#earthrunes

"Merrily? Mmm" A surprised expression "I guess chipperness is relative"

"He thinks it IS hers."

"Because it was found in her hold and might have belonged to her mentor and guardian I suppose" She says "Trolls can be very linear thinkers"

"I found it, not he."

A nod "In the room he was lent by her. I can see why he was muddled, but he was wrong to insist before you could even explore them. You should go to him, and inform him that as your paramour, he is supposed to fight on your behalf, not hers. That he should be ready to take on a dozen enemies if need be to defend your honor and serve thy will. " She does not appear to be joking "Love conquers all. No wonder you're angry."

"Nay."

"Nay?" A pause

"I should not have to go to him, to beg him to place me before her!"

"No, don't beg, command." A nod "Insist you are Zara Freaking Scwhartz and he has pledged his heart to you, then he will keep that pledge. "

An audible sulk.

"Oh that blue booby, doesn't he realize.." A sigh "I see why you're vexed. You have made him such an important part of your universe, it is right he also have you as the center of his. What woman does not need to be worshiped just a bit? We are all of us, pagan goddesses at heart, and our affections are not to be taken for granted even by honorable men"

"Yet he is an honorable man, and you love him. So yes, I say you are in your right to demand and command of him this. he is thick, and trollish, but I repeat myself, so it maybe you will have to be blunt. We do not always understand complexity"

"I shall not go to him!"

"I am not the one who needs to apologize!"

At the loud whisper she nods

"Did I say you should apologize? Even once?" A brow

"...nay."

"then kindly do not whisper such words in my mouth" Siv says "It is he should apologize. I merely state that you may have to make it clear to him . He knows you are upset. it sets him to scurry, but the solution may evade him." A pause "Normally he's rather intelligent"

"Then he must needs figure it out, or he is too dull to be my paramour!"

"Ah, and the bashful beloved issues a challenge" Siv nods "now I see where it stands."

"Instead, he pines in his garret, and paints. I have spied upon him."

"Acheillies sulks in his tent" Bronte chirps.

Siv notices this admission of spying, and nods "Do you think, perhaps the solid wall of shadow lends him to think you will not see him?"

"Nay."

"it would not? "

"No. He should come."

"But he does not."

A nod "He should come, but perhaps in a way he is already pleading?" SHe goes on "Two paintings has he made. The punisher who faces a river goddess' divine fury and the painting seems to indicate he deserves it. Another painting shows two great clumsy hands trying to patch a night lily back together.. tell me, Zara, if art were words, might this not be an apology, a desire to show to you and the world his remorse?"

"Nay!"

"Nay?" Curious "You do not believe they reveal remorse, or you do not find his choice of language suitable?

"They comfort him, perhaps."

"Ah, so when you scried on him he looked ..comfortable."

"Nay."

A thought "Well, he should probably come to you then" She nods

"Aye. But he has not."

"He will" She says "But..sometimes men can be timid"

"Feh."

"You think I speak about Earl alone? Jonas, smart fellow, brave enough to keep me from fading at risk of his own life, fights like a tiger sometimes as a tiger... but is he appraoching my parents to mention he wants to do right by me? NOOOo.. the big wimp."

"If he cared, he would come."

Footsteps. Familar ones

Earl's

A soft sound of distress.

Siv didn't hear it at first "What's wrong?"

It is very nearly a 'meep.'

"Zara?" Earl's voice says near the door "Can we talk?"

Siv whispers to Zara "tap my hand if you're not here"

No tap.

Shadows swirl.

Earl takes a breath, and steps into the shadows swirling

They rise, and shift - at once tugging at him and caressing - do they mean to draw him in or scare him away?