Caravan Campsite
Just across the Milk Run bridge from Stonebarrow, this flat, clear area has been set aside for travelers and merchants. Two freshwater wells are on site, along with a large map of the area and some bathroom facilities next to the swamp (where nobody will notice the smell). A sturdy corral is set up for Dromodons or other drays.

It's the afternoon after the trip into the dark depths and terrors of the Chalk tombs, where Morgan faced almost certain temptation. Once they emerged and delivered the blood, Isolde informed them it would take a couple hours to produce the antidote and to find some things to occupy themselves while they wait. At Miranda's instance, they've headed over to the gypsy camp to check on Liliana. They can see the Eee (it's hard not to spot her), hanging up laundry on a line and whistling quietly to herself. One might wonder how a fanged creature whistles, but it's just one of those mysteries of life that may never be answered.

With the whole ordeal of being cursed and having to seek out an underground vampire turning out to not be so bad, Miranda has brightened up significantly. On spotting Liliana hanging up the clothes the Lapi gives the Eee a wave and practically drags Morgan by the hand in her direction.

Morgan escorts Miranda to the camp, having told her it's "for your protection." Having put some distance between himself and the tombs, the Kadie is less anxious, and a lot less flustered. The whole affair with Buffy had him smoothing his skirts and biting his lip the entire time out of Pike's mansion. "Ah, there she is," he says when he spots Liliana, following after as Miranda tugs his hand.

Liliana peers over a pair of frilly undergarments on the line. "Ah, I thouh' I hear trouble commin'," the Eee notes as she ducks under the clothing line to go greet the two. "No luck findin' de vampire yet?"

"Oh no, we took care of it Lili! We dun have to worry about the vampire anymore, I don't think," Miranda replies simply, giggling at the sight of the underwear on the clothesline.

"Yes, the vampire is quite taken care of," Morgan says, sounding … uncomfortable? He glances off into the forest, licking his lips, before smiling at Liliana. "It's good to see my favorite vampire again."

"So, vou killed it, den? Well, destroyed it, kin kill something already dead," Liliana notes and sets down the makeshift clothespins she was holding on her pile of laundry in a bucket. "An, vas dis about favorite?" she asks and eyes Morgan. "Don tell me she seduced vou? It prolly no good for vour health t' sleap wit' a corpse."

"My favorite too of courthe!" Miranda pipes up with a smile. "Nithe underwear by the way," she adds after a moment. She still seems to be holding her violin in her free hand, not having had the chance to put it down yet. "Well, thee tried to theduthe Morgan… But he held out valiantly!" the Lapi continues, rolling her eyes.

"Zahnrad seems to think I am, what did he say, "a vampire magnet." I really didn't do a thing," Morgan insists pleadingly to Liliana. He holds up his hands, as if showing he's unarmed in these matters.

Liliana saunters over to Morgan and hooks a claw into his shirt. She pulls him forward and kisses him, then grins. "Den don' go near m' cousin, or he might go after vou too," she says and then winks to the Kadie. Then with a glance to Miranda, she asks, "Vou need t' put dat down? An, is dere a reason vou came by?"

Morgan scootches when Liliana beckons, and leans forward for the kiss, standing on his toes. After Liliana releases him, he slides around to her side and hooks an arm around her waist. "Your cousin?" he blinks. "I don't think … I mean … No, definitely not ready for that."

"Ah… yeth, iff you have a plathe I can thafely put it? And do we really need a reathon to vithit the beautiful Liliana?" Miranda says, putting on a little mocking pout before continuing, "We jutht wanted to thee how you were… Do I get a hello kithh too?" She finishes with a grin.

"Hmm, vou kin put it inside," Liliana says and motions towards the wagon, "An, of course vou do. Jus' put dat t'ing down and come over here." Then with a look to Morgan, she asks, "So, vhy you no kill it?"

"Here we go again," Morgan breathes. He shrugs up at Liliana, adding, "You've have quite some influence on her!"

"Me? I be de picture of grace an innocence," the Eee claims.

Miranda wanders over to the wagon and pokes her head inside, looking around for a clear, safe place to leave her violin.

