#elsewhere

Friday the 13th, a day of DREAD!

Unless you're Zara.

And then, there is CELEBRATION.

(And cake.)

"Properly aged," Delores says setting the cake down, "And big enough for three slaugh. We also have another cake that is ..ah fresher, for others."

"Polite, aye."

That being said, Zara is trying VERY hard not to beam.

It can be a struggle!

"One tries," The Steward says "Now, I also have thirteen 'properly aged' cupcakes which I was going to leave out for the sluagh chldlings so they'd also enjoy this holiday, IF you wish? Squire Velvet mentioned your tradition seems to be of interest to them."

"It would not do to have their placement too obvious, aye? Stolen treats are sweeter."

"Oh dear, is that what we want to encourage? " Delores teases but relents "Let's hope no non sluagh children find them though. I shall put them where few others go. I think Melia has taken a liking to that old dusty vent., Where as Lily with her sticky fingers prefers high places."

A conspiratorial smirk.

"Oh my word, one's missing already," Delores blinks at her tray

Zara rattles, her laughter like the wind in cattails.

"Oh dear," Delores hurumphs "Well, I'll TRY to hide the others, and make them work for it "

"You're the best, Delores."

"I try, enjoy your day, my dear," She slides a newspaper over to enjoy while tea and cake are had.

(Darn, should be a friday) 🙂

Sniff-snort.

"I see someone's using that printing press we found," An amused look from Earl

He moves to his trueheart and kisses her on the forehead "Happy Friday the 13th, my hart."

"I am found, my hunter."

"And ever worth hunting TO find" He says taking a spot near her, "So, after your cake and drink and a ...truly terrible news article... what would you like to do tonight? Snuggle up by the balefire, be left totally abandoned in a dark squalid location with a book, or perhaps go out tonight?"

"....out?"

"Well, the Vintage Drive thru has a showing of the Adam's Family Values... or , if you like, there's an escape room tour where we try to slip out with a couple of other people, and, of course, we could walk by your river for a picnic."

"OR... the lady may name her preference" He offers.

"River picnic." A firm nod.

"River Picnic it is," Earl nods, and is glad he had some proper materials ready for such.

She leans in close to Earl's ear, and whispers suggestions about dessert after the picnic.

And here, we thought this was Zara's pseudo-birthday!

Earl grins and blushes, and for a moment, Zara sees something in his eyes

(Perception plus Empathy or Subterfuge)

/roll 6

Earl KNOWS something she doesn't (He himself would admit that is rare) but this is beyond some minor surprise. He has something big he's looking forward to.

Not that her whisper was something to discount!

She narrows her eyes and curls around him. "Oh, thou hast plans...."

"I smell secrets upon thee."

"Actually, my love, YOU have plans, but I'll say more by the river," He promises.

Yes, there's a mystery afoot... and it's not just his usual gift.

"Feh!"

It's almost enough to make her wolf down her slice of cake, how unseemly!

There is, barring a house fire, never hasty tea slurping.

But soon, the two of them are with picnic basket, and moving outside to see HER river.

Zara twines her arm with Earl's, but she's distracted - senses alert, looking for signs of something.

They walk, but rather than stop at a spot in the shadow of the hold immediate, or at the bank proper, Earl keeps them going a bit. Odd time for a stretch of the legs like this, though the river is as sublime as always.

There is an odd building sense of anticipation in her, as if she's hearing notes to a movie's introduction, or the first line of a book and expects good things to follow.

SHe's practically vibrating with anticipation - there is a surprise.

She knows it.