#dreaming

The books hold mostly small surprises, if surprises at all. She loves the books though. Oh, she gets two good novels in before her keen Librarian training has her noticed a book that is not a novel, but rather.. a Travels book.. not of the past journeys of Mark Twain, but rather, of the Dreaming!

THAT is relevant!

Of course, they're looking for rivers, Mark Twain and his dreams would have a great deal of information about even the rivers of the Dreaming. Plucking that book up, she scans and finds there are maps in the book. As the Dreaming is..different, the map has vague moments and instructions. Such as the 'close your eyes cliffs' and the 'Never turn right in the Sinister Forest'.

Of course it does. But... the Equinox?

Sure enough, a danger marking at point of two rivers converging..."Here the Twain shall meet" is scribbled "But united is divided"

She writes down notes for herself.

And that's when earl enters "He's asking for directions or preferences.. do we have an idea where to go" A pause "Oh, I see we do" He looks at her notes

"Danger, Will Robinson... but aye."

"A sci fi show reference?" Amused "I didn't know you were a fan"

"Tis based on Shakespeare."

"Oh" He blushes "The Tempest?"

"What a brave new world that has such people in it!"

He smiles at that "Well , there we go." A pause "you must love Picard"

"I do, yes."

A smile "So.." He looks at the map "This river I think..follow it as far as he can take us, then get off.. here?" He points to an area near a ..swamp?

She nods. "Mucky walking, but more a burden on Zane than us..." She doesn't seem bothered by that.

"Well, he wanted to come along" A nod

"Tis his fault."

An amused look "I think you kind of like the kid even if he is contrary"

"Feh!"

His eyes sparkle, but he is wise and keeps his smile small. "I'll go tell them of our chosen path. Enjoy the books"

"Well... I should, perhaps, enjoy Twain's company whilst I may..."

"Perhaps I could read and observe above deck.."

"Oh you may have lost Twain to Zane. He's asking a million questions and they're debating oh..everything"

"Oh, good."

"But it's something to lilsten to if you want to hear some Twainisms... Zane's smart but that old wit made a living pointing things out to people"

A quirk.

"That could amuse."

And taking a few books, a small table and delicate chairs... She sits down to hear Zane and Twain talking. And.. tea awaits.

Most civilized.

If she enjoys watching Zane get outmatched with wordplay, well...

To his credit, the young satyr seems to direct his passions to enjoying even defeat as long as he learns something but he does osmetimes go 'ouch man'

A most amusing boat ride, all considered.

The waters are NOT safe, for under the silver streaks, if she looks, she can see things flowing... great pike. Almost ghost like spirits of the drowned waiting for others to cross and join, and weeds that will hold and pin. They're safe up here, but still

She might spend a fair amount of time watching the drowned dead, with fascination.

Each one, she knows with a story, a tragic death and perhaps equally tragic lives before.

She cannot learn them, perhaps - but she can imagine them, and that fills the journey with happy dreaming. Well, happy by a sluagh's standards.

Stories in each set of hollow eyes. Oh.. yes.

And then, they see the marshes.. the waters grow thicker, the swamp rises.

And there is a rikity dock

"Alas. All good things..."

"Miss Leaf Fall , it was a pleasure to have you as a guest, you and your friends" Captain Twain says

"And you, a most amicable captain. Thank you."

A chuckle "Heaven for the Ambiance, Hell for the company..."

"Precisely. Besides, harps are boring."

Earl escorts her off, "Says the violin girl"

"She plays the violin?" Zane says surprised following

"A bit. And violins are by far the superior instrument..."

"How did I not know this?"Zane says

Earl snorts at that