"I'll explain later," the Kadie insists. He steps around and follows Liliana towards the wagon. "We'd better all just go inside."

The inside of the wagon in being tidied up, it seems. There's a clear and probably safe spot on the dresser. Liliana nudges Miranda the rest of the way inside and says, "De squirrelly here vant t'go inside."

Scootching the rest of the way in and out of the way of the other two, the Lapi sets her instrument on the dresser and then turns to give Liliana a small smooch.

Liliana pffts and wraps an arm around the Lapi and gives her a not so quick smooch. "Dere, dat firs' one vas vimpy," she says and winks when she releases Miranda. Then walking away from both of them she sits down on a box. "Okay, I vant t know vhat happened."

Morgan pointedly looks straight ahead when the women kiss, hurrying inside. He only looks back when they're done. "Anyway," he breathes, the word sounding more like a sigh of pent up anxiety than anything, "the vampire was quite taken care of long before we got there. The problem, you see, isn't her – not exactly. The problem is more likely jealousy on Clover's part."

"Vou sure about dat? Any undead vampire is a problem," Liliana warns, "Vou should have destroyed it."

Miranda just stands there for a minute after Lili releases her before grinning. "Thorry if it wath a wimpy kithh… I was just trying to be good," the Lapi apologizes before smiling at Morgan.

"Tha vampire ith bound to a thertain thpot and can't leave, tho not much of a threat to tha town… Didn't want to leave either is given the chanthe. Thee theemed fairly nithe," Miranda comments.

"I'm not in the business of destroying what I can reason with," the witch explains. He glances at Miranda, looks heavenward, then just flops back on the bed. "She's reasonably well mannered. Reasonably."

"Well mannered, if a bit dramatic," the Lapi adds with a nod.

"Are vou sure she didn' jus' mess vith vour mind?" Liliana asks pointedly. The Eee then motions for Miranda to come over, then pats her lap as an invite for the Lapi to sit.

"No, I'm not," Morgan replies. He smooths his skirts out, ruffled as they are from his falling back on the bed, and shakes his head. "She could have seriously injured – or killed! – several of us, of that I have no doubt. She knew we were coming, and he power is great within her confines. No, she isn't a threat in that sense. She needs the town's support; and she wants our friendship." He shakes his head again. "She has been there a long, long time."

Miranda happily bounds into the Eee's lap, and finding a comfortable position settles herself there contently, licking the tip of Lili's nose.

Liliana wraps her arms, then her wings, around Miranda. "Don' know if Natasha vill be happy t' hear she still lives, but… " she says with a shrug. "Never heard of an undead vanting friends. Vou sure dat no jus' meaning she vants dinner?"

Morgan glances at the two women, staring for a moment before blinking out of it. "Wha- Oh, she needs dinner. That's part of the arrangement, and one of the checks that keep her confined. I'll have to discuss the whole matter at length with my mother, and Natasha too, if she wishes to come, but for now I feel reasonable safe. I'm actually more worried about Clover," he explains.

Seeing the Kadie staring, Miranda sticks her tongue out over the edge of one of Liliana's wings, saying with a grin, "Aw… I didn't thteal your thpot did I? You could come thit in my lap thometime to make up for it if you like… " Then more seriously the Lapi frowns and nods. "Yeth, Clover ithn't the nithetht of people, but thee ith thtill a member of tha town. I'm a bit worried about her too."

"So, vhat dis about Clover, den? Isn't she de ghoul of dat vampire, or somethin'?" Liliana asks. "How she fit into dis?"

A gentle knocking comes at the door just then.

Morgan stares at Miranda again, then he suddenly sits up. Eying her, he slowly walks over, then points. "Open your wings, I'm sitting in Miranda's lap right no- … " He lets his words trail off as he hears the knock, glancing back.

Miranda sticks her tongue out again, chuckling, "Well, yhinthe your'e up Morgan why don't you get tha door firtht and thee who'th out there? Then you can come use my lap."

"One momen'. Mogran be openin' de door," Liliana calls out and unfurls her wings from around Miranda.

The Kadie grumbles a bit as he turns and stalks over to the door. Opening it, he pops his head out and asks, "Yes?"

