#elsewhere

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Earl Takes Zara's hand "Okay, gather a few things your'e going to want with you."

"I hate this. It feels like when I was cooped up before..."

"i'm sorry, I'm afraid everyone feels a bit like that. We changelings have advantages in our arts at least." He assures then tilts his head "Have you decided where you want to stay? Earth Runes or Scarsdale for this? I want wherever will make you happier. I'd also offer the Farm but somehow I doubt that's in the running" a weak smile

"Scarsdale is difficult for you..."

"I'll find a work around" he says "If that's what you want"

"Mmph." Unhappy noise.

"Marzanna might put me up?"

"The Farm has space, so does Earth Ru - " A pause. "Firnost has trods to them all, nu?"

"Zara, if you want to go to Earth Runes to be with your library, let's go to Earth Runes. Your family will understand"

"We have a room."

"I know" He says taking her hands "But don't base this on me, but your happiness, or as close as you can find to it"

She pulls away, flitting around the room - restless and fretful.

"You're torn?"

"I don't know where I wish to go."

He looks at her, and grows quiet

She sits down on the bed with a soft harrumph.

And her boyfriend looks her over, "Fine. Here's what will happen. You will stay at Scarsdale, and catch up with Hannah and Aaron and the Uncles and fuss at them if they don't take care of themselves. For a week. I will see if Marzana can put me up in a room and promise to be quiet. Or I'll get a hotel, or.. get my 3 nights at Alabaster Hollow. I was knighted there. I won't be refused. But I will be visiting here so often your family will be sick of me. Then, in a week's end. If you are still torn, I will decide again where you will go the week after that. " A nod of let it be so

Eyebrow, all a-bristle. "YOU will decide where I go?"

He takes her hands and looks down at her a bristle, "Why not? if you being so torn that you rip yourself to pieces is the consequence? If you know, declare, and I am yours to command. But if you do not know, then I will offer my judgement. DOes it truly anger you that I would take lead when you hesitate and suffer from t hat hesitation?"

"You do not decide for me." Defiant chin, pulling her hands away again.

"I do not" He nods and drops to a knee before her

"So what is your choice, my love?"

"Earth Runes." Oh, she has to be contrary.

"Scarsdale for Passover."

He nods "It will be so. Am I permitted to join you for both? "

Supplicant to the lady who directs the very rotation of his own heart.

"...Aye."

He puts a hand over his heart, finger splayed "I thank you."

"Marzanna may lock you in a garrett."

She gets up, less fretful and now collecting items to pack.

"Should I tell her my first Garrett locking is a right you've reserved?"

"That may help."

"SHe's a romantic, she'll understand" He nods

And he rises to help pack, or at least act as a porter for her to load down

She is stacking books on the bed.

(Bronte might have a few to add)

Indeed, Olgar notices that Bronte is very.. 'helpful' with must haves. Or her ideas of them.

"Bronte, we have a copy of that one at Earth Runes." He points out

"Oh, that library copy is a second edition..."

Earl says "Yes, but surely that's similar enough to be..." Too late he realizes he's about to invite either a lecture, or a huff, but he can't stop now "pretty much the same"

Zara and Bronte lock eyes, and manage to sigh in unison.

A mutter "Forgive me, Librarian, I have sinned. It has been 2 weeks since my last ignorant statement."

good natured mutter mind you

"I... suppose... we could leave it here for the nonce."

"If it's going to send Bronte into a tizzy I guess I can endure the weight" Straight faced "And spare her"

"I have always relied on the kindness of strangers" Bronte uses her tail like a fan.

"You are a gent."

"I had excellent tutors" He smiles at Zara, and mimes tipping a hat to Bronte.

"Aye. Years of work."