#earthrunes

“I shall not rest on my laurels, on this victory. T’would be an act worthy of a son of a birch, or one considered quite an Ash. Rather, once my novel has been rooted out, I shall move on, and leaf you to your conversations that I can branch out into my studies. My bark, after all, is worse than my bite.”

Shalimar looks at Zara ad tisks

"Oh! You two are impossible!" She's already distracted by the text, with its lovey illustrations. "Whiskers, I may stop by for that drink later." She begins to pace out of the library, reading.

Shalimar bows low as the lady departs

She scans the shelves, slender fingertips trailing through the air beyond the spines.

"Fine lady" he comments, "She should run for Baroness some time." Fondly

He watches Coradel leave, exhaling a held breath as she moves from his sight. Turning to trail after the sluagh at a respectful distance, he asks, “if you would also have any books that cover the histories of Arcadian families and how to reconnect with old friends....”

A faint sniff, "Aye, Baroness." A pause. "Ah!" Another slim volume - by a certain "Lord Almond" - "Your book on libations, sir."

"As for Arcadian families.... you are curious about the grove that has been planted here?" She looks at Vince, her dark eyes seeking.

He accepts it, watching her trail along the stacks. “Miss, if I may say, you are as much a lioness in your demesnes as our Baroness among her court.” He nods. “The Liam Lord and I used to share a close connection, that has faded in our autumn world. Perhaps, understanding shall help me to find a mend to frayed ties.” His tone, saddened as he admits his need. “Or perhaps I’m just helping the pooka twins cheat on their school work, to draw up the family tree. Just so.”

"August...." She starts, then gums on her lip again. "August is a good man."

He nods in agreement. “Despite his ah, rather wooden demeanor, as our striped friend mentioned, he has won himself the love of many here... not the least his lioness.”

She bristles a little. "I know that quite well."

The skunk pooka says "you seem awfully protective our oak. Why?"

The white-haired sluagh floats towards the history shelves. "August is my friend. He is from my hold, not here."

"Lady Hollow? I had no idea." He bows, then smiles "Pranks on him aside, we'd never beat him wit ha stick, lady Hollow."

"Be mindful. Not all pranks are done with good spirits, and it can be.. hard to tell after exposure to the other kind. Malice could be read where none exists."

She looks from the books to both pooka. "He is protected, vershtay?"

The Jester raises a brow, "Madame, you know in my duties as Seer of the hold, I'm obliged to scry everyone now and then."

"I understand. But... you would not wish harm, would you?"

"Others... others used the guise of 'jokes' to... humiliate, to tear down one they already kicked. There was no pedestal to tumble."

the Jester frowns. and straightens his outfit, "If I gave you insult, may I congratulate you for finding balance so rapidly?"

A bit of a glare for some reason

"The books are returned, and Bronte safe, and sight, I imagine, is clear. No harm, no foul."

"Though I fear the teapot shan't recover..."

“Lady of the library, please rest assured that my very livelihood is in the treatment of good spirits.” He bows his head to her as he accepts the books she has pulled for him.

"Madame, were someone to come into your igloo, and then tell you that the seal you now considered one of your own better not be hurt or they'd break your leg, capiche, how would you feel towards them? Particularly, when you had been looking after that seal with great affection?"

"I care not if you like me. August is protected."

"Manners maketh sluagh I had heard, but the world is full of lies. More's the pity"

She bristles again. "A pooka would know lies, sirrah."

"Hm." A book from the shelf and she thumbs through it.

“Sheath your claws, kitten, I fear you seek to sharpen them on those who fight your same battles. I can speak for all at the hold, though not for myself, when I say that the Liam is very dear.” A hand held to his heart.

"Exactly," A nod, "You would make foes of friends, and that's a magic trick that might be impressive, but like conjuringly yourself into the sun you might want to consider the return ticket. "

"I.... please. I am asking that you be mindful. What might seem innocuous... in context, with... precedent... might not.. not be received as such, aye?"

"Aye, I suppose that's true from every angle of this triangle" Begrudging

"I do not ascribe ill will. But... but potential for ignorance."

Her cheeks flush at something, and she puts the book back.

the pooka says "We all seek to do right...and other things as well, what book do your seek anyway?"

"The Lion inquired of fae families. This is the right section, but... " She selects another to skim.

He leans in, watching the perusal with interest.

"I know not the best choice off hand. Knew you the Liam in another life, Lion? The Fiona?"

"mmm famillies..." a gesture "The Baron had an interest in some of them..." A bite of his lip

“Aye, the entire tree. Back when he was Margrave, and I was... well.” A shrug. “The king, obviously.”

"Obviously. Another life. Many lives ago." A distant look.

The Jester closes his eyes, "A walrus once told me a poem... he was tired of carpenters. 'When Liam Lord's King took the forbidden to do the Forbidden, the Lioness he feigned to Spurn. Playing her part, though it broke her heart- She stormed away, but under that storm, the King's actions were clouded. And the Margrave bought them time. And because he was alone. They took only HIS throne. ANd only he bore the crime"

"Aye. That was a clever walrus." She shakes herself back to the present. "Oh, I see an oak... that has potential." Another book to flip through!

He turns to Shalimar, and softly intones. “And the lion that hunted by his side, would have paced with him onward, but was denied. Sent back instead, to stand beside, his Lioness, and her feigned abandoned Pride.”

“Apologies, Lady, Sir. The dust here is making my nose itch.” He turns and steps out, briskly taking his leave.

"I.." The skunk watches him leave