Tea Party for 2 ... or is it?

​"More tea?” asked Dragonia as she stood before the Earl of Grey ready to pour.  “Please, the little red speckled sandwiches are sweet and the green teacakes are salty,” she continued before he could answer.​

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​“Thank you Baroness, I will have a little more,”  ignoring the offered pastries.  As she poured into his cup, he continued to look around at the small tea parlor they both were sharing for the moment.  “I wonder why she has invited me to tea?” he thought, “Over the years, patience has been a virtue he has learned in his quest to ferret out hidden truths.  He smiled politely to Dragonia.  “How may I be of service to you, Baroness?”

​"As you already know Snoop, I have placed the announcement for a council meeting in your newspaper.  In the absence of my grandfather, I wish to speak to the council concerning the sad state of the village.  The village needs to be revitalized.

Since Dragons have departed from here leaving a dragon nest egg shortage, these lands have not been as prosperous as before.  I would like to see that changed,” replied Dragonia.

​Nodding his head and peering over the top of his glasses, the Earl paused a moment before speaking.  He noticed that the Baroness was fidgeting slightly and appeared a touch nervous.

​Could he get her to reveal what was making her act so?  “I don’t know if a meeting is really necessary.  We all know it is a hopeless case without the Dragons' revenue so what is there really to talk about?” he slowly replied.  Snoop watched her purse her lips before she answered, “Aahh, she does have something to hide” he realized.

​“Perhaps I have a way to improve our situation Snoop,” she said “but I want to present the possibility to all of the council at once.”

Again, pausing to see if she would reveal more, he waited to see if she would continue.  When she did not, he realized if he was to find out more he would have to ‘snoop’ around for himself.  “I will be happy to hear your presentation at the meeting of the council Baroness, but now I must be going.  Many things to do and people to see before the next edition of the paper goes to print.  Have a pleasant day.”  Pushing his glasses back from the bridge of his nose and donning his hat, he arose to take his leave.