#elsewhere

She still doesn't like this area, but it was SO gratifying getting Madame Mirror out.

Then, Zara text Earl, her hind loves her still and aches for her, and that too is gratifying.

Then he teased her, and she looks forward to his arrival. But, will she hide from him, or wait more where he can find her easily, or hunt the hunter?

She isn't sure yet. And the days grow shorter, so her desire to be contrary has certainly risen.

Slip has returned, "Please forgive me for deserting you early, Miss Zara."

"Childlings are often ignored even when we're right there, or sent away, and the seer is kind of a snob" his eyes are curious "I saw the most curious sidhe leaving the place. Did you?"

Zara's lips curl into a cat's smile. "No, I didn't. Could you tell me the tale?"

At that, the boy grows excited, and perhaps he suspects, but he also plays along, "She seemed much like a sidhe, yet something also felt different. Her voile glittered like a hundred reflective facets... is that the word? facet? I think it is. She had silver hair, and grey eyes. I find it a bit blinding to be honest, but wilder boys will probably fall over themselves to know her"

"She walked through the halls towards an exit sometime ago, the thanes made way and she seemed to want to see everything as she went"

That smile lingers. "Well, there is much beauty in the world to see, nu?"

"Even if not everyone can truly appreciate the artistry of a snot spiderweb."

He preens a bit "It really does take more skill than folks know to get it in that shape. My thanks for noticing"

"Still, it sounds as if the mystery lady is off on a grand adventure. Good for her."

"Yes,one has to get out and about to see the world, even we sluagh. Caully taught me that. She's my friend" Then he adds "Your sister and Baron August helped save her. I am tempted to get them gifts. Do THEY like snot webs?"

"Alas, no. But they have been cultivated to like tea. They are not complete barbarians."

"Oh, I can do that.. and yes, there's good in them, they just don't always understand our lessons showing them that" wistful

"It can be such a task, teaching others basic manners. But it is worth it, in the end. Our kith is pedagogical by nature."

"I don't know that word" he admits "Pedagoggle?"

"It means that we are teachers. We educate."

"oh" the boy nods "I need to learn that word" He makes a note to himself that he will "The more i know, the more I can teach, right miss zara?"

"Absolutely."

The boy beams, when he tilts his head and sniffs.

Zara smells it too. Paints?

And tea?

And.. oh Earl is somewhere here in the castle

A small smile. That was quick.

"Some of those smells I don't know" Slip admits, "The tea smells different. and there's more"

"Pu-erh."

"I have never had that" slip says

And soft music is playing...

"perfect stranger" by Depeche Mode

Set very softly

Is her hunter setting bait and a trap?

Oh, most certainly.

(Curiosity roll 😉

(No need 😛 )

"If you will excuse me..."

"Of course, shall I direct others away from that direction, as a courtesy t o you?" He offers. He's well behaved, snot webs aside

"Keep an eye on the nobles. I suspect there is entertainment in the near future."

And Zara slips away, seeking the source of the music.

wandering through the halls, her keen senses are not fooled by the side breezes or faint echoes. Earl has picked an area of the castle/hold that is less used, more private... does he even have permission to be here? Perhaps he does not care.

A spare room with a large window, storage and clutter making a mini maze, and there is a rickety table with tea steeping , while Earl paints the city scape of Toronto. Music plays softly from his phone, a Depeche Mode play list

Zara settles in to watch him, content to be unseen - until the Raven must needs croak in satisfaction. Traitor.

The Raven seems building up to it. She is here. He is here. Can an Oathbird want more to sing?

But that is not yet.

Earl paints, smooth strokes in hands that never took to sword as well as they did paint brush. A creature of shade in old buildings when he was raised in the bright sunlight of open farms.

She couldn't bring herself to beg him to come directly, not to this place with its overbearing sidhe and terrible tower, with its casual, infuriating arrogance and unquestioning bigotry... but oh, she had missed her Hunter, had missed her home.

This is a welcome balm.

The tea is almost ready.

She sets to prepare two cups - she knows just how Earl likes his.