#scarsdale

"Well enough, I think. It feels rather.. well.. rather like waiting for the shoe to drop."

"Moth is safe, for now, and that is what matters. Moth is safe, you are safe, my family is safe."

"Don't worry about me. I have this amazing girlfriend who can rescue me" a smile

"Does the library need more books or?"

"Always. What a question!"

"Point. I may have a source for you. There's a nice old lady who had me do a family painting, boring work really, but she asked if i'd be interested in books in trade. She's invited me to sort through her attic and pick what I like. Seems she's got like a hundred, and not just paperbacks"

"Oh... does the library have a hard copy of "The Island of Dr. Moreau"?"

"Mmm, no, not that I know of."

"I quite like that book."

"Good, she has a hard back copy of it, ummm not a first printing, obviously, but I think 1950s and in good condition" an admission "I liked it too 'what is the law?'" a growly voice "Gave me shivers when I was younger. The good kind"

"Absolutely!"

"Hm. We should discuss Carnival..."

"Carnival? Isn't that a ..." His brow knits "Holiday of some sort?"

Poke!

"Just a bit!"

He laughs softly "One of my favorites too." He assures her "What should we go as this year?"

"I was thinking, mayhaps... well, we've done Hades and Persephone. Hard to top..."

"this is true. Mmm you've done superheroes too. Though maybe not for Carnival"

"Perhaps... well, there may be a wig or a glamour involved... but the Addamses?'

"I do like them, but who doesn't? " A grin "Should I try to grow a mustache in the time we have?"

"They do sell stick-on ones..."

"We are both too... well, if not blonde..."

"Mm yes. We can work around that .Now, I'm curious, which on of us will be Gomez and which one Morticia?"

mischief in his eyes

She spits her tea!

"there can be no doubt you'd look better in a dress than I"

"True... though I haven't much by way of cleavage, so either one of us would be painting it on."

"Zara, I would dress up in in anything you wanted if it brought you joy. "

Then "Well, at least on Carnival I would. Might be a bit more shy if you had me dress up as a Bronte sister on say Yule"

A soft chuff.

"Hm. Frankenstein's monster and bride? My hair may be able to do that thing..."

"It probably could..yeah" He visualizes and likes it "I could fashion bolts for my neck, and your hair could spray up"

"I will likely need help unwrapping all those dressings at the end of the night. Oh dear, whatever shall I do..."

"I know a volunteer" He says very helpfully

"Wonderful." A sly grin.

"You'll like him, he has an artist's hands"

He takes her hands to illustrate

"Tell me more." She twines her fingers with his.

"He's tall, so he can work around and down any buttons or lacings." Eyes sparkle "And is often a gent...except when he's feeling a bit rakish"

"Hmmm.. aye, he sounds most suitable..."

"i think being used by a lass such as yourself is his life goal" He takes her knuckles and kisses them

"Only if it is mutual, nu?" She nuzzles his hands as they hold her own.

"It is," He says eyes intense.

A melting sigh and she twines against him. "Aye."

A whisper in her ear as he leans over "never doubt that I seek to sate myself in you. If you were a river, I would drink for hours, and then, having my fill, plunge into you as deeply as I could so that nothing : from rippling surface to darkest bedrock would be denied my touch. Never doubt that. "

"I am thine, my Hunter. Aye. A river to quench thee, or to drown thee."

And he kisses her, either sounds wonderful

They might even forget where they are.

the two lovers , awash with passion, and plans for carnival, and yes, even a Victorian in their most likely future savor tea, and each other... at least for a while.

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