#earthrunes

Earl seeks out Zara

She probably already knows what he's been up to but he feels he should at least go forward to tell her anyway. There's a spring in his step.

Ah. There are TWO cups of tea ready in the library.

He knocks so softly on the door frame then enters in properly "my hind? I grovel before you"

A grin on his face "Pardon, perhaps that's a bit much. I'm in a very good mood, love"

He takes a seat and... wonders if his lady is there?

"Grovelling, Hunter mine?"

"Well, i WAS worried you might come at me with disapproving brow when you found out that I had spoken to Coradel without you. "

Zara steeples her fingertips, deep in the shadows of the wingback chair. "Aye?"

"Oh there you are" He wonders sometimes if she put the chair there for maximum shadow options, "Aye. She has agreed to sell us some land, both options are open. She thought the one with the fewer trees at first, but when I explained our resources, her concerns were mollified. "

A little scrunch of her eyebrows. "You told her about the key?"

"Yes i.." a realization "May have... did actually. " Sheepishly "it was so she wouldn't worry about the trees needing clearing. Coradel is remarkably environmentally aware. "

A wistful sigh. "Alright."

"I should have restrained myself with the details to her, but I was..enthused," he admits "She asked if she could mention it to August or wanted me to, I told her that you might want that honor for yourself."

"She plans to come by later after I've 'surprised' you, though she was wise enough to use the term humorously"

"The Key was a delightful secret to hold, but... was it not always a thing to be revealed, eventually?"

"And to be revealed, as we claim our home...."

"Our home" he nods, "I feel almost embarrassingly giddy thinking of it. Did you get a chance to see the rough works I made? I Thought you might mix and match a bit, of course. " A beat "I'm not responsible for the yellow monster"

"Shalimar." Huff.

"I am desirous of a tower."

"As am I, and I know you want a Widow's Walk if possible. That said, are we leaning more classical victorian, or neo-gothic? Or..."

"Queen Anne?" Who knew sluagh could do puppy dog eyes?

Some would say the puppy looks a touch ill, but Earl's tastes have always been atypical, and dammit, Zara is adorable, "New World Queen Anne?"

Then a smile "You know what, whatever style of Queen Anne you want. just give me tall ceilings so I don't bump my head?"

"Tall ceilings are mandatory... save, oh, I would dearly love some kind of... crawlway, or desolate, hidden chamber..."

"Cozy, nu?"

"I understand, I even understand that we might strive for a secret passage from one area to another. So when guests become tedious you can avoid them "

OH do her eyes light up!

And his own smile slips free at that "If you like, I can even make paintings for the purpose of hiding the entry and exit ways? It is cliche perhaps, but a classic never really goes out of style, and a portrait of say Agathe Christie looking smug while having tea with a knowing Mary Shelley would I think fit well?" A smile "Or whatever you like "

"Perhaps a portrait of ourselves? Tis the trope..."

"Want me to make it so our eyes follow people distrustfully as they move?" He offers

A gummy grin, delighted.

"Then it will be so" A smile "I have few demands for my side of things so what suits you will suit me fine. I need a room to work my art, I need most areas with tall ceilings, and I need you" He assures then adds "A particularly huge tub that fits my frame would also be nice. Eagle Claw perhaps? But I suppose furniture isn't an immediate concern"

"Tubs are part of the house. Mm. Thy studio shall need excellent light."

"The only place that will unless we plan to grow plants inside"

"A solarium?"

"Our style is more a Lunarium, but" A smile "I suppose it could serve both "

"Well, aye. My thought was it could welcome the Moon easily, too."

He nods "And you're right. It might be pleasant now and then" He ponders "So... Solorium, Widow's walk, a proper tower, a hidden chamber, an art gallery, the usual library, a living area, parlor, bedrooms... bathroom with a large tub," He seems to visualize much "Secret passage, at least one, and.. mmm how large should we make the kitchen? I suppose it need not be sizable"

"Think you my mother shall never visit?"

"And if we are to have children..." She closes her eyes, her heart swooping at the notion.

"Your mother, you're right, she'll have opinions" The mention of children causes his own heart to race in weird ways. Good ways, he decides, "Yes, best to have at least five bedrooms in the house? And... more kitchen space than I originally thought. We may have to pour a bit more glamour and dross in this than was expected for the full effect"

"Tis a powerful treasure. I mind not a good investment."

"A garage? I'm.. not a fan of cars myself ,and if we're close to the freehold we can leave our vehicles here"

Siiiigh. "So practical, my luftmensch!"

She leans forward, stealing a peck on his cheek.

He beams at the kiss "A DeBuke trait, I fear. Hopefully any children we have will evade the worst of it"

"Oh, the Schwartzes are no fools, either."

"Good taste in boyfriends there I hear" a sip of his tea

"That too."