#scarsdale

"I hope it has not soured to the point where she insists I must be an enemy" A wrinkle, "But a lady cannot let herself be bullied by unpleasantness"

"So you think it would be tacky to get a black one and white one?"

A soft chuff. "It might be terribly appropriate."

"If you wish - now, personally, I would find it overwhelming - Mama could introduce you to a few of the neighbors?"

A cautious look, "I trust your mother knows that sluagh are, best at smaller interactions?" Dubious "Boggans and their kin can be so -exuberant"

"Mama has raised me - but yes.. She means well. Sometimes she forgets. But mayhaps she could spread something of a good word?"

"I think not having a Malibu Barbie Monstrosity will go far."

"ha, " A husk of a laugh's leavings "indeed. more than a few folks about here have noticed the salmon and pink was the first thing to go. I cannot be sure of it, but whatever their religions, I think local church attendance has gone up-in gratitude."

"Well, mostly Jewish. A fair number of Presbyterians. The house on the corner is Hindi..."

"Ah, I tried yoga, but given our gifts I always feel like I'm cheating"

"Not cheating - naturally talented!"

"There is, as I understand, a class on yoga with cats..."

"Is there? I had heard of goats... but cats? now that is sensible" intrigued "I wonder how one says Namaste in feline?"

"Hmm.. I know not, perhaps a willow whisper?"

"Cats can get cryptic regarding willow whispers if it's about themselves...e xcept for lions. I went to a zoo once. The lion was quite happy to answer an questions. he did seem decidedly interested in how his hair was looking." Nonplused

"That... that seems to follow, aye. I know a lion pooka, and he is much concerned of his mane..."

A smile of dark lips brief but there "No doubt. Silly creatures, lions, yet one cannot deny their charm, at least, certain lionesses can't. Would this be one Vince? When you mentioned you were of Earth Runes, I grew curious. Vince is a commoner but apparently larger than life than some sidhe"

"...Aye, Vince."

"I am somehow unsurprised he has a reputation. I know few pooka of such large creatures - most seem less... ah... " A shrug.

"Indeed. I apologize if I pry too much. It is what we do, but not to each other often, and not lightly. " A sip and her eyes closed happily "boundaries are needed to keep sanity. tea with another sluagh, it has been so rare for me , I think i might chatter way unseemly"

"you must stop me if I begin to grow... overly gregarious" A light blush

"Well..." A sigh. "I may not be the best one for that."

"We each adapt in our own way. my sister drove me more into the dark when I could find it as it vanished. you instead had to learn to blend, just a different form of hiding, being gregarious. " Consoling

"They always want you to be like them..." A sigh. "It can be exhausting. But... I fear, atimes, I fail at being a sluagh..."

"fail?" delicate brows arise on Marzanna's face "you gauged my sister for the farce she was after mere minutes where as I had been fooled for far too long. you found the painting of interest, and noticed the slightest discrepancy of it. You uncovered the truth, and had knowledge of just the right person to aid me in justice by the means required. you excelled in slaugh, if I may say" A sip

"Aye, and I fraternize with trolls and boggans and nockers."

"Perhaps I could call myself an emissary."

"other sluagh might pity you for such onerous duties, but might also be grateful it was who took up that burden instead of they. " a look about to the window "there are trolls in this neighborhood?"

"Well, at the freehold..."

"ah, of course" A sip

"Truth, the freehold is mostly nockers. Sidhe, too - it is the county seat. Dornklippe is Dougal."

"The practical house as you said"

"Aye."

"One may get to Firnost - and, well, from Firnost, Mundi."

"Are there any other sluagh in the area?"

"One. Madame Grey. Quite proper, a granddame."

"oh" A nervous look, "An elder. I must see what I can do to prepare if she should ever come to the house. I..forgive my blatant catering, but know you her preferred blend?"

"English breakfast, never Irish."

She commits it to memory "yes, o course, if she is like Mister Tulmit, may his next rebirth be soon, she is more likely to stay put and folks in need of knowledge go to her." thoughtful "Oh such a delicate line to walk. so many kith value wilders best, but to become a true and proper grandame, maidens may get attention, mothers manage, but the crone is the goal nu?"

"Aye." A sigh. "There is one I know, a Sister Sinistre - she rules the library at Firnost, and the mere purse of her lips terrifies childlings."

Indeed, a wistful sigh escapes Marzanna "I am awash with envy now"

"Explore, and I am certain you shall encounter her."

"I am... fond.. of Firnost."

"then I shall pursue the grounds"

Zara dunks a cake in her tea, and nibbles at the softened treat. "With a bit of travel, you can find many of ours about - the city, of course, is awash with all of all kinds."

a moment of quiet , quite fine, between two sluagh soft nibbles and sips "so much promise then. I am not always social, but I do tend to have preferred people when I have people at all"

"As if our wont." A pause. "I am glad, though, to have such a neighbor - just across the way."

"as we will be neighbors, i was thinking, what do you think would be a good color to blend in highights? Now that the pink and salmon is gone I mean. I considered a misty green."

"Oh, that could be lovely..."

"Have you a favorite? I fear mine is likely obvious..."