#earthrunes

Earl insisted on flicker flashing them there, of course. There is something in the male psyche that they must upon time to time flex what muscles they have, figuratively magical ones or otherwise. Also trolls are terrible at being useless, it eats at them to just do nothing. Tell them to take it easy, they often tense. Tell them to stand and guard a wall- they can be content for 'guard' is an action. And even Earl, a most atypical troll, is not immune to the need for purpose.

Zara fusses, threatening to hurt him if he hurts himself...

"It's a flicker flash, not a sprint" He assures her gently, "The waters at Fenix were amazing, and little Ariel's spring magics have restored me. Besides," he points out "You miss your library."

"Aye... but yet... oh, oh, I shall ask Delores for the good tea, nu?"

She should be worrying about her rogue shadow... but her focus has not strayed far from Earl, especially with Siv restored.

"If it will keep me in your good graces," he says with a fondness.

"Ah, but thou hast seen - I told thee, of the pearls she has sequestered?"

"Some of the rarest and most expensive teas in the world, you said, though, I noticed, it was the 'rare' part that intrigued more than the cost" The troll takes her hand and kisses her knuckles "Though I enjoy tea, I worry such rich creations suit a true expert such as yourself better. I remember the first time the family offered you sweet tea when you asked for tea. That was .. interesting."

A delicate nose-wrinkle.

"It was smoothed over, and apologies were made when Hearth Agnes found out Beth Annie had made the mistake," A smile "hearth training clearly isn't for everyone. Still, I think a celebration of one of the rare teas fits given how we were victorious. The people we helped"

"Aye. But all would have been lost, futile, had I..." Fuss. She touches his abdomen, lightly.

"but I am fine, or will be entire" Earl assures her not flinching as he might have days ago at even a soft touch "And Siv is restored, and Magnus has set things up with mortal authorities not mentioning 'fae' at all, and House Liam has seen to the safety of dreamers."

"And those who might yet dream again." He adds, "And Tantalus will not threaten anyone in this life time"

"May his next life cause no harm."

"Mote it so" He agrees firmly.

Zara hears her before Earl does, of course

Another sluagh, and one not trying_ to eavesdrop but rather quiet as is her nature.

"Velvet?"

"Pardon, Miss Zara" The sluagh girl says stepping more fully out of the shadows , "I feel wretched for intruding upon your return so abruptly, but I believe there is a matter of concern to you"

"It is no intrusion. What is it?" Zara keeps a hand on Earl, as if worried he might cease to be without contact.

"I trust your paramour to be educated in matters of delicacy" She says "Your pardon, Sir Earl."

"I quite understand, Squire. Time with your fine kith has taught me some delicacy" He assures

"He is an apt student."

Earl blushes just a bit

Squire Velvet says "There was a chimera in the library last night, with a strong resemblance to yourself. Where your locks, in fae eyes, are pale, hers are dark as shadow and raven's feather. I was, of course, curious at this. In fact, at first I did not relize she was a chimera, but she cast no shadow. She bore garb celebrating worship of something called a 'Dee Peech ee mode?' a breath "She had fine small teeth, spoke at the loudest whisper normally, but could speak louder still... and seemed quite bold with some opinions though I did not hear them all."

Her eyes widen and then a soft groan.

"Hell."

Earl blinks "Zara?"

"Verily," Velvet sighs

Perhaps she spent too much time around Vince last night

"Ah... it... my shadow escaped."

Earl looks down at her feet, Earth Runes is not bright at least not this part of it but there are lights and... he sees no shadow, or at least, if there is one it is but a speck of a shadow

"Am I wrong in guessing this could be, or even has become, a problem?" Earl adds processing.

"Ah..." Her reluctance is as telling as an answer.

"And you've been busy tending me," earl frowns slightly, "I'm sorry, Zara. had I known I'd have told you to hunt, that I would be fine"

At that trollish bit of commentary, Velvet rolls her eyes slightly. Clearly gentleman paramours can be remarkably dense

"Feh. No. I shall tend it... aye, soon."

"in possibly unrelated news, borderline gossip even," Velvet says "It would appear that a fine purple sash has gone missing from the Baroness' Coradel's wardrobe."

Earl looks at Zara, "Didn't you comment once that that shade was wasted on a redhead?"

She pinks and frowns.

"Velvet... is there.. what else did she do?"

"She.. spoke to my liege. I did not hear it all," A glance to Earl, then back to Zara "nothing vulgar by fiona hold standards." She does not, kindly, say 'by sluagh standards what it might be.

She hides her face with her hands.

Earl does not groan, but his expression does grow slightly martyred.

Then he gives Zara a squeeze realizing as annoying as this is for him, it's mortifying for her or might be "I'm sorry, love. We all have shadows and they are... well, they can be shallow"

"Aye. Tis inauspicious to soothsay thyself - even a shadow..."

"Just so," Velvet says "Though, in truth, what little I heard of indicated that the shadow had a sense of style...far too gregarious, of course, but i did overhear both a slight rebuke upon Baron August about missed opportunities now passed, and ..." more perplexed "Some conversation about a spray can and Count Jude's domain."

Another muted groan.

"Tis possible the winds of the dreaming or the cutting edge of banality have destroyed or reduced her by now" Velvet says "I do apologize for being the bearer of such," A breath "disconcerting events, but i thought it better you learn from me"

"Aye. I do appreciate..."