#dreaming

"I am glad.... I do love the farm, though, of course, I am an odd fit there..."

"Maybe Da'an is trying to teach me I need to open up on what' fits' period" Agenthe says then glances at Lord Exile "Don't let an imperfect fit keep you from being happy , Zara."

"Sometimes, it seems I belong nowhere..." She admits.

"I don't know where you belong" the Gargoyle says "But I know where I do. WIth you." He tells her

A smile.

"I imagine quite a few friends at Earth Runes are glad to know you" The meal is delicious, but Lady Aganthe looks at Lord Exile wit ha soft sort of hunger

then she sighs "We should go"

"Do you feel well enough to go home?"

"I know who I was now, and who I must be again" She says

"So we must go... but first, a working, aye?"

"I am not sure I am worthy, but I thank you" Lord Exile says and rises "if you are about to make good on your earlier offer"

"So those who are lost, those who wander... those with tales may find haven, yes." She picks out a small collection of bones. "Some may need home, not haven. Some may stay for but a few hours, and others for longer - so much as time means anything at all, in this place."

Using the bones, she starts building a circle of runes.

Zara feels like she's trying to drink in a universe, he's EVERYTHING here, Lord Exile. He is the universe... well, the universe they are in . His power is his chains, and his chains make his power bearable.

The Rusalka's gaze unfocuses as she drops and wheels in the scope of the vision.

She knew this, but there is something deeper here.

Images of a great bear chained. A beast that rules his cave.

and yet, and an ant slips free through the shackles where the bear cannot depart

She has her omen. His secret?

His secret.

Earl looks at her "is there more?"

"Now, I lay the augury..."

Lord Exile tilts his head "You are .. potent"

"First, it shall be one... an eshu, of course, blown off his path by da'an's nimble hand. He will find shelter here, and delight, and my sisters will long for him but he will prove too canny for their grasp."

"Tales will he share, and jests, for he is charming. And, if treated well, he shall slip away again... like an ant, aye? As he goes, he leaves a trail... and other restless feet will find and follow the sweet path..."

"Sweet it will be, and if welcome ther are, every visitor upon leaving will strengthen the pathways until - a time I know not when - it may glitter as the argent moon..."

Glamour builds and flow

"This is what I see, as da'an allows."

Zara calls herself a witch - but it is rare to see her work in the open.

Here, in the Dreaming, her magic is unimpeded by banality, by mortal limits...

And Fate itself steps to the side, and tips its hat changing it's path

"My word" Agnenthe says

"My lady is a witch" Earl the gargoyle says

PRide

"You have.. given me a path out.. It is only fair I give one to you, and more..." Lord Exile gestures.... and a silver path opens "But before you go. Favors I must grant. "

"It may take a long time... "

"Time is meaningless here" he shrugs "I have it in great comodity"

"But your favors... Tell me what you would have as a parting gift?"

"Ah," Earl sighs "We should probably be changed back to our own kiths"

A sigh.

"That seems hardly a boon" He says "A loss to the world..though perhaps the time is not right for those dreams to return, if they ever can"

"Well, give that one for free then, " The sidhe says, still an Iowan haggler at heart.

A laugh breaks from Lord Exile "I shall miss you, Aganthe" he says and takes her hand in his and kisses it.

The sidhe blushes.

"A point is made " he nods then considers "Or shall I merely grant gifts and you must deal with whatever I give you?"

"Oh, I would have perhaps asked for a book, but a surprise is ever so much more exciting..."

"Then you will have the scroll, and the book of the slavic fae lost or hidden..." And he whispers in her ear touching her belly

"Thank you, Lord Exile..." She stops, and listens.

(Whisper) "Be it your daughter, or your daughter's daughter, or your daughter's daughter's daughter... when Rusalka can return to the Autumn World, one of your get will dream dance and become one, and ... I add this. Whatever her kith sisters are like, may she know the value of life as you do"

Zara blushes, but smiles. "...thank you." A whisper.