#elsewhere

While SHE is unseen, and pours quietly, the smell does draw his attention from his painting, and he turns to see her, "There's my moon. It had been cloudy so long I had almost forgotten your light." he dressed up, wearing the cravat she likes on him along with a suitable jacket

"Thou hast caught me."

"In my defense, you caught me first" he cleans the brush, and then leaves it to approach her. The city skyline he's done is lovely, but also doted with witches flying in brooms, and ghosts walking the streets. Normal people are portrayed as glaring sunlight spots, almost as if they were loud and obnoxious, but with light rather than sound.

She extends a hand, reaching out to caress his cheek.

He bends down so she might, and reaches out his own hand placing it at her waist lightly, as if he might dance away with her from this place.

What is THIS? Behind his ear, there is a new scar. Healing, but there.

A slight frown.

"My Hunter."

"mm? Oh, that," he says "Tis naught. A memento of a recent adventure. One I would not have likely taken if Mr. DeVere wasn't in trouble."

Oh, that is a LOOK.

He ahems with the proper amount of contriteness "Sorry, dear.. it has to do with Chase's mortal family, and the attempt to learn of the situation there. "

"Mm-hmm."

"Tea? " he suggests as he bumps noses with her lightly "And I'll tell you more?"

"Thou best."

"Yes, love" He says, "Shall I pour? I brought a little of the cream you like" He guides her to a seat

"Pour, and spill it, Blue Boy."

His eyes sparkle with amusement at her stance, "I'd forgotten some night lilies had thorns." He does pour. And prepare, then takes his own seat and grows somber "It would appear that Hearth Kerri of Rivervale reminded my cousin that Chayse's family might be missing their daughter, and more. There was an argument, but Clem agreed to have Chase's family scoped out to see if they had existing kithain or kinian of her own and so on. The other elders asked Mr. DeVere to see to it. The mission went wrong, horribly wrong. There was a cold iron sculpture, he got pushed into it... there was also an autumn person, Chayse's mother' he takes a long sip "Mr. DeVere is wiley, but he went out like a light. I got a call to help rescue him."

Zara prickles.

"If I ever wondered where I got my complete lack of sense some days, I'm pretty sure I know now. Mr. DeVere HAD help, a kithain and kinain of the family, but as things went south he ordered them away. Because, of course, he could handle this. For once, he could not, and I can tell you that while he is recovered and safe, he is more than a little sour about this. He has his pride, and apparently for a sluagh to botch a mission of information gathering is offensive to them on all levels" He gives her a speculative look as if confirming this.

She nods.

"Well, he's got a burr up his britches about being rescued. I know he's grateful, but mmmph. ANyway, Chase's old family is NOT good for her. Not only is the mother banal, they never ever let her get dirty, which as you know, for a Witchtel soul, is like telling a Sluagh to avoid dusty spots with books. You'd think this would be good news for Clem and Buck, and it is, but then we had to rescue someone else too.. so the farm now has one of the Chosen" he says that with respect, "And we're scrambling to cover not just for one, but TWO people vanishing"

"Doable - Sallie Mae might be helpful, and August once he is done here."

"Indeed, I hate using Sally Mae a s a piggy bank, but there we are. How is August doing?"

"Less piggy bank, and more... logistical coordinator."

"August, bless his heart, is probably going to defend the Balor, too."

"The Nocker may have been enchanted into her passions, and off her head. So that... aye, it would not be her fault."

"August is .. defending Balor? Good grief. Why does he bother taking boats for travel when he can just walk there?" a shake of his head "Pardon, its just... I used to think I was a decent loving man, then I met August and realize I will always be more petty than he is"

She tosses up her hands.

he savors the tea, then says "I have no idea what to say to that. How are you doing love? You did not .. your texts indicated you hated this place."

A soft huff. "I do."

"What happened?" gently

"I was made a villain. Blamed for the carriages, my name - my name, Zara - shouted, defamed, the subject of stares."

"I was humiliated, subjected to sovereign, and imprisoned."

A pause. "They couldn't keep me, of course."

Earl's eyes have darkened, then "And have they made amends for this insult?"

"I have a boon with the Duke."

"And have... addressed... some others."

At that last he looks a bit proud "Of course. And you escaped. Good. I know how you feel about confinement"

"But some insults, well. I shall not likely ever be fond of this place."

"No, And that is THEIR loss. Were there any of worth here?"

"Some. Commoners, all."

"The Scatach included, I suppose."

"My sister has a crush."

"Commoners show sense; news at 11" He says sounding a bit like Clem, then a brow "Your sister has a crush on a Scathach? Interesting. I've met a few. They're actually a rather mobile house and with few delusions of perfection. It.. might be a good match. Does the poor fellow know, or is she as skittish as you were about romance at first?"

"Oh, no."

"No. She has concocted a shanda all on her own."

"And must needs either be bold and reckless, or suffer. I have advised her towards the former."

A sip, "Don't let Coradel know you advised that, she'll see it as a Fiona victory, and while I like her, she doesn't need the ego stroke"

"Well, Tzip is an eshu."

"Tzip is also convinced I would know naught of romantic struggles."