#elsewhere

"Ah, aye. Matzoh ball soup. Jewish penicillin."

"Ah, like chicken noodle?"

"But better."

"But better?" A grin, "you sound as certain of that as the tides"

"Well, it is known."

"Is is now" His eyes sparkle with something but he dare not mock "And I dare not doubt"

"You are allowed doubt. That is your right." An aloof tone. Zara can be as much of a princess as Coradel, in her way.

"Well, in my defense I have been wrong before"

"Mama's soup is not a thing to be wrong about."

"I simply must try it sometime" He nods "If it's as good as this tea, I will surely see the light"

Another appreciative sip

"Well, if you take ill - I promise this, send word, and I shall make arrangements."

"You are too generous," He says "But I accept this with gratitude"

"Easy generosity. And, mayhaps, a bit of stubborn pride."

"The most becoming sort of pride in a lady, I think" A nod and sip. Tea is delightful. The satyr is not so brash as to monopolize the conversation, yet stays entertaining and relevant.

And later, the tour is given. he does say "Not a bean bag in sight I see"

"Oh!"

"Vashti delighted in it so could I deny her?"

"Another 'Easy Generosity'?" A knowing smile

A wry smile and a gentle shrug.

"Wise kindness" He agrees and admires the paintings Earl has made while here, "His art work is bolder... this one of the rivernymph swallowing the moon on the tip of her fingers. It has a ..sensual element that I like"

Zara manages to hide her blush. "He has quite the artistic vision."

"And , I suspect, a muse" The grump says "But yes, amazing talent." And of course, her book collection, "is that the little match stick girl, done by hand?"

"Oh! Aye! You must see the illustrations..." She draws it out and... why, who knew a sluagh could chatter?

But he wouldn't comment on her gregariousness for the world. He lilstens attentively, and the story of how it was aquirred , what she shares, intrigues "Made in Denmark? It can't get any more perfect unless Mr. Anderson himself returned to do it"

A murmur of agreement - and oh, he simply MUST borrow this book of poems... and this translation of Balzac...

"If you're sure?" he holds it with revererence

"I insist!"

"Then I am honored, but oh, I should go...you have a gift of your own to open from AUgust and I knwo you have been putting it off out of courtesy. Also, I suspect Earl will return shortly from the task I sent him"

Task? Earl was out to get the mail..wait.. where DID he go?

"Please send my regards to the Barony, aye?"

"Aye," He says and bows "I shall. Don't be a stranger." He holds the borrowed book to his chest, and vanishes

Just in time for Earl to come in... and with the most wonderful smells

Sniff... "I do declare, Mine Hunter... what bringest thou?"

"Heavy stuff" He says, and he a troll... that smell it.s... mama?

Into the kitchen she races, and sees Earl setting down food with purple tops, and a small container of 'regular' motzah ball soup

"Oh!"

She sweeps over to hug him!

"Sir Bachdion texted me, said as my former mentor, he was commanding me to make haste to Hannah and tell her you could use some of her stuff for this very special Friday..." Earl wipes his brow "So I did, I mean, I was polite.." Gets hugged and he laughs "Yeah, I went along because I thougght it was a great idea "

"But i should have relized she was going to bury me. We've got enough here for a week full of fridays, let alone just one"

"Oh, to suffer so."

"Har har" He whirls her around, "From hugs to sarcasm, so mercurial, my moon?"

"Ever=changing."

"Is not the moon as silver as Mercury? Does not Artemis change her face?"

"And I love each face you wear," He kisses her soundly as he sets her down to her tip toes, then he says "But does it make you happy, to have Hannah's food for this very lucky day?"

"Oui." Kiss. "Aye" Kiss. "Ja"... Who knew she knew 13 words for yes? And a kiss for each!

Well, this is his kind of math

Several kisses later, "Well, I am swayed" Delight "Go oopen the gift from August. I'll serve the food"

"I shall. Why, how did he know?" She retrieves the package.

"I think you told him and he texted me fast, if you mean Sir Bachdion. If you mean how did August know about the thirteenth? Well, he is quite the conscientious friend , maybe he remembered you mentioning something?"