Parsley Chalk nearly jumps back at Morgan's brusqueness. "Oh… uh, Lili asked to see me," the  Lapi notes. "If this isn't a good time I can come back later… "

Morgan frowns at Parsley's reaction, as if finding it rather mysterious. "Hmm," He says, glancing back. "Come in; mind Miranda." Then the Kadie steps back into the depths of the wagon.

"No, please come in," Liliana calls out and nudges Miranda to get up. "Ve just talkin' an teasin' Morgan. Some of dis concern vou anyvay."

Miranda makes a little aww of disappointment at being ushered out of the Eee's lap, but politely gets up.

Parsley comes into the wagon, looking a bit wary, and her ears shoot up when she sees Miranda's eyes glowing. "Oh no… are we too late to help Miranda?" she almost wails.

"No, no, no. She jus' borrowed part of me," Liliana says and waves her hands, then motions for Morgan to come over and sit in her lap. "Haf vou seen vour sister lately? Dese two seem t' t'ink she be part of de troubles aroun here."

"Oh Miranda is fiiine," Morgan explains as he walks over to the bed. He plops himself down next to Liliana, then waves a hand to indicate Miranda. "She'll be cured soon. For now, she's 'enjoying' the last few hours of her vampiric nature." At the word 'enjoying,' Morgan indicates the bat next to him with his eyes. "It's all rather trying. Anyway, yes, we need to know about your sister."

"What? No, Clover never came home last night or the night before," Parsley says. "Have you already found the vampire?"

With a conversation of more serious nature now afoot Miranda also sits herself down next to the other side of the Eee, and nods emphatically at the current statements. "Do you have any idea where Clover might have gone? Any typeth of platheth thee liketh to vithit?"

Liliana leans over and wraps an arm around the Kadie. "Oh, is not dat tryin', vou like it," she says and noses his cheek. "Vou look so cute ven vou frustrated an confused."

Morgan doesn't resist, sinking against Liliana as he's grabbed like a big doll. "Well, I suppose," he agrees reluctantly. "Zahnrad called me 'doe-eyed.'" The man purses his lips, frowning – it makes him look pouty.

"I don't know anymore, she's become very distant," Parsley admits, looking downcast.

"Vell, dese two vill haf to explain vhat dey know. Dey vere about to tell me about it vhen vou showed up. Dey apparently befriended an undead vampire," Liliana says.

"Umm… well, can you tell us when the latht time you thaw Clover wath Parthley?" Miranda asks quietly, getting up and going over to hug the older doe.

Parsley hugs Miranda, and says, "It's been a few days. The last time I saw her was when she stormed into the room one night muttering about 'musical gibberish' or something. She just came and got something, then left. I was half-asleep at the time."

"Miranda, Parsley: you know we witches prefer to avoid getting involved in Clan internal matters, unless it threatens the town itself. However, I think this matter falls in to that category," the Kadie says, sounding serious. He might look serious, too, if he wasn't curled up against a much larger Eeee, looking almost like a child. "The secret is this: the vampire lives within the Chalk warrens. We do not consider it a serious threat at the moment, but we fear Clover has become jealous of its affections and stormed off."

"So, dis vampire like Clover, an now like someone else?" Liliana asks.

Miranda shakes her head slowly, "I don't think the vampire has just dethided to thtop liking Clover. In Fact, she asthked uth to find her and thounded worried… It ith more likely Clover got angry that the vampire might want attention from thomeone other than her."

"Stormed off?" Parsley asks, looking confused. "You mean she's left town?"

"Perhaps," Morgan answers. "Currently, we're trying to find her. We had hoped you may have some ideas as to where she went, or what she's doing. Even the vampire doesn't know what Clover is up to. However, chances are she can't remain gone for long unless she's more fool-headed than she's already proven. She'll need food and shelter eventually, and she's not one to abandon creature comforts. No, I think she's either in town or nearby. Possibly somewhere below ground." As he talks, Morgan slowly slides down, until he's laying across the edge of the bed with his head on Liliana's lap.

