into her hair.

Siv smiles at that

Zara returns to her tea, content.

"He's.. not bad at it, you know? I mean.. obviously not, but... I've been studying ardent suitors and bashful beloveds and so on. Courtly love. I think Earl could give Jonas a few tips" She says

"Mm. Perhaps we arrange a meeting?"

"Oh I don't know. Won't the boys get fussy if we set up a mentorship program between them? Men can be quite insecure"

"They can. SO they mustn't know the purpose."

"This sounds a touch underhanded, sly, and deceptive..." A thought then "I'm in."

Zara grins.

A grin back "Okay, what hook ? Maybe... Jonas turns into an animal when Earl needs a live model of one?"

"Mmm... mayhaps."

"I could intrude on the session and make a distressingly public display of affection which may spur conversation..."

"Ooo would you? I mean, it would be a big favor to me"

"You are my friend, I wish to help."

"Also, this gives you an excuse to keep Earl on his toes and maybe surprise him back" Siv guesses

"True"

Siv says "Dont' worry, if anyone asks, I won't mention that part. Aye, you only acted scandalously as a favor to me... and I leave you to decide who learns the truth of it"

A smile.

"I read the book... " Siv grins "Something to be said for reflecting innocence to the world and just happening to be where your besotted suitor can find you and introduce you to worldly delights you, of course being a lady, had no idea existed. " A fond look "Truth, I do like stiring Jonas to forget just enough of his rational mind that he needs must.. well, be less rational with me in his clutches" Wistful "I love a good clutching."

A little sniff that is quite close to a laugh.

A light blush at that, "Zara, you being such a romantic, have you never given thought to joining house Fiona yourself?"

"Fiona?" Blink and a headshake. "Never, no."

"I do not bend knee, I shall not be bound. But even then... nay, if any house, I would choose EIluned."

"They have such marvelous secrets..."

"Oh zara," She says "But they're so... ah, I don't know, bad encounter with one. I guess , still biased, but they seem so treacherous"

"Some would say the same of sluagh."

"Well, sluagh just seem to have a different code, they're still darn loyal TO taht code"

"Oh, truth in that statement.."

"Mind you, not sure i'm willing to say the same about Eiluned. But that's my hang up" An admission "At least they're not Balor or Leanhaun." A nose wrinkle "Not sure I like Ailil either but Dame Claire seems all right"

"I care not for any of the Shadow Court houses. I have seen too much of their doings. At least some Ailil are merely unseelie..."

"Aye. Leanhaun seem to ravage for kicks to a man.. worse than Balor in some ways, faithless... they claim to love an artist by propeling him or her to greatness.. then crush them... and leave them hollowed out." A scowl "Tis worse than cruelty, tis dragging us all closer to oblivion ..they would snuff out imagination itself to slake their thirsts"

"Tis worse than Ravaging, from what I have seen, aye... burned out from the inside."

A nod "I've infiltrated a Leanhaun hold. Oh not deep, and not long, but I saw enough to know that their charisma is like a sweet poison.. however it tastes, you don't want to swallow it" A frown "But aye, Shadow houses are... mmm not sure. Some of the non sshadow houses seem more tolerable, but each still has a bit of a rotter you know? Varich.. know a lovely lady.. .but the blatant kithism... and Daireann take vengance to the point of 2 eyes for one, and a hand to boot. No balance. The worst of the Aesin? Slavers and seeing no shame in it."

"Aye. But the Seelie houses are not so free of... well. Fine, aye. Fiona's worst sin seems to be debauchery."

"Oh, Fiona has its dark sides, and Debauchery can be as bad as Gwydions' wounded honor or a Liam's Zeal gone wrong," She says "I will give credit, they have told me of different philosphies in the house and how some of our.. pardon, THEIR for now, unseelie bend things. Fiona have been known to do terrible things in the name of love when it was merely desire sugar coated. Lord Hunthaze was a tale to warn the ages. "

"Oh?"

"AH, ,Lord Hunthaze is not someone the Lions speak of... perhaps it's shame, perhaps it's wanting his name to be 'unsung' but he arrived at a time of the Accordance War... and , like many Fiona, he sided with the Commoners.. great hero, right? But oh, he remembered a lost commoner love he was sure was reborn, and sure enough, when he encountered the lady commoner he thought was her, he discovered she was married and sworn to truehearts to another. Now both this woman and her husband fought for the cause under him. But his gratitude was clouded by his jealousy. He tried to woo the lady, get her to break her vow... she did not. And so, he arranged to have her husband sent on a dangerous mission, and when his troop sent for reinforcements... welll.. he made sure it arrived late, and prepared to 'comfort' the widow, who was now available"

A soft hiss. "Uriah and Bathsheba."

"Uriah ..from Star Trek?" Siv says

"...from the Torah?"