#dreaming

"It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." She manages.

"Sir, a pleasure." Hand to her chest and a bow.

Earl blinks "Mark Twain, you're Mark Twain. I..wow. I...pardon , I'm gushing"

"Oh now," Mister Twain says "I've been complimented many times and it always embarrasses me; I always feel they have not said enough" A wink "Here, Miss. Perhaps a bit more authenticity?" He taps the rail, the the Paddleboat takes on a more weathered appearance, no longer cute, but a once magnificent vessel but worn and aged"

"Wait, Mark Twain? Tom Sawyer Mark Twain?" Zane mutters

"Aye, Mister Clemens."

"Tom Sawyer, oh what a creation I made there " Mark Twain sighs "Got sour about the boy I'm afraid, but yet you'll find more of him here than you will me. Welcome to the Comet, which I come in on, and go out upon. She is my cradle and grave..keeping things right tidy. Please, board if you like"

Earl gestures for Zara "Ladies first"

"A pleasure, sir. Thank you."

She boards. "Oh, Bronte shall be furious she missed this!"

The boarding ramp, now more decript, makes a delightful creaking noise as she boards.

A pleased sigh at that.

Captain Twain takes a puff, and says "Bronte? I do believe I was once thrown out of a club where a Miss Bronte presided, thus speaking of it's high standards. Though I do recall the dear lady and I shared a dislike for Pride and Prejudice . You are in the dreaming now, a plane of high ideals and petty persistence alike.. I fancy that many of we authors fit both categories"

Earl and Zane follow.

"And how shall I call you? Lady and sirs?" Mark Twain smiles

"I am fond of Miss Austen's work, sir. And yours."

"I believe I have a few witticisms about books being better company than people, " The Chimera says

"Aye. And there is much truth in them."

"Yes, it did anger a lot of people" Clemens agrees "But I notice you avoid a labeling, Lady."

"Well, a full name would men trouble..."

Zane pipes up "The lady is Miss Leaf-fall, the tall gentleman is Sir Dreamstroke, and I am Mister Risinghill."

"Are you now?" Clemens looks amused "Nome de Morpheus indeed." A look "Where do we head?" As the boat starts

"Twin rivers, know you them?"

"I do believe I do," He nods "But I cannot take you all the way, I Hope you understand?"

"But of course."

"Two rivers... Twain.. mm I see why I'm here" Their captain says "Lady Leaf-fall, am I to understand you are fond of books? It is up to you, but there is a library within"

"And we've lost her" Earl/Sir Dreamstroke mutters

"A library?" Shimmer.

"Ah, we're on a quest, is there time for..." Zane starts to say only to have Earl put a hand on his shoulder and shake his head.

"Within and up the stairs, dear lady. "

That from Mark Twain

The sluagh murmurs a thanks and ZIPS up the stairs.

Zara has seen the greatest library of the Dreaming, she has her own library she loves deeply. She has walked between Lions to see what mortals muster

And has loved them all!

But oh, this is lovely. Books not just by Mark Twain himself (including a few drafts for projects that never panned out), but his contemporaries , And what a time it was for such.

It seems the bookbinding and more is of period as well.

Happy sluagh!

And she delves in.