"She spends a lot of time down in the forbidden tunnels," Parsley whispers. "She could be down there. Maybe… maybe have set up a nest for herself."

"Or, could she be in trouble?" Liliana suggests and pets Morgan's cheek lightly. "I hear dere are monsters dat live beneath de soil. Mebbe she can' get home now."

Parsley squeaks at the suggestion, hugging Miranda harder.

Miranda squeaks too, but more from the sudden force of the hug, patting the other doe's blond hair before she gently pulls Parsley over to sit near Morgan and Lili. "You thould thit down Parthley." The gray Lapi seats herself as well.

Morgan frowns, but nods none the less. "It's possible – BUT – we don't know, so I'd urge you all to keep your worry down and focus on finding her," he advises. Then, off topic, he tells Liliana, "The vampire sat in my lap."

"Who is this vampire anyway?" Parsley asks, a bit in a daze as she sits down.

"She sat in vour lap, did she? I may haf to have a little talk wit her," Liliana notes and purses her lips.

Miranda grins faintly and leans over to whisper in the Eee's ear, "Thee pretty much offered to get together with both Morgan and yourthelf, Lili."

"Oh, she wanted to meet you. She says you sound fun," the witch adds. He gives a much-suffering sigh, rolling over so he can look right up at Liliana. "YES, she said that. "You and me and the devil make three," she was fond of singing." He then glances at Parsley, telling her, "Oh, it's Buffy."

"So, vou are tryin' to start a vampire harem for vourself, den?" Liliana asks Morgan and looks down at him. "So, vhat does she look like?"

"But Buffy is just an old story to keep coneys from going down into the catacombs," Parsley murmurs.

Morgan's eyes widen. "I didn't try anything! Really," he says in a higher than normal voice. "I don't know why she likes me." He bites his lip, then adds, "She looks like midnight in Lapi form, with shining white teeth, red glowing eyes, and dressed in an ancient wedding gown. That is, when she isn't black chalk mist, or completely uncarnate."

"So, she look like a bunny me," Liliana notes and pokes Morgan's nose. "I bet vou looked all confused an flustered, mebbe a little pouty. Or nervous. Dat prey behavior, vou know. An vell, it draws predators to vou… "

Miranda nods in agreement, "Yep. Thee'th right Morgan… And it jutht maketh you look tho darn cute too!" Miranda says before getting up to go give the Kadie a kiss on the nose.

All the attention makes Morgan squeak, and he wiggles away to avoid the 'abuse' of his nose. Shooting the two women an indignant look, he huffs, then says, "Maybe I was a little flustered. She does have a passing resemblance to you, Lily." He lifts a hand and wiggles his fingers at the bat's designs. "She was impressed by your dye work – she can see it through clothes."

"Oh, so she vas lookin' through vour clothes, vas she?" Liliana asks Morgan and arches an eyebrow. "I dunno if I like dis, another vampire out dere like me… "

Quirking her head, Miranda looks at the Eee a bit oddly, but smiling, "But you know she'll never be you Lili."

"If it helps any, she's an undead vampire. Plus, she's stuck where she is," Morgan offers placatingly. "And she has chalk in unmentionable places."

"So, vou vere examining her unmentionable places?" Liliana asks and shakes her head. The bat can't help but giggle.

Miranda can't help but giggle too, though she is obviously trying to better 'behave' herself in Parsley's presence.

Morgan clears his throat, insisting, "What's what she told me."

"Vell, vou veren't specific de first time. Vou set vourself up for dis, vou know?" Liliana notes and shakes her head again. "So, dis vampire is named Buffy? Dat be a silly name."

"Well, the Chalks do go through a LOT of names," the Kadie explains. "From what I recall, she was taken by a 'Lord Snapfish' some hundred years ago. She's really quite old. A town legend, even. I feel … " he frowns, wiggling his figures as he tries to fin the words, " … sorry for her."

Miranda says, "Tho do I Lili. Thee theemed rather lonely."

"Vell … I guess I kin understand that. But, I never hear' of a lonely undead, either. Are you sure she be a true undead?" Liliana asks.

"A hundred years old, and only Clover for a friend," Parsley whispers, shaking her head.

