#scarsdale

obligatory ooff and a chuckle

"How are you holding up?" He strokes her face lightly, "You've been on guard mode. That's normally a troll thing and even for us it can get stressful."

She shrugs. "Been spending a lot of time scrying..."

"Have you scried on Paler recently?"

She bites on her lower lip and shakes her head.

"Not him, not directly, no."

"He sensed me. Saw me."

"He's scrying on you again," A frown, "Time for a replacement I think"

"You think he is?" She rubs the back of her neck. "My charm has been gone, aye..."

"You said he sensed you, oh.. wait, I get it. You were spying on others who happened to be with him" A sigh "Did he... use cantrips while you watched? "

"The first time, yes. I was veiled when I caught him with Golnaz, he didn't see me that time."

"I guess I still worry of his power. Sorry, I don't mean to be paranoid but sometimes I think it's a survival skil"

"Pretty sure he used grandeur on me, aye. And it was... overwhelming."

"The bastard."

"I know, I guess I worry he's trying to take over bit by bit any way and any chance he can," A frown then "Do you think he has any other enemies?"

"Well, the Eiluned..."

"Dougal hate Balor. Beaumayn hate Shadow Court."

"I doubt the Hollow has any love for him."

"I mean, more specific than house rivalries. We've looked at him as much as we dare. We've looked at his lackeys because they've come for us anyway, but he has to have enemies, specific to him. What he does? how he acts? There must be someone who wants him foiled as much as you do. Someone who you might be able to learn more from about him, or at least get resources from? We'd have to be careful, or it could be a trick or set up, but..what do you think? The enemy of my enemy is at least worth considering?"

She frowns but nods. "Likely sidhe, I would imagine."

"I do not wish to be drawn into a game of rivals... it needs be a true enemy, if that makes sense?"

"I can understand. You don't want to become a catspaw to someone just to gain advantage against Paler, but, it's something worth looking into I think. Read the omens or portents on the idea maybe?"

"Aye. Mayhaps."

"ANd maybe a sidhe's help isn't all together bad," A frown, "August would gladly help, but this could get ugly. Know any other sidhe with connections you trust?"

"I could... I dislike the idea of omening myself, but perhaps Emmit?"

"Bellamy owes me..."

"Bellamy? Oh, right" A nod, "And Uncle Emmit would be glad to. I think he's very fond of you as an apprentice even if he grumbles about how you would question the sun when it was trying to set"

"Well, why must it always do so?"

"I would ask him for charms, too, though I know that a great burden... perhaps for my parents, first?"

"You told me once that sometimes magic worked better for others than ones self, and that the noble reasons sometimes help noblier magics, or, I think it was you. So maybe"

"That also means I could not cast upon them..."

"And that's a down side" He nods "Okay. We'll see what we can do. So far, Golnaz is the only one who has shown an interest in me. I suppose I should be glad I'm beneath Paler's notice"

"So I should be fine or at least not a priority"

She nods, twining her fingers in with his. "Aye. Always better to be underestimated."

He smiles and twines fingers back

"I wish I could force the satyr out of the county as a whole, though. Bar his way."

"Keep an eye out. Maybe there's something he'll do that will anger the Count?"

A sigh. "Maybe."

"Hey," He raises his glass, "At least I have great lemonade and a lovely woman with me?"

"Now that? That is true."

A smile, "Very true."

"And we can do whatever we want for a few days yet. Friday, aye? Mayhaps you could join us for shabbos."

"I would like that," He says, then glances back at the yard and garden, "A shame I can't put touches on that I think you might like. More clinging ivy and night lilies"

"Mama likes sunflowers more than I can bear. And marigolds."

"Well, they are pretty if you're into sunlight."

"They're yellow."

"Not your favorite color even before you met a certain gold loving Eshu, I know," A smile, "I don't mind the sun, but only because it makes shadows get creative.

"

"I prefer the moon. But, well, the moon loves the sun and basks in his rays, nu?" She reaches up to caress his cheek.

"maybe I'm the sky, the right color for it, and I want for the moon's tender liberation after having had to endure the sun's yoke?" He takes her hand and kisses the palm