#dreaming

Earl looks over at his girlfriend as they begin the walk home, "You have to stay on the trod for it to protect you." then he adds "Glutton" but affection.

Three hand illuminated Hans Christian Anderson stories no less, the greatest prize of them the Little Match Stick Girl. Oh what a quest it was to earn those services.

Zara hugs the books to her narrow chest, nearly beaming.

"But the Library needed them!" The Library, not Zara. Sure.

"What? with PDFs and smart phones able to get you books in your palm?" Oh he plays with fire. He's clearly a bit saucy after their encounter with that 'nearly death' trap.

"Fff!"

"These are treasures!"

"Worth being nearlly latched into an Iron Maiden level of treasure?" he reminds "The device that doesn't exist for mortals, but does for us?"

He pulls at the hole in his voile

"I got you out."

"You pulled the book out and then got me" He reminds

That's not necessarily exactly how it went

"I DID get you!"

"mmmph" He leans over and kisses her on the forehead, "Dont' mind me. I'm very jealous of the Little Match Stick Girl is all"

"Tis my favorite. It's so sad."

"it is." he says "Sad the little girl was only valued by the world once she left it"

Zara nods.

"Remember that chimera near Firnost?"

A frown and a nod.

"I wonder" He ponders "What we will see this yule?"

"I know not. Mayhaps Mari Lwyd."

"Perhaps" He says "Krumpus seems strongly fueled of late."

"I think he may be a redcap... or a kelpie?"

"Kelpies kidnap, nu?"

"So do Spriggan, nasty thallain"

"Aye, that's the one."

"I have heard rumors that some trolls are going north to mine from the Aureal Boreallis in the Far Dreaming."

"Mmm. Stardust."

"Can you imagine the use for such? In inking books, in paints?"

"Oh!"

"Know you which trolls?"

"I do." he smiles "I wouldn't call them friends, but they asked if I would flicker flash them a chunk of the way."

"My troll must needs paint in starlight."

"You may see me do it" A smile "If it's okay? I'll be gone for a weekend to help them get a third of the way there"

"I shall pine for thee all weekend. But aye."

"i'll bring you star dust from the midnight sun itself"

She affects a swoon.

And gets swept up, books and all into his arms craddled "I'll not let you hit the ground"

"My Knight and Day!"

"My Night and Lady" he counters and they soon vanish into the deeper dreaming.

Only to return to the waking world... and back to the DeBuke farm to make a report

(Gone to the farm)