#elsewhere

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"why can't I go?" Jacob protests with a hiss.

"You weren't supposed to know about it," earl says

"the farm isn't the big important secret DeBukes think it is. Even satyrs know about it now... once a satyr knows, it's not a secret" the sluagh says "Boggans at least gossip, but satyrs just blurt"

The little boy says this with confidence

"Well, you're the expert, and since you know so much you don't really need to go trod hopping there at all, do you?" Earl says, wondering how he slipped. Must be him. Zara wouldn't.

"I can't, it's locked" offended. "Selfish what it is" his little arms crossed

"you do take after your sister at times," Earl says.

"No need to be mean," the boy says hurt.

"I just mean Zara tends to see a locked door as a challenge and a 'do not enter ' sign as a snub" the troll smiles fondly.

"if sluagh werent' meant to go where we will, we wouldn't be able to squirm" the boy says , perhaps reciting.

"The Eshu have a similar saying about them," Earl says "Seems like trolls are the only ones who guard doors. Mmm"

"Yeah, well, we forgive you," Jacob says loftily "especially if you take me a long."

Earl sighs "I guess i'll just have to endure without your forgiveness."

Jacob glares, then saunters off.

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a trail of flower petals leads to a single, perfect pomegranate on a silk pillow, right in the middle Earl's bed...

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Earl follows the trail... curious, and seeing the pomenngranite, says "mmm I must stay in the underworld for as many seeds as I eat?" He picks it up and looks about

Zara is hard to find if she does not wish to be seen... but candles are lit, and the faint scent of turned earth lingers...

"My lady? I would dwell in darkness with you all the days of the year if you so desired" He takes a deep bite.

the glamour fuels him, crunch, a lustier bite, "In fact, my love... come to me, I'll cover you from cruel light under the canopy of my body. I will be the clouds that thunder and thrill at the notion of you below me"

And... out snuffs the candle.

Followed by a cool hand laid upon his.

Her hand i taken, almost seized really, and then her knuckles pressed against his lips as if he were tasting each bone under the skin "I burn..." He explains

No words in response - but kisses as cool as a winter brook, yielding flesh in the darkness. Why, one would think she planned for this....

Well, Earl is not one to make such cliche comments as grabbing the bull then getting the horns, or reaping a world wind. But then, no comments are being made period...his mouth over hers, and she can feel his desire in every muscle, exploding in his every nerve, and heating his blood. They have been together before, but the intensity is... well, it might sate even her..curious nature.

(End scene)