A bitter guardian

"A rare exception these days, I'm afraid." There's another brief one-armed hug, and while it's wise not to lean on him too much, he seems to have no end of hugs for her. "And I expect I was the one who was lost. Being lured along by the charms of a faerie seems to have done me no harm, though. I expect you're right, about Rip Van Winkle... there are so many stories, not just in the old world, but here in the Americas, too..." He limps after her slowly, offering to help set things out. It's fortunate the coffee table is big, and he's cleared away the usual piles of books and papers for their tea. "Oh goodness... another feast..." He was half expecting it anyway, knowing her.

Whisper ducks back, but she's still watching, while Smoke slinks closer, tail curling this way and that. "I think you'll win the girls over yet. They're certainly interested in you..."