"I admit, she's not like any other undead force I've encountered. My feeling is that it's the nature of her bonds, as well as the close presence of so many Chalks, that steady her. She lairs among the bones of her ancestors, as well as those that came after her. In a way, she lives within the Chalk ancestral shrine," the witch says. To Parsley, Morgan adds, "She seems relatively sane."

"Sane in general, or sane for a Chalk?" Parsley asks.

"Mebbe vou shoul' have someone wit' more experience examine her, like vour mother or maybe Natasha," Liliana suggests.

Nodding, Miranda notes to Parsley, "Yeth, I think thath one of the reathonth thee bit me… That and Clover only lithenth to Emmet'th jug band."

"What does the jug band have to do with vampires?" Parsley asks Miranda.

Morgan nods. "I did say I planned to discuss this with my mother, and Natasha as well, if she wishes to come," he replies. To Parsley, he answers, "Both, remarkably. She reminded me a bit of you and your sister, only more … flirtatious. Also more intimidating, but then she has considerable personal power."

"Thee wanted to lithten to other muthic… and well, I play mythelf… " Miranda notes to Parsley, pointing to the violin still on the dresser.

"Okay," Parsley says, still not quite getting the gist of things. "Wait… you mean you don't find me intimidating, Morgan?"

"Oh, Parsley, you should know: the vampire said Clover was somewhat disgruntled with you. It seems she deeply dislikes Axel – something about incinerating her dress? – and she doesn't much like you associating with Amelia or Zahnrad, either," the Kadie goes on to say. He then flicks his tail, catching it, and hugging it as he says, "Oh, well, no, not you Parsley."

"You're no dat intimidatin'," Liliana notes to Parsley. "An, dat reminds me, vour clan likes to bring in new blood, righ?"

Miranda fidgets a bit, and then, seemingly unable to contain herself goes over to Liliana, looking ready to sit in the Eee's lap and then abruptly sits in Morgan's lap instead.

"Then why haven't you ever asked me for a date?" Parsley asks Morgan, then blinks and nods to Lili. "Why yes, we do. I met two of the bucks in your tribe just the other day actually."

"Ah, goo'. Vant em?" Liliana asks. "Those two haf caused me a bit o' trouble lately. Thinkin' of sellin' dem. Ve kin talk about dat later, o' course. Jus wanted to mention it before I forget."

"Well, that depends," Parsley says. "How did they upset you?"

"Dey decided t' use my vagon for a trist wit' a bunch o' otters. Den dey tried t' get me t' join dem!" the Eee complains. "Made a horrible mess, dey did."

Morgan folds like a lawn chair when sat on, sitting up suddenly and squeaking. He gives Miranda a look, then sighs, leaning back against Liliana and letting Miranda occupy his lap – after he tugs his tail free, anyway. "Oh, well, um," he gestures with his hands in a way that could indicate almost anything, "I, um, didn't think it appropriate at the time and, well, I've always tried to put being a witch over being a man, and … um … " He looks down at Miranda, then exclaims, "Oh! You have a burr in your fur, I'll just get that out." He looks very intently at Miranda's back. Liliana can see there's absolutely nothing there.

"But you didn't join them?" Parsley asks.

"Didn' haf time. Came here t' get me dyin' supplies," Liliana notes.

"Oh, so you would have otherwise?" the does asks next.

Miranda chuckles as Morgan intently examines her back, grinning in a satisfied and comfortable way.

"Why do vou ask dat?" Liliana asks.

"Well, to see if they were convincing enough," Parsley explains. "It's important to judge how well they can deal with trouble."

"Oh, well, um … Probably," Morgan replies. "You've always been very nice to me."

"Oh, vell, sure I voul' have joined em if I had time. I guess it be cute in it own vay dat dey tried to set up a party fer me, but dey picked a bad time. An, vell, dey coul' haf gotten de otters to bathe first. I been getting de swamp smell out of m' clothes for a while," the Eee notes.

"Hmm, I don't suppose you noticed which one seemed the least worn out?" Parsley asks. "If they're twins, we'd really only need one of them."

