#scarsdale

"He knew it, but I am not sure he can really understand it"

"No. He doesn't love aught but himself."

"He certainly has no love for his children. I wish... I wish I could fix that. As much as... Golnaz, nu? I wish I could fix that. But mayhaps, with Moth, mayhaps I can help her?"

"Well, " A kiss on her cheek, "In time, we'll find away to help Ginny slip free of his bonds, but don't let him use her like bait to catch you in amber of his own alchemy."

"I was very lucky, even with what misfortunes I had."

"True, not every girl gets a tall blond gentile wrapped around her finger" Innocent look

A soft chuff and she pokes his side. And then pecks him on the cheek.

a smile

"But Mama and Papa love me. And the Uncles. And.... Miriam, too, I think. That's luck. Love conquers all. So maybe Moth can find shelter there, even if I can't be a parent. I am not sure how to be a sister yet, but it seems.... it seems I've made a start."

"And, truth, were we not blood - I'd like her anyways. She is most pleasant company, pooka or no."

"That's true, she's ..sly in her humor, rather than overt from what I've seen. You know her better than I, but she's less joybuzzery ?"

"Aye. And quite the artist!"

"Yes, well, moths love textiles I guess it translates."

"Oh, they do! Ha!"

"And silk is from moths, too..."

A smile, "Does she comment on your work? I mean, you're really very good."

"She seems to like it. I am working on an unbirthday present for her. I mean, I still haven't gotten her name, let alone a birthday... so..." She shrugs.

"I think she likes Ginny because it's not from him."

"She might. That would make sense..."

"And I think you helped her find that one" A reminder with a smile

"Well, she is a Virginia Tiger. Or something much like one."

"Yes" he says then considers, "Maybe I should paint you together? You two could dress up in period dresses and pose at a tea table or something?"

"Oh! You think she would?"

"She might fit one of my tea-dresses.."

"Whatever you like, Victorian etc."

"I'll ask her. I love posing for you...." A happy sigh.

"...Do you have portraits of me hidden in that vault?"

A deep purple blush sets in fast

"You do!"

"I.. uh..." Blush "a few."

"Sometimes...." A pause, trying to find the words. "You make me feel like I'm pretty, you know that?"

Confusion, "But You are pretty."

A peck on the cheek. "See?"

a sort of smile "I'm not sure I always do. But okay. "

"Just accept it, aye. My artist. My poet. My knight."

"My lady, my hind, my muse" A kiss

A happy sigh. "I am fortune's daughter."

A grin, "I think I'm the fortunate one. Oh wait, luck is only part of it. I worked hard to make you mine."

"I hope you do not tire of me, now that I am a captured heart."

"Zara Schwartz , there is one thing you never are, whether it's dragging me off on an adventure to some part of Concordia I've never seen or pouring over a book for hours trying to decrpyt some cipher, and that's boring. You have a zest for life and eyes so full of wonder I get caught up in the pull of you. In other lives you were the Riverwitch, but even now I'm happily caught in the undertow of you"

"Do you ever wonder if we knew each other before? I know, I know, not everything needs to be a past life..."

"I think so, or..at least I knew of you. Maybe this is what we've been building towards? A guardian giant looks down on the River below and for a moment, only a moment, he sees her...and then she's gone again... but he is fascinated. Then in another life, a footpad, soft and sure, slips past the walls of a castle to 'liberate' something from a lord... she notices a bored guard's son, she scoffs at his inattentiveness.... and starts to slip by until she turns to see what he's been drawing while bored... as caught by the beauty of it. His talent holds her for a moment, then she blushes, turns away to finish the job. She leaves with her prize, but also a memory of he who never saw her..."

"And so on, each life, a near meeting, each self, closer and closer to the encounter... until, now, where we finally collide in the most wonderful of ways"

"I like that story, aye. I... wait... there was... an artist, once, I was to meet. I remember not the artist, only that I sought one... there was a war on."

"You were in a war were you hu..." A blush "Obviously it's a bit late now to worry isn't it?"

"Well, twas a past life..."

Yup, blushing "troll."

She nuzzles the spot where his jaw and neck meet, then plants a cool kiss. "I love when you worry."

"Oh, if you like worriers no wonder I'm sexy to you. " A smile and a kiss back.

"That, and you know, everything else. I could make a sonnet dedicated to thine hands, let alone the rest..."