#kc_necropolis

In the Firnost Garden, a sluagh and a troll bask by moon light. T hey don't race from one trod to another, they don't have to watch their backs.

"And see? Well planted. Here, home, the Farm... one of them should take a trod..."

"I shall miss the secret grotto trod."

"Is it going somewhere?" He asks

"No. But its entrance is in Scarsdale..."

"I know, but it's a secret one we'll always have" Earl says and looks about the garden "I missed this place a bit. I think I must have painted parts of it more times than I have fingers"

"Mmm. The first time I saw you paint was here. Sassy was playing her violin..."

"I really should thank her sometime" Earl says with a smile, "It's so strange, it seems so long ago." He touches the scar on his horn.

A soft sigh and her fingertips touch the same scar. "Ages."

"We were so young then" A chuckle, but he tilts his head so she can touch more of it

"In a month, I shall be an adult."

"Legally, at least."

"Indeed," A look at her, "the others will want to throw a party, a big one. I can't say I blame them, but what do you want for your birthday?"

Her mouth twists. "I do not wish a large party, no."

"I'll try to discourage the others then, assuming they ask me. Something small if we can. "

"But No promises they'll listen to me"

"It seems an important birthday."

"It is. I know you've had some bad experiences the last time but... well.. I hope it hasn't soured all your birthdays for you?"

"Well. I suspect no body parts this time." She tries to make it a joke. It... does not succeed.

He puts an arm around her and squeezes gently

"Pretty much, yes where I waws thinking. "

"Aye."

"Tell you what, you let me know during the party when you want out, and I will flicker flash you, with or without me, to anywhere you want"

"Maybe less a party and more... a few people, and tea?"

"I wish..." She trails off.

"Rub my horn and make a wish, it might come true" Gentle smile

"That could be taken so wrong..."

A flash of a smile , a bit of a blush "I clearly need to cut down on my time in Fiona holds"

"Aye, so it seems."

"It just... it seems a shame there's no graduation for cyber school."

"Graduation eh? Mmm some do have it, you know? A gathering in a particular city or so on. Yours doesn't have that option?"

"Wait, that's like college. I guess not for high schools" Thoughtful

"Not really."

"Maybe we could arrange something, I bet August would have a few ideas."

"I know not..."

"Sounds like graduation calls to you more than the birthday, and it might not have as negative vibe foer you?"

"Well, you only graduate once..."

"Well, only high school once, because I know you're going to positively conquer Vasaar" he smiles

"Well, yes - but that'll be different!"

"It will" He grins

"And it's four years away..."

"We're gonna do it!" he assures, then says with all seriousness in his eyes
"Give us any chance - we'll take it
Read us any rule - we'll break it
We're gonna make our dreams come true...
Doin' it our way" at a slow dignified cadence.

A bemused sigh. "You."

Earl takes her hand and kisses it "Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated" A wink then, "Okay, I think you want a small birthday AND a celebration for your graduation. I don't see any reason we can't try for that. And I know your friends and family would be happy to help"

"Mayhaps. I think they do mail me a diploma..."

"Well, no reason we can't do something with it on our end. " He ponders then chuckles at an idea.

"What?"

"Well, let's say we picked a place, a kind of make shift mystery house, and somewhere in it was your diploma, hidden to find. Clues and riddles littered about. Probably not what you had in mind, but it popped into my head"

Her mouth pulls ot the side and she shrugs.

"You might enjoy?"