#scarsdale

"Exactly how much are we taking on this quest?" Earl observes the piles forming. It's not so much HOW much, but which .. Zara has choices to make. Surely one Should bring books to the greatest library of all.

"Only some guides so we may find the way there..."

"The 'guide book ' you've got there ,if that's what that is, is bigger than your torso." He observes

"Tisn't."

"And, to be absolutely fair, I have a very small torso."

"Yes..." He says "But perhaps I can compare..which should I grope first?" Straight faced.

She sticks her tongue out at him.

"Never let it be said troll paramours aren't willing to serve" A look at other things "Okay.. is this a ... are you bringing some sort of portable tea set?"

"We are not savages."

"Darling, I Know you love all things victorian, but I'm not sure many of the Victorians know what the term 'roughing it' means."

"It is a very reasonably sized set."

"it's a full set. Surely one type of spoon will do?"

"That one is for sugar."

"Wipe it and it can be for more than that.. you're bringing cloth"

"Barbarian." Sulk.

"Spartan actually" A smile at his word play

"Well... we don't need service for four..."

"Very true" Supportive.

"It is just the three of us." She removes one cup, one saucer, and one spoon.

...Not the sugar spoon.

He doesn't say more against any spoons. She has sacrificed more than enough and he knows he must respect this.. at least tea set wise, "Now... ah, about the parasol?"

"Aye? It is for protection."

"How is that supposed to protect you from anything?" Blinks

Honestly, just when she think she's civilized him, his farm boy roots slip out.

"From the sun."

"Tis my own personal shadow."

"I suppose that's.. mm" He nods "Normally 'I' like being your own personal shadow. But yes, better safe than sorry and we might go through annoying bright parts of the dreaming." A pause "Maybe we should throw in some sunblock or shades?"

"I packed those..." She checks a pocket.

"Good." When it comes to her safety he'd rather be weighted down than lacking.

"I blister. Most undignified."

"Though the peeling can be amusing..."

"you do seem to enjoy that part...remember that fussy woman at the bus station? "

She titters.

a grin "Man... when she thought were eating it.. THAT was funny.."

"I think we turned her stomach..."

"No sympathy here" He says

"Do test it - how bad is the pack?"

He looks over it, puts it on.."it's a bit tight at the shoulders."

"And some of it wants to beat me in the head"

She tuts and scrambles up Earl's side to loosen straps.

"ow.. the hair"

"You are fine." She kisses the top of his head.

"Well, it's just I let it get long .. and I think it's snagging..." But the kiss on top of his head seems to soothe him "Okay"

"Huh" he smiles as he thinks about it, "Im looking forward to this quest. " He almost sound surprised.

"What shall thee look for in the Library?"

"Well, obviously a book of art is tempting... but .. I think if it ever existed, I might look for clues to the works of Simon Chalke" Wistful

"To learn his secrets would be... amazing"

"If it is anywhere, aye?"

"Emmitt thinks I aim to broadly..."

"Too Broadly?" A surprise, "Doesn't that mean you're just sure to hit the target?"