#earthrunes

He is, when not jesting, a marvelous dancer, as one learns after enough years at court. A soft spin, and drawing her close enough to speak, as he leans over to chat with her. "You had a part in this adventure. Even one who doesn't read can read between the lines. Oh, I shan't pry. But I must say, Victory suits you, Miss Librarian - you wear it like a cloak, and you are stunning today garbed in triumph."

She pinks. "You must keep it a secret, Dear Lion. Tis best remembered in sounds no louder than the fall of a paw...."

Siv says to Earl "Come on, Earl, let's cut a rug a bit. Otherwise you'll just stare at her like you're an old man staring at your late love's grave."

"Well..yeah" earl says "that's how you're supposed to sta-" but he gets pulled onto the dance floor

He carefully curls a hand around the small of her back, so that he can better dip her, of course, and draws her close, the better to whisper too - though the closest he can get is a deep rumbly purr. Turning across the dance floor so that when he leans in next to speak to her, his mane falls just so to obscure their faces, as they spin past Earl. "I shall only ask one boon of thee, Lady Librarian, the mighty, the mistress of mystery."

"You may ask Dear Lion... and we shall see, nu?" Coyly.

Earl dances, but despite the shapely troll woman before him, he keeps sneaking peeks at Zara then sighing

"Oh you big goof." Siv says "you don't have to worry about vince"

"The wounds of war are numerous and deep. Surely you heard the tale of how one brave lion defeated a hydra wielding tommy-guns in each of it's myriad maws, all single-pawed? But a single kiss upon my cheek, shall salve the salvos of a thousand soldiers..."

"I trust zara" earl says "With..." He searches for the words "Everything that I am."

Siv says "Ooo good line. Did you try that on her?"

Earl blushes

A soft rasp of near-laughter. "A small boon."

"But a precious one!"

And a cool, chaste brush of her lips. "There, fair shadow-stalker."

And he gives himself a spin. "She thinks I'm cuuuuuuuuute!" A hand to his heart, and a swoon nearly to the floor. "Alas, I die, I have had that which is the sweetest, and never dare hope to taste such again..."

"Scoundrel!" A smile, and she glides back to Earl.

"He's all yours, Zara, he's done nothing but sigh and pine for you as you'd been away for years" Siv says

He lets her slide from his fingers, and gives Earl a wink, finally claiming a dance from Siv. "Oh Captain, I am heartbroken... my, you look lovely tonight."

Earl blushes, notices Vince's wink, and says to Zara "Symon's into taxidermy right? he ever work with big cats?"

"As he ought."

Siv laughs at something, then she moves to Vince "Oh fine, Vince. You got me, but after this I must go join my boy friend who has been oh so good"

"He'll have you all night, I merely claim the time of one dance... though someday, you simply must give me the chance to show you what can be done in three minutes..." He purrs.

More laughter and..heck, a kiss on Vince's lips from Siv, "You are a gem. Thank you for making me feel welcome here"

Earl takes Zara's hand and admits "She's not far wrong. She's a good dancer, but..." He admits "I miss my river view"

"Cruel captain, stealing from me the touch of silken pages and spider's breath! Now I will need to extort another. When I end up stuffed and mounted, you remember that you were the cause." He scolds her.

Siv says "Should it happen, I shall display your taxidermed leonaine form in my boudair ,so at least in the here after you have a nice view"

"Oh, love, we must needs visit my river tomorrow..."

"There, we may cool our feet and read poetry..." She whispers plans to him, excitedly.

"It has been waaay too long since we've been there hasn't it?" Earl says "Yes, I like it"

"As long as you stroke me, mane to tail, I will pose there until the sun dies."

"Too long, aye."

"LONG strokes" Siv promises

ANd her lashes flutter

Earl smiles and takes one of Zara's hand and kisses the palm "Then that will be our celebration"

And the party goes on

(end Scene)