#debukefarmhold

"No. I was a weaver of da'an ere I learned the secrets of Runes. One cannot pull a thread without affecting the whole tapestry."

"She's learned manythings the hard way, Abethia, but she has learned. She's.. exceptional" Emmit says

"You'll make the girl blush, Emmit" She says "But noted. Know this, Zara Swartz" She turns her eyes on the girl, "We do not make rash choices. "

Zara nods, meeting the crone's gaze.

"If you are as clever as the Mountain says, and as your actions so far show, you know what I mean when I say that" She adds with a sip

They haven't decided. The final judgement is still ongoing

Zara nods again.

Emmit is sure "She knows. " He takes a swig of his coffee "Now, Zara. We have used magics to learn all we can from her of her plots, of what happened but.. is there something you want to add?"

"I could tell you my perspective of the events?"

"Please" Abethia inquires

Zara nods again, and quietly shares the story - starting with the rude sidhe at Carnival. Suspicions raised at the Omen, and further alarmed at the note... attempts to scry, and how they were obstructed, even with her countermeasures. Zara rarely is explicit about her knowledge - but here, with a sluagh elder and her mentor, she is frank.

Emmit lisens intently. Abetthia does not seem as focused, yet Zara feels the old hag is like a sponge, she need no be active to drink it all in

She tells, too, of going to the Hollow - her failures, which led to her capture - but also what she achieved. Stopping the Orrery, identifying the Golem...

Being trapped is shameful - the dream-trap first, and the glass globe second.

Abethia says "I can see why you would wish this as secret, some.. aspects."

Zara looks down at her tea and nods. "I was injured when I tried to squirm through the gas vent, and recoiled."

Emmit however, smiles "Sorry for your trouble, Zara, but I confess- I'm mostly just proud of Earl."

Abethia says "Pain deters you. Noted. You are not alone in this"

"My Love was valiant." A quiet glow. Somewhere, a raven sings.

Not even the namers can spy that! And that may give Zara additional satisfaction

It does reassure.

"And.. I am proud of you" Emmit adds, "And you, Madame ?" To Abethia "What think you?"

Abethia gazes at Zara for a time evaluating, studying.

She waits, patient and quiet.

"I think you have a good eye for prospects, Master DeBuke," She leaves it at that, but Emmit nods with satisfaction

Gumming on her lip again.

Abethia lets a rattling breath out, it sounds like it could be her last, but she gently says "Young Zara, I think this was good for you. You do not strike me as arrogant, but it is good to be humbled once in a while. Nothing makes one appreciate tea more than wiping the taste from ash in their lips. You ..singular, would have failed. You plural, with your allies, succeeded. I suspect this has been the case before, where others with you, if alone, would have failed, but succeeded because you were with them as were others. There is a reason our organization is called a Circle, there is a reason a circle has power compared to a single point, no matter how bright that point, or sharp"

She nods. "Aye."

"She's saying don't beat yourself up, only in fancy sluagh talk" Emmit adds

A wry look at the troll.

Abethia sighs. Trolls might be noted for their grunting conversations, but Zara can read into that sigh.

"I have some experience with sluaghish ways, Mountain."

"Do tell? Huh" Emmit says

"he does this at circle meetings too" Abethia confides, "it's not as endearing as he seems to presume"

A soft chuff.

"What do YOU think should be our wayward namer's fate?" Emmit asks. A more serious tone once more

"I do not believe her knowledge may be taken... but... but I think, perhaps... for a time, at least, to have what she ironically adopted to become her own binding. You warned me, once, to be wary of how I nicknamed myself, lest it become true. What, then, if she were to be "harmless" in truth?"

"She sought change in a way that would have led to much bloodshed. She was uncaring of the cost."

The two grumps exchange a look, exasperatingly unreadable, do they approve? Disapprove? are they impressed?

A frown. "I do not wish her suffering. I wish her empathy."

Abethia finally finishes her tea "I fear the hour glass is spent, at least for me. " she rises "Childe, you have done well enough in stopping this scheme. you have done even better in bringing it to those who would understand the nature of the crimes. It was pleasant to make your company. I hope one day to have proper tea with you" Then a glance to Emmit "Mountain, you have my backing in your latest two proposals, but I am still unsure of the third. We will talk again soon"

"Thank you, Madame" Emmit says inclining his head " I hope to say you on that too. Mr. DeVere sends his regards"

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Crone Abethia. I, too, hope for tea."

And the old woman seems almost turn to mist and pour through the door as if it were the deepest dreaming

And Emmit smiles "Woman is a show off. " he does not shoo his apprentice away. There maybe, he knows, a need for more tea, and a few more questions