#scarsdale

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Earl has loved the gifts, but the wistful sighs and glances he gives Zara when they are alone. It's the same look he's given her in crowds, but when alone? odd.

Zara looks up from her book, quizzical. "Love?"

"Just, well, " A shrug "I miss ...being with you" He tries to word it discretely.

Then adds "you know, kissing you, holding you.."A blush . As if there were an invisible wall

"...Aye? You do? But I am right here?"

"Yeah,, but..." A shrug "Hannukah" as if that explains it

"I have given myself to thee. Mayhaps I should have worn a bow and skipped the geld..."

She marks the book with a ribbon and sets it aside.

A blink "Ah..." Yup. troll in a headlights look , perhaps as he imagines her in just a bow.

"Wait, I thought on.. well, it's a holy week so I thought..." blushing purple rather adorably

"Oh! Oh, love... no. It isn't a fast - this is a celebration, nu? Of survival, and miracles, and latkes."

She slips off of the bed and crosses over to his chair, plunking down on his lap.

His eyes light up a bit when she's in his lap again for the first time in quite a few days "Wait, are you saying every time we were alone in a hallway, I could have been kissing you guilt free? that every time we were here in the room reading, I could have had you against me while we read? that there's no prohibition against all that and.. uhm more" Well, no wonder he's been so reserved when it's the two of them!

"Well, not with Mama downstairs! I think she must have a secret sluagh ancestor with her hearing..."

She leans in to kiss his cheek. "Now, say, the little grotto through the tree..."

He wraps his arms around her and lays a slow lingering kiss. When they part, "I feel like an idiot" sheepishly

She nestles against him, laying her cheek against his shoulder. "Nay. I think it's sweet."

He seems happy just to hold her again, "Well, your culture is important to you, and your family. I never want to show disrespect to either"

"Because... thou art sweet." A peck. "Oh, aye! Like butterscotch."

Another peck. "Or mayhaps gumdrops... mmm, this may merit investigation."

A grin "Well, do you wish to investigate here? or in the grotto?" a kiss back

A siiigh. "Mama would hear... aye..." A needy kiss. "Grotto."

His own need has been on hold, and her kisses, as cool as wet autumn leaves, stir him..."Well, then...grotto" And he picks her up gently.

And he seems reluctant to set her down , but sighs, for her mother would surely notice his daughter being 'hauled away' in that fashion and lets her slide to her feet "Get your coat, love. Don't worry about me. I have warm socks"

"Aye, aye.... Mama! I am going for a walk!" She puts on her shoes and socks - the process slowed by interruptions to kiss her troll once more. Apparently, he isn't the only one with needs.

And that fact makes earl almost beam. For the farm boy who never fit on the farm, the artist who painted things no one understood. To want and be wanted in return? Oh yes. They say trolls are creatures of still waters that run deep, but who better to stir those waters than his river witch? His kisses are only barely restrained.

Zara snags his hand and leads him downstairs.

And outside.

...She does NOT fetch her coat.

The grotto awaits, and while he is not one for rushing... well, he's eager to get there with her. Kisses on the way may slow them somewhat, but only a little.

(End Scene)