#dreaming

In the dreaming, in a great library, Zara is engrossed in a book thought lost to all. One of her favorite writers, a novel mortals will never read, never know. In some ways the ultimate blending of wonder and secrecy. It maybe the closest thing she's ever come to cerebral euphoria

Yes, yes, others quested for knowledge... but this?

Pure pleasure. She nudges Earl from time to time, to point out a witty line. Her troll makes a good lounge.

He looks from his own reading with a grin, or even a soft laugh depending on the line. Earl loves the feel of her against him, despite that here in the dreaming she is all flesh and bone. He shares with her views of the illustrated book that was lost, set to teach painters during the renaissance. Breath taking... and then each of them is drawn back into their respective choice books, and yet together even in their separate worlds.

A happy sigh, her head resting against his chest and one arm twined around his. Life is good.

She can hear the breath in his great chest, like a soft breeze over foothills. He can smell the rich earthiness of her mingling with the scents of the books about them. An odd perfume, but it is so natural for her. Beyond them, Bronte chases Dahl... oh she seems set to prove to him that her Austen is superior to his Ogden Nash, but with a lazy confidence the younger wyrm finds infuriating and oddly intriguing, he just radiates a kind of draconic cockiness and will quote chillings story verses at her as if they were as important as Wuthering Heights

Bronte is well prepared - the bookwyrm ward of a bibliophile, Zara has given her access to literary greats.

Indeed, Bronte even catches Dahl off guard once or twice, impressing him openly before he goes back to joking again. It is not often, but she cherishes her 'victories' all the more for that. And other Bookwyrms in the area nod approvingly as they bask on their tomes like lizards on sunny rocks.

A little smile from the sluagh when she catches an exchange.

Earl notices too, and whispers "you tell 'im, Bronte" with a smile.

The hierarchy of the Bookwyrms is definitely a meritocracy with overtones of great respect for seniority and bound by a common lust for literature. If one chooses to think on it, one might realize it's not so unlike certain book clubs, though the books are perhaps not shared quite as easily. Little niches have been carved out, but eventually deserted. No bookwyrm in this library can stand the thought of missing something in another section, so they leave their 'hoard' alone 'just for a bit' and in that moment, other bookwyrms fly to the spot and look over it anyway. The lovable greedy dragon kin are slaves to that most amazing foible 'the need to see', at least where books are concerned.

Zara...understands.

If earl has made the same observation, or pondered that same foible having good reason for Zara's understanding? Well, he wisely keeps it to himself.