#a_room_at_firnost

"Mayhaps, Milady...knowing it shall happen, and is not, within thy control. Mayhaps that shall help, pardon?"

"Much, it seems...is betwixt others, and depends upon their actions....not thine."

She nods. "At least it will.. have happened. The waiting is worse."

"Aye, 'tis so. It can be." (Agreeably, mild)

"Yet.... Miss Dria, she is fond of Ice. She is, I have seen it. Despite."

"Despite?" (A pause, puzzled...then) "Ah!"

"Sooth...fairly, we knew ere his birth...that he was likely, to, ah." (A pause) "What he would be. Had she desire'd, then, to....not carry, to term, she need not have. So it is possible, that a Nocker can come to accept our...betimes unpleasant proclivities." (Some humor) "No doubt, the Lady Miriam shall, once the shock hath worn away. For truth..." (A hesitation) "May I tell thee aught?"

"Aye?"

"Most of our kin, sooth...do not...we do not....we know too much of sidhe, to be entirely....accepting, is this not so?"

"Yes. I count a few as... friends, I think. August, at least. Or pleasant acquaintances. But most.... they.. they are apart. And I do not trust them."

"And I know sluagh are not trusted. Not liked. The Uncles.... I am an exception, tolerated. They are very accommodating."

"With good reason, much of the time," (Thoughtfully) "Many amongst us, are counted assassins, and spies, for it does...rather play to our strengths. As such...I always seek to impress upon others...that e'en do they befriend such as thee, or I...do not take that, as the norm. I would not betray one of us, in favor of any....not e'en Mr. Brolin....but I can seek not to reassure them. An' that does make sense, pardon?" (A pause, thinking)

"And...Mr. Ice hath...a half-sister."

"He... he did not say."

"He does not acknowledge, I daresay." (He picks up the balls, and sighs, beginning to rotate, slowly) "She is sidhe."

She bites on her lower lip, and nods. "And so. Yes. She may not wish it."

"I know she may not."

"I know not. I do not know....an' she e'en knows her father, for her Lady Mother took her away, ere I could e'er see her." (A thoughtful silence) "And yet...I should quite like, to meet her."

"So I warrant....an' one such as I am...can desire to know her. Mayhaps the same analogue, may be found amongst the other kith, of us."

She nods, eyes closed. "Even with everything, I would not... undo what has happened, yes? To have met her. To see glimpses of who she is."

"Aye. So there is that, at the least." (A soft murmur) "To know."

"To know. Always that."

"As thou say'st." (A long silence, then) "I shall send the Tea, via the Baby. To....the shop, of thine Uncle? I have seen him, and thus, it can visit him. As I daresay, it shall be better, than appearing in thy house, unannounce'd, to any therein. I regret, I could not be of further assistance."

"You have been of assistance, sir, I think. ....Quiet, aye?"

"It is pleasantly so, here. I shall leave thee, to thy reading, and -- I shall take mine own rest. An' thou wilt excuse me?" (He tucks the balls into his kangaroo pocket, slowly)

"I wish thee fortune, in thy dilemmas."

(He inclines head to her, reaching over the arm of the chair to take hold of the guitar, and pull himself to standing) "And dost thou require aught, please do let me know, Miss."

"Thank thee, sir. For thy ear, and company. Shalom."

"Sha...lom." (It is clumsy in his mouth, but he tries. A brief, faint smile...and hobbles to the bookcase that swings out. Reaching to trip the concealed lever....and letting himself through. It swings closed after him, silently, and appears once more to be merely part of the wall of shelves) (GoNe)

Zara watches him go, before turning to find her book at last. In due course, she too leaves the library.