#fenixtj

A sigh "Ellie's hair is PERFECT " Envy

"I shan't tease."

"Good" Ariel says "thank you. Salma's one of my best friends. She and Ellie. Salma's the smaart one of us, nto that any are dumb. She reads the best in TWO Languages... and we're the one that sometimes have to pry her out of the book to go on adventures. Unless the adventure is FOR a new book.. then she goes along right quick"

Earl chuckles "I know the type"

Zara smiles. "She sounds like a girl after my own heart. Have you enough books here?"

"Well, if you ask me we got plenty, if you ask Salma there's 'Un terrible vacío!'" she says "And she says that VERY emphaticly" An idea "Earl, could I ask you a favor after all if you feel you owe us?"

"You can ask" he smiles

"Could you do a painting of Ellie, Salma and me together? maybe the boys too?"

"A NORMAL one" she says "not a scary one"

"mroop" Ramona adds.

Earl smirks "Scary Is my normal but okay"

"Thanks . You should get one strong dose of spring magic every day for at least three days" The satyress says with that ordering tone healers sometimes get

"Well, let this Salma know if she needs books, to contact me."

"Safe to say she probably will but I 'll tell her!" A smile

And off Ariel trots

Earl watches her go, then looks at Zara "My gut is hurting a lot less now. Little grasshoper is strong in spring magic"

"Well, she's a DeBuke."

"I still wouldn't risk solid food today... but, mayhaps, matzoh ball soup tomorrow."

"I would love that" he says and strokes her hand "Are you okay? You've been fussing about me, but that had to be heavy for you"

"I... I take no joy in death, you know this. But da'an.... da'an laid judgement."

"To call such fire is a risk, and I own it. You cannot control it."

"All you did was ask Da'an to give him what he earned on his own... it's powerful working, but yes da'an laid judgement" A soft squeeze of that same hand "Fitting, maybe, that he who never saw a mortal woman as worth anything as a person should die by their outrage. The Daughters of Eve got their due"

"Maenads, aye."

"Though... the Balor.. I saw him fall, aye - but do we know his fate?"

"Siv might know" Earl says "Darn near killed me"

"Far too close." She closes her eyes and rests her head on his shoulder.

"Sorry if I scared you" He props his head against hers "hey, is August okay?"

"He is fussing, blaming himself for your hurt. I shall try to amend it, for he saved thee."

"How about we cut to the chase and We amend it" he says

"And yes.. if he hadnt been there, I wouldn't have had a chance"

A gentle, gentle squeeze. "I know."

"So we'll both work on amending it. It's not his fault I got stabbed with Cold Iron. He's a good friend, but he's almost troll like in his attempt to claim responsiblity for guarding everyone."

"Aye."

"And trolls can be so tedious" He adds

a bit of humor?

She baps him lightly on the arm.

A genuine smile slips out "You're going to have to check on the others you know yes? Make sure Caspian puts a cork in some of the story, maybe talk to Magnus, and see how Siv is doing?"

Siiiigh. "Later."

"I say this not to pester, but because I worry I'll grow used to hogging you to myself" But he kisses her "Very well, later"

"Ah. We shall handle that when it comes." She nestles against his side, sharing the bed. "Finish your soup."

"Yes, love" And he sips, both notice it sits easier after Ariel's help. "Not as good as your matzoh ball soup but still very nice"

"Wise man."

"Like Solomon I am" A nod and sip

"Feh!"

"Okay, no harem" He promises

"All that poisoning would get tedious, aye."

A soft choke on his soup, but not from wounds

"noted" he smiles lovingly..and they share time together

(End Scene)

The fall out from the raids is flying still. The mortals are safe, but the boggans are excited and Jessica finds her County the source of all sorts of discussion