Miranda just looks at Parsley on hearing the explanations and shakes her head, a laughing smile on her face before turning herself around so she can look at Morgan.

"Did you want do date me?" Morgan inquires, peeking around Miranda's shoulder. He tries very carefully to not touch the woman anymore than he already is.

"Dey no twins. Didn' vou notice one bigger den de other?" Liliana says, tilting her head. "An no, I didn'. I vas in a hurry. Anyvay, ve kin talk about it more later."

"Okay, Lili," Parsley says, then turns her smile on Morgan. "Well, you were always alone, Morgan. I'm not supposed to let people feel lonely."

"An, I be forgettin' me laundry! I gots to hang the rest up," Liliana says and gets to her feet quickly. "Feel free t' keep talkin' in here. I'll be gone for a bit. Sorry 'bout dat."

Looking quite comfortable from where she is leaning on Morgan now, as well as sitting in his lap, Miranda notes, "Parthley'th very good at it too you know, making thure people aren't lonely."

"Oh, a witch is never alone," Morgan ensures Parsley. He gives a mysterious smile, then absently pats Liliana's leg. He almost pats Miranda, too, but seems to think better of it.

"Bah, vou full of it. Vou vere lonely," Liliana admonishes Morgan as she heads to the door. "Don' do anyt'ing I vouldn'!" The Eee then slips outside.

Miranda turns to Morgan with a grin at Lili's final comment, saying, "And that gives you a fairly wide range I think."

"Errm," Morgan says, leaning back at Miranda's grin.

"You seem a lot more flirty now, Miranda," Parsley notes. "Does this mean you're finally starting to bloom?"

Noticing Morgan's leaning back, Miranda abruptly gets up and dusts herself off… "Thorry… Didn't mean anything by it, jutht thought I thould mention it." The gray Lapi looks up at Parsley with an almost worried look and then just plops herself down next to Morgan.

Parsley's ears splay out sideways, and she asks, "I'm sorry, was that the wrong thing to ask?"

"Oh, well." Morgan reaches over and pats Miranda's cheek, consolingly. "It's just, well, I don't want to take advantage."

The gray Lapi sighs faintly and sets her cheek in her hand saying, "Yeth… thath very good of you Morgan. And no, you didn't thay anything wrong Parthley."

"Well… I hope it's a sign of change," Parsley notes. "You seem a lot happier than usual."

Morgan doesn't look like he thinks that's good, laying his own ears back. "You can still sit on my lap, if you want. I don't mind," he insists.

Now its Miranda's turn to splay her ears, first looking at Parsley, and then in genuine confusion at Morgan… The look on the gray Lapi's face seems to say I thought you didn't want to encourage me?, but instead she tries to smooth it out into a rather forced smile saying, "Thank you Morgan… But I think I thould thtay over here for now… But maybe Parthley wants to sit?" Just an idle suggestion.

"Actually, I should go," Parsley says, standing up. "I need to ask around more about Clover."

"Mm." Morgan frowns at Miranda a little more, then just lays back on the bed. He glances at Parsley, and asks, "Does your sister have any special place she used to go? A hideout, when you were kids? Somewhere underground?"

"There are a few places I can check," Parsley says, a bit guardedly. "Will Miranda be okay to come home tonight?"

"I think so," Morgan answers, casting a cautious look Miranda's way.

"I thertianly hope tho… I'd really like to get back to my room… I think… I'm going to need to lie down inna while," Miranda states looking off into space.

"Well, in that case I'll check in on you tonight, Miranda," Parsley says, smiling. Then she waves and heads for the door.

Morgan gives Parsley a wave, and once the Lapi has gone, he asks Miranda, "How are you feeling? I hope I haven't hurt your feelings."

"I'm okay… I think… jutht got thith bad feeling all of a thudden… " Miranda murmurs before looking over at Morgan. "Why would you hurt my feelinths Morgan? I'm jutht borrowing part of your girlfriend anywayth aren't I?" she asks with a slight frown…

"A bad feeling? Can you explain?" The Kadie sits up again, folding his hands in his lap. "Oh, and, well, because I care about you. You're not just some vessel borrowing a part of my girlfriend's spirit, you're Miranda Chalk. I care about Miranda Chalk."

