#odyssey

Ah, Citrine was distracted by the hairgems and left the axe alone.

"Those are almost as big as your head, ninny."

She hangs one around her neck! CHIME!

Art covers up a laugh.

Gwen comes out of the shower redressed and wearing her Monserit T shirt and shorts

"Oh, that's your turn, Thistle. At least in a building this size, there will be no issues with hot water."

"At home, I must get up almost at dawn for hope of a warm shower." He smiles, a little homesick perhaps.

"Right, my turn. And yeah, it can be tough sometimes. Old landlord, we'd run out of hot water too."

"Better now, though? That fellow isn't taking advantage of you and the tenants?"

"I guess I've been spoiled at the hold"

"I like the new guy. He's a satyr."

"HUGE. Gwen-sized."

"A pro wreslter " A nod

Gwen flumps on the nearest furniture than can support her

There is a sofa!

"Ok, getting clean!" She bips off to the shower herself.

Citrine is admiring herself in the mirror!

A blink "Okay, cool hair, Squire"

He blushes! "Thistle helped, it was... getting tangled... um, the charms are hers..."

A little flustered.

"And you can just call me Art, honest."

"if you're more comfy with it" She says "But you better get used to it in formal situations. And she did a good job"

"Maybe I can just avoid formal situations."

"It doesn't... it doesn't feel quite right. Like a shirtcollar that is over starched, or a poorly sized boot. Maybe I am not meant to hold a title."

A blink "You want LESS title?"

"Geez, Gwen, I don't know. It's new and... " he sighs. "I'm still anxious."

"The sooner we get home, the better."

"Oh. About their lieges... " A nod "ANd I agree, different reasons" She sighs "I miss my dogs. I worry about my mom. I miss Briar for pete's sake"

"I'm glad we took this trip together. Even if due to unpleasant reasons... I have truly enjoyed our travels."

She says "Now that's something I agree with too. Worry about home aside, I'll always be proud of the good we did on the island. " A grin "And I wouldn't have missed Thistle getting her mark for the world." A pause 'that cabbie was still out to kill us though."

"Oh! We should ask her for a ride in the morning. I checked the schedules, and Knight's Heart, if we can find one willing, would take a good 6 hours.. a train maybe 10 hours, but we have the view of the fall colors... a flight to Rochester and a cab ride over, or we're only an hour from River Vale, and could take the trod?"

A blink "A ride...with her. Art, I gottta tell you, you may not want tobe a squire but suicide's not the answer"

PING!
DING!
BLOOP!

Three text messages!

Gwen reaches over and smiles "We got the go ahead. "

"They are well?" Clear relief.

"Asking" She texts back something

She looks at the answer then says "She thinks the worst is over but folks did just recover. Might want to make a mask, we can take another day if we are worried"

"I'm for going, Art" She says

"We need to go, yes."

"But, we will see what Thistle says. She only just got a glimpse of Goblin Town. And there are the museums, too..."

"Yeah" A nod "I suppose. But i bet she misses her mom and Muppet"

"But we will ask."

"That silly dog." He laughs a little, thinking of him.

"Oh he's got Thistle's number, that one. Wore her down won her affection, not that she'd admit it. And I won't tease about it to her. He's her idjit. She only says that to those she really cares for"

For some reason, this makes him blush.

Good She thinks with almost Ailil slyness Then you're catching on

"How are you doing in the dog department? "

A BLINK, his thoughts disrupted. "I have all the pets I need, thankyou!"

"If I find myself in need of companionship, there is always Fornax." A little smile.

"Can't blame me for trying. Can't let my skills get rusty" A smirk "And yeah, Fornax and you get each other"