#kc_necropolis

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"Well, THAT was awkward" earl says to Zara

"A bit. I wonder if Emerson sabotaged his dinner a'purpose?"

"I don't think so, but we both know his poker face is second to none"

"Aye."

"And of course, Miss CC would not accept him throwing the contest..."

"Her pride would not stand..."

"I think it's sweet."

"They are a cute couple... can I say that about grumps?"

"I think so."

"I hope when you're a fine old crone and I'm an excentric old man we have that kind of relationship- Playful, competitive"

"We could be thus, now, nu?" Hip-bump.

A laugh and bump back light "Problem there is I want you to win every time. But I'll try to be trouble now and then. " not mentioning he knows shee will be

"Good. Can't let me be bored."

"Speaking of which, Mairsey, marisy? Forgot her name, caught me in the hallway and apologized for her 'arrogant presumption'" He says "What's all that about?"

"Ah. They were trying to move me into thy room."

"What?" he starts "why? I mean, I love you, but we already established Sluagh need their own spaces. I.." Realization "But they wouldn't know that. Oh my. Sometimes I think Earth Runes needs more than you and Velvet"

"It is amended, now."

"Though it seems there is a room nearer to thine..."

"I'm in a garret, how are their rooms near to..well you said nearer... so what, a few meters closer?"

"Ah, no, there is a former storage room off the tower stairs."

"What? What did it store?"

"Oh, the old Baron's things."

"It has been collecting dust for some time."

"Oh, Earl, it is crooked."

"Wait, crooked?" His eyes grow even mroe interested "Oh that... that could be interesting to work with"

"Aye, crooked and out of the way... further from my library, mind..."

"oh that's.. mmm tricky trade off. I DO like the idea of you closer and you're not a hobbling crone ..yet" a smile "But.. the choice is yours. You have to be comfortable"

And he seems truly okay with it. He wants her closer, but there's no taking it personally if she prefers one spot over the other. A year ago he might have read too much into it

"I know. I, of course, want both."

A chuckle "Okay, even I think that might be asking a bit much. " He ponders "Mmm think Velvet would want a spot closer to the library ? SHe's august's squire but she respects the library"

"She does..."

He lets her decide if that's a good idea or not

"Want to stop at Firnost for a drink or perhaps to pay respects to the library?"

"We could!"

They enter in and the jukebox cranks up to the tune of 'welcome back' from the Welcome Back Kotter tv show

Earl actually smiles

Chuff, headshake.

The gauntlets await them.

Earl smiles "Tea ala Firnost?"

"Delighted."

The gaunlets wave hello and promptly make two teas, taking care to follow at least a basic sluagh style. No one pissess of the sluagh here

And soon the tea is ready . Earl looks around handing Zara her cup "God, it really began here didn't it? Us I mean, WE Began here... as a we"

"With Sassafras playing violin in the garden. You didn't even see me watching you paint."

"Not the first time.. " A pause "maybe not the second third or fourth time' A chuckle "How would I know? But I'm going to say eventually"

"Even then, you were my muse"

"Even then, you saw me."

"You were so different. So unique. You stood out in the shadows to me, like a shaft of moonlight. Half a d ozen sidhe women blazing like garish sun and ... I barely saw them because there you were. A wingback throne and a book in your lap

"

He admires and sips his tea