" Really?" the gray Lapi asks, giving Morgan a searching, but not entirely disbelieving look… "Oh… I don't know… just a bad feeling, like thomethingth going to go wrong… You know, like when you eat thomething that'th gone bad and thuddenly you jutht know you're going to feel really sick in a few hours?"

"Really," Morgan confirms. He reaches over and pats Miranda's leg. "Normally I'd tell you that everything will be fine, that it's just a bad day you're feeling. It may be more, given your condition. However, I simply feel that the transfer is wearing down, and you're losing your connection to Lily." He tilts his head. "The cure is ready, but … are you afraid you'll miss what you have?"

Miranda's ears shoot up and then she puts her hand on her head. "Okay, now I really want to get home so I can lie down… It'th not tho much that I'll mithh it exactly thinth it wath never mine… It'th just that i think I'm going to be very… 'uncomfortable' thoon?" she slowly ponders out.

"Well, you weren't that bad," Morgan says with a grin. "I think you impressed Lily, which says a lot. Perhaps you've learned something, too."

The gray Lapi smiles a bit at that, looking a little pleased, before looking a little more serious;  earnest perhaps. "Morgan… Would you do me a favor?"

"That depends on the favor, but certainly," the Kadie replies.

Watching Morgan intently, Miranda scoots closer to him… "Would you… Kithh me Morgan?" the gray doe asks. The look on her face is not flirty, nor playful, but open, honest, and a little serious. "It'th only… I've never actually been kithhed by a boy before. I know I know, I've been kithhing yu all day… but it'th not quite the thame thing. Will you kithh me ath me, not becauthe of the way I've been acting. I trutht you Morgan… That'th why I athk." The Lapi's face also holds something more beyond being honest now, a wanting for something, a craving for affection she can't normally reach for.

Morgan listens intently, ears perking. He seems surprised by the request, but he smiles. "To be honest, I'm surprised you consider me a boy. That still surprises me, even after all this." He scoots over to Miranda, and leans forward. "You're really a very sweet girl, Miranda. But," he leans forward so that his nose is inches from hers, "you don't need to ask a boy to kiss you, because they'll want to, all on their own." He reaches behind her shoulder, pulls her close, and kisses her.

Miranda's ears shoot up in genuine surprise, the insides turning pink, and then flopping down against the sides of her head as she relaxes. After a moment she pulls back and hugs him, smiling. "Thanks Morgan. I'm not like Parthley, or a lot of the other lapeeth. They can jutht go out and find companionthhip with whoever they want to, pretty much whenever they want to… " the gray Lapi says, fidgeting slightly before getting a sleepy-eyed smile come over her. "I trutht you Morgan… You only want what'th betht for everyone, I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

The Kadie hugs back, smiling a bit more. "A little secret: I try to want what's best for everyone. It doesn't always work." He winks. "And you know, I understand? I have to be careful. There's a careful line of trust, and I have to be careful who I flirt with, even when they flirt with me." He leaves his arms around Miranda, rocking her gently. "Thank you for trusting me."

Smiling, the Lapi leans quietly against Morgan for a moment. "Ath for your gender… To me you will alwayth be both a boy, and a girl at timeth. That ith how I thee you. Thometimeth when I look at you I think you got some of tha betht of both worldth," Miranda notes with a happy chuckle.

Morgan smiles widely, and his ears redden. "Well, I don't know what to say to that, except thank you. I think that's once of the nicest compliments I've ever had." He cocks his head to the side, and asks, "Would you like me to walk you home? My mother should be ready soon, and, well, we can talk as we go."

Miranda nods and hugs Morgan warmly before getting up to pick her violin off of Liliana's dresser where it still lay. "You're very welcome Morgan. And yeth, I think that would be very nithe."

"Very well, then!" Morgan offers Miranda his hand, and walks over to open the door for her. "And you know, I'd like to hear you play some time."

"I think I would like to try that… I don't often play for anyone outside the warren because it makes me nervous… " Miranda admits, taking the Kadie's hand, her voice trailing off as they head out the door.