#anywhere

"Forgive me, forget I asked."

"I don't need to know. Probably best, actually."

"Well... Seneca was my hex. Truth, I did not quite expect it to be so dramatic."

"I was surprised, at the time. I'd hoped to take them without any injury but... I suppose his Da'an influenced things."

"I asked for, well - karma."

"It seems you got it." August agrees.

"Aye, but Mirwin was all you."

"Ah. Of course." He nods.

A little crease between her brows. "But it was."

"Zara, I just wanted to say thank you, and I have. I won't make a fuss but.... you know you have only to ask me for anything, and if it's within my power I'll do it."

"I know you would, aye. You are my friend. Now... well. What think you of the room? Velvet has been working to make the old one quite her own..."

"I think it suits you wonderfully! Do you have access to everything you need for it?"

"Aye! And look, here, a place to keep all of my pens..."

"Pens?" He looks.

August might recall having seen her pen "collection" before - in mugs and drawers and odd corners.

"I didn't realize you.... do you collect pens?"

"It is... complicated."

"Pens are?" with a smile.

"Aye!"

"Some can be, it is true."

"Well, twas a gift... the case... and here, you see, are my books..."

August obediently looks. "These are impressive. What criteria puts them here?"

"Well, they are my personal ones, not ones acquired for the library... mostly childhood favorites..."

"Or gifts from friends..." Her fingertips trail along the spines.

"I see." soft and fond.

"And here, of course, is the chair Hirim made..." Oh, AUgust gets the whole tour.

He is attentive to it all, complimentary and respectful.

"You have made this room a home, Zara. And I'm glad of it."

"I like it here."

"I am very glad to hear that, too."

"And you like it here."

"It is..... as you know.... not a place such as I ever envisioned myself in. I think it's more accurate to say that my home is with Coradel. And she is here."

"Fair enough."

"But the others like you, too. You are valued here. Not just by Coradel."

"Well there is the bannerhouse."

"And that follows thee."

"To my continued amazement."

If a mouse is observing from a crack and nodding, well, not sluagh or spiders have noticed

"Feh! Just accept you are beloved by many."

"It means the world to hear you say it, Zara. And.... you know that you suffer the same fate here? You have become vital to this place."

"So.. so it does seem, doesn't it?" A gentle shake of her head. "The two misfits."

".... seem to have found a way to fit."

"May I play mother?"

"Aye. Let me tell you of Bronte's antics..."

(Fade to tea)