#scarsdale

"And I should have told you before I went into hiding. It's just.. well, I didn't think I could ever hide from you anyway"

"not that I'd want to" He adds with a bit of a smile

She draws his hand close, brushing cool lips against his knuckles. "I would find thee."

"Now - as for this book! They will seek you again."

He smiles as she claims his hand and her lips brush his fingers, so slender compared to most of his kith "You would ,and that brings me joy." Then "Yes, I suspect so. And that whammy you laid on him may make you an enemy too. Not that you need more. " Worried

"If he realizes it was me, and... if he can get anyone to believe him."

"Nonetheless. My thought is to save you with truth. To say honestly to all seekers that you no longer own the book."

"Yes, but who could I give it to that would be... I mean, if I'm right about it, that's a lot of temptation to hand over to anyone"

"Ah - I have a thought, there. Tell them it was claimed by a dragon."

"A dragon? I..." He pauses "What, that dragon?"

"or ..are you talking Bronte?"

A wry smile. "It wouldn't be a lie."

"It wouldn't, but unless he's Gwydion I doubt he can tell per se. " A thought "mm. It's an idea. "

"And one must needs plan for a Gwydion, or a command."

"But if it is not yours, and you do not know where it is... what force can they bring to bear?"

"If he were Varich I would be protected" He looks to the tattoo on his wrist.

"I.. mm point. I trust you, of course. So.. if it were to go missing, say, some one, not saying who, 'stole' it from me?"

"Another possibility, aye."

"I trust you, and I do not want you thinking I ever intended to leave you out"

"I can be... capricious. And I fear I have not... I have spent, perhaps, an overabundance of time within the wards at home'

"Feeling cooped again?" He says a soft squeeze

"A bit. I feel... diminished."

He kens her immediately, banality, glamour

At a fine level - good health, so to speak.

"You seem balanced in...well, neither bedlam nor banality seems ready to claim you. That's not what you're talking about. Your'e not happy are you?" A worried look

"I suppose I might not be.."

A bite of his lip "Hirim is going to kill me" He mutters

"Hirim?"

"Yes, becausse of what I'm going to tell you. I love you, and if you weant to quest or adventure, then you should. Take precautions, don't be stupid- but your'e not stupid so I'm not so worried about that, but go quest, young Zara." He says

A faint sniff.

"And..if it's okay, take me along."

"Hirim is not the one keeping me at home."

"Oh? Am.. am I?" He pauses "Wait, I can't be the reason. I'm not that impressive"

A soft sigh.

A hapless helpless shrug

"Sorry, Zara. I just now had to have it explained that Doyle might be up to something"

"I just..." she shakes her head. "I've school, and lessons with Emmit, and the times I get to see you, and the library..."

"It's... fine, aye... all things I love..."

"I never want what you love to feel like a cage to you, Zara"

"I..." suddenly he smiles at something "I'm a aprt of of all the things you love. "

She gently hip-checks him. "Of course you are."

A wider wolf grin "yes, but it's nice to hear. Zara Schwartz Looooooovess me." slight bump back and wink

A soft rasp of a laugh.