#scarsdale

Earl knocks at her bedroom door, of course. Despite intimacy, one does not just stumble into a sluagh lady's bedroom even if one is a lover. It's just not done.

Zara opens the door and greets Her Troll with a soft smile. The window is open, letting in the spring air, and her laptop sits at the window seat - schoolwork?

"Oh, bad time?" He says, after giving her a quick kiss, that too can be a proper protocal, one he enjoys

A peck on his cheek in return. "Just Social Studies."

"I have news. I don't think I'm forbidden to tell you and besides, he knows I tell you things anyway. It's not huge news, but it's..interesting, at least it was to me. And rather flattering"

An eyebrow.

"But it can wait" he shrugs. Is he teasing? He denies her little, but sometimes, yes there are games where he can tease with knowledge, try to play hard to get...kind of. But the truth is there's not a bit of malice in it, and his will wavers against her wishes.

"No it can't! Oh, tell!"

"August invited me to join House Liam"

Well, that didn't last.

...

Blink.

"Well, I suppose more like he was seeing if I'd be interested..." Earl says

"...are you?"

"I told him the truth, that my oaths I was in would prevent me from doing so as they might eventually come into conflict. It's the same reason I can't have a liege"

Earl tries to read her expression through out that

"The farm oath, aye..."

"Oaths, plural?"

Merte he thinks then says "Well, one is enough to make it implausible, and that's unfair to both myself and House Liam, don't you think? I told him I respected House Liam, a lot of what they did was crucial to keeping glamour in the world after all. August seemed to understand. Still, it's flattering no?"

"Aye, perhaps..."

"But naught says Liam may not swear Fealty, or Truehearts, or any such thing...."

"you think I should have said yes?"

"While I know I would not care to Oath, thou art a troll - and thus, Oaths mean a different thing to thee."

"I think you should have done whatsoever you wished. I... I appreciate being told. I think I may have been upset if you just came back and said 'Hello, surprise, I'm a Liam now.' But... but if it is what you wish? How could I deny thee what thou wished for?"

He takes her hand and kisses it, "In truth, I do not think I wish to be bound to any House. It is not that I was not flattered, but the only house I wish to share is one with you." His eyes drink her in as he gives a soft squeeze to her cool hand in his grip, "I serve the farm in my own way out of familal duty, and I certainly will try to protect dreamers, that's just sense, but no, let's not stretch me too thin."

She nods, and draws his hand close to nuzzle it. "Aye. But - I simply mean, do not think I am averse simply because I wish no House, nor title."

"Now. Oaths?"

"Noted" and then "Ah, yes. The problem of having a girlfriend far more intelligent that I am- she doesn't miss much." Wrly

"I know of the Farm, and I can see the difficulty in upholding that whilst being sworn to a House."

A nod.

"But...?"

"But... you still want to know about the other oath or oaths?"

She nods. "I didn't know you had another..."

"Must they be secret?"

"I worry it will upset you" he admits "I don't like making you upset or angry. "

"Nor I, you.."

"Why would I be angry?"

"Because you are the other oath" Earl strokes her face "It was no great sacrifice, to protect you, to try to provide for you, to love you. Please, I am driven to such by what I feel to my bones for you. You do not wish to swear, and I respect that, but I... well, you have always been a source of strength to me, Zara. It is just the Dreaming makes that literal."

"Oh... oh, Love." She catches his hand, resting hers atop his on her cheek.

"If I were to swear, to any..."

"I know, I know" He says "I have had some insecure moments, some fears immature, but I know." Earl assures her, "And that warms me to hear, but please don't swear because of obligation. If you ever swear to me, it should be for the right reasons and be a source of joy, not a source of worry or resentment or fear."

"Know that I love thee, yes. Truly."

"I know not if I have loved thee before, but I pray to da'an that my soul will not forget thee, in this or any lifetime."

"Then that brings me much happiness to know" A nod

"Well, let's try to make sure both of us continue for a long life time eh? Particularly you. You are a formidable witch now, what a grand crone you will be" Proud

"Ha! Not too soon, maybe."

"I do not fear it, but, methinks, I enjoy being a wilder, too.."

"Oh definitely, you know, tense social interactions aside, the trip to Paris was good for us. We need to get out more again after all this. I have the means, and you have the curiosity, imagine the sights we can see?"

"Aye... oh, I wish to see the whole world."

"..and come home after it all for my favorite chair and a warm cup of tea."