#elsewhere

"Surely an unfortunate coincidence." Earl has her arm.

"Surely"

The Baron leads them out... and Earl, arm in arm with her, walks along auntil they are gone not just from the hold, but the library. And only once they are off campus does he ask "Are you okay? You got so tense for a second."

"I worry about what he could do with one of your paintings...."

"He... is like me. More like your Uncle. More powerful in that art than I, at least."

Earl almost misses a step "He.. oh. Wow. I thought most nobles.. well, you know, hired out or something"

"Most practitioners are sidhe. They hold it close. And he is an Eiluned."

"Well, Alamdine seems nice enough" Earl says

"Almandine is not one."

"Oh right. Eiluned but not.. not like you" he says "wait, he.. the baron could sense you couldn't he? you could him so.. Wow. no wonder you tensed"

"I couldn't before... I think it was learning the last that did it."

"My lady is a force, but I know you prefer to be a hidden one." He says "What can I do to support?"

"Be wary. He will be most subtle."

"I fear I have been seen. And Eiluned are curious as cats..." Pot. Kettle.

He is too good a boyfriend to bring that up ...directly "They do pry a great deal." he says "Maybe something interesting will distract him?"

"Maybe. Alas, I doubt the boggan will do it..."

"You know, maybe our satyr neighbor will flirt with him? If we spread a rumor that she's actually a spy, he might even go for it and buy us time" straight faced

A soft chuff.

A soft squeeze "Speaking of those we can influence- Jacob is getting sassy if he willfully tried to impersonate you. Think it's relation for the cotton candy oil he can't bring himself to cross?"

"Well, that has been addressed with her..."

"I'm thinking he needs childlings his own age as lightning rods..eer friends"

"Distractions. Aye."

"Possibly up the the category of victim"

"If it is the right companion, they shall prank right back..."

"Mmm Rivervale has that boy..Connor? he's a pooka."

"Aye..."

"And both may access the Farm..."

"It is about ninety minutes by car."

"mmm possible. yes. And I would be happy to vanish him upon request"

"True... but expensive."

"Yes mmm" He ponders

"Or we could see if Chaldea is done with her quest"

"She has potential, aye."

"I like the energy" he admits

"Connor is a darling. He needs friends his own age - and Gerd is now a wilder."

"mmm ok. Sounds like it mgiht work for both of them."

"Aye..."

"Oh... I... " as they come home only to see a nude figure sunbathing on the ledge next door.

"Ah. The neighbors."

He averts his eyes. "Ah yes. "

"Do say hello. I cannot shout so far."

"Ah... Good day" he says

Blushing lightly

"Hi, Neighbors" She beams.

Zara waves, then gestures at her mouth and shrugs.

"Got it!" She says then "I mean, sorry got it. " A laugh "I'm Ginger. Gabby says she knows you?"

"She does," Earl says

Zara nods. She turns her hands into a "book," opening them.

"Oh darn it. I owe her 20 bucks. I thought she was yankng our chain. Well, nice to meet you. Oh, if you guys need suntan lotion sometime let me know. I ended up getting like a year supply"

She sighs "And I think it's about tobecome obsolete"