#earthrunes

And there are conversations between the old maids (Death to anyone who words it THAT way)

"A korred, I thought they were extinct but Antoinite seems nice. "

"She seems to think herself a bit above standard maid work." Another says "Weeks off for questing every season? "

"Oh we all want that now and then"

"Flora's a hard worker"

"Flora's terrifyingly.. unpleasant to look at , forgive me"

"She gets the work done. I think she's even speeding things up by eating the refuse"

"They're all slower than we boggans"

"Why DID the Steward take non boggans? Slows down the process"

"Oh listen to you" Charity says "Rollo's a thane, and a good one. What if only trolls had that job? And we're trying to keep others from HELPING? How unbogganly is THAT"

hurumphs and embarrassed looks both

Then Charity says "That said, doesn't Ivanka have the most unfortunate name in these times?"

Oh many agreements

..............

Earl is sweating nervously "I feel like I cheated on her"

"That's insane" Dame Leonora says "You'd never cheat on Zara. She knows THAT"

The sidhe chases Earlly down the art gallery path at a brisk walk to keep up with his long legs, "Maybe, but , she VALUES what we have, the togetherness..." He protests.

"Earl, it HAPPENED to happen. It was all impulse. It happens" She says "She'll understand that you and I... you know" She nudges

He looks at her "I even enjoyed it"

"Of COURSE you enjoyed it" She huffs "What's not to enjoy ? It was exciting, invigorating, blood bumping heart pounding reckless abandon"

"Could you keep your voice down?" Earl pleads. "I need to tell her. I don't want to tell everyone else."

"Tell her.. Earl, you didn't cheat on her." She says

He makes a sour face

"You didn't," She says "We had an adventure together, it turned itno a quest. "

"I didn't even bring her a souviner or a treasure or a momento.. ." He frowns "I always do that."

"Oh my god , is that what this is about?" Leonora says "Because she missed out you feel you have to get her something?"

"it's not about the THING, it's about sharing the experience with her," Earl says "And I would be hurt if she quested without letting me know about it."

"We didn't see it coming" She reminds "how could she be.. oh my gawd trolls"

"So yes, I get momentos, treasures, pens, or books from a location" he says "And share them with her to show that even when i was away, and we couldn't be togetheer, I was thinking of her"

"Okay," She says "That is remarkably sweet, but..." A blink "Pens?"

"Nevermind the pens" he says "She prefers to get her own of those. The point is I didn't even think of getting something this time. I've let her down. I'm a bad paramour"

Leonora facepalms

"I should have known you wouldn't understand" He scowls

"What, because I'm a Fiona?" her gaze pops dangerously "Watch it, Corn Knight. I feel loyalty as strongly as you, just differently"

He grumbles then says "i'm sorry, but yes, this bothers me"

"And will it bother her?" The sidhe girl asks

"I.. think it might ,and that eats at me" Earl sighs

"Clearly" Leonora says torn between an 'aww that 's sweet' and a rolling of her eyes. Neither would help "Fine. We get her a gift. I'll buy it, say I owe it to you. I don't remembeer much, but you saved my life "

"We saved each other's lives" He reminds

"Yeah she doesn't have to know that part" Leonora says

"She's already well off, no offense, Leonora." he says

"Oh she has well off money. .I Have Well DAMN money" Leo points out

"Yeah, but buying my way out by asking a rich friend seems so bourgeois" He says

"That means.. Middle Class.. Earl? You ARE Middle class... maybe. So it works" She says "Besides, you will still offer the other part..by passing the planes or what not to get where ever.. now, where's a city she loved in Europe? London?"

"Well, yes, oh she also loved Prague" he says

"Oh right.. fine. I will get you a stay the finest hotel in Prague... for Valentine's day"

He looks..tempted. Maybe it's the unseelie talking but... "Wait, not the finest. Find the oldest"

"the OLDEST?" She blinks

"Especially if it's near a cemetery" He says

"A CEMETERY?" Confusion "A library I can understand ..."