#anywhere

Zara MAY have used her 'choosing time' to read a lot of the books she was being asked to choose between

"May"

This is not unnoticed by Codexa, who grumbles under her breath, though Zara hears her "Guests , like Fish, begin to smell after three days- Ben Franklin"

“Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.”

Codexa gives a soft sigh and waits a bit more, even as Bronte flits about the books around like a manic butterfly in a field of wildflowers heavy with pollen

Codexa is unaware she may have burned some sympathy by her rather forward intrusion for her duel.

"It is an admirable hoard."

That DOES cause Codexa to puff up a bit with pleasure and pride "“I am incapable of mediocrity.”― Serge Gainsbourg "

A wry look. Perhaps a smile.

Bronte looks up from reading , a touch amused

The correspondence of ww2 romance letters was wonderful by the way, calling to Zara's troubadour legacy as it was full of longing... he on duty over seas, she working the factories at home.. every gap in their correspondence was as a knife blade to each other for they feared so. It was even more triumphant when they resumed and reassured that each was well, as well as one could be. It is also insightful to what 'code' was used to discuss changeling affairs. This was before Freeholds were plentiful after all, and each feared the other might fade to naught.

The Nocker's Treatise on Chimerical Alchemy has terms Zara has heard before, and great insights, but some aspects she'd have to be a nocker to truly appreciate. Never the less, while she values life, Zara may find some of the toxin lore is intriguing in sedative or even hallucinogenic properties. She finds in it, a recipe for 'Oracle Tea' , a useful tool one should not rely upon over much for meditative states when casting omens and the like.

Not overmuch is not the same as not at all...

The commoner Rebel's diary proves to hit close to home. For it belonged to a sluagh girl, a childling forced to war far too young when sidhe came and drove her motely out of the small weak ember hold they huddled about. She became a wilder during that war but even before her Togail she carried messages between Commoner Rebel divisions, valuble intel. More than once she was forced to take up arms to defend herself. Oh the diary has moments of such hope, much righteous rage, and mixed feelings of relief as peace came up, and hurt as... while David seemed a bright hope... in the end, the rebellion was lost.

The others have great appeal... but this? This is the one.

Indeed! the story of this girl turned woman drawn to rebellion must not be forgotten.

A kith-sister!

Seeing selection made, Bronte flutters over with one of her chosen books, then... sniffing at the remaining two Zara was looking at, "Wither goest thou?" Pointing with a tail first to the collected correspondence, then to the treastie and back again.

"Darling, you have only chosen one?"

Zara gets a coaxing lick to pick another "One is the loneliest number" then as if to explain Bronte switches quotes "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been. Madeleine L'Engle" after all SOMEONE's birthday is soon

"Well, if you insist..."

Vigorous nod

She picks up the bundle of letters.

And Codexa inclines her own little head with a sigh but yields up the three books chosen “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” —Anne Bradstreet"

Bronte takes their prizes (or allows Zara to carry them) and bids Codexa good day "You magnificent Bastard, I've read your book. -Paton"

And so Zara goes, dragged into an adventure of sorts, one featuring book wyrm battles, literary prizes, and friendship rewarded, back to Earthrunes!

After all, she has tea later with August, and these books might make WONDERFUL subjects for converse

(End Scene)