#earthrunes

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Zara was up early, stealing a cup of tea and ghosting off to the library where the Three Books are set out on a table. Bronte is set up with another Ogden Nash book, curled up in a ball to nap on the open pages.

The door pushes open, and August steps in. Holding a cup of coffee, not tea. Looking.... tired. Even, rough.

College Frosh Year is hard.

"Good morning, August."

Zara has a piece of paper and an old-fashioned dip pen - she seems to be working out something on it in long columns. August recognizes the alphabet, but the words don't... seem... Hebrew...

He looks around, finds her. "Oh.. Zara!" Delighted, he comes over and joins her. "I didn't know you were here, I'm sorry...."

"Well, I stayed overnight. When I was re-shelving, I found these... and, see? There's a cipher... I.. well, I want to see if I can crack it."

"Really?" Interested. "That's... wait, where did you stay?"

"A guest room? Delores let me. And I found a bite to eat, too."

"I will get you a room." He promises. "A proper one." A smile. "A good one."

"And food, and... I'll take care of... wait, hold on.... I don't need to know details but... are your kith taken care of here?"

"The guest room was nice... really, it was."

"I haven't seen others yet." A little frown. "Are there?"

"I don't know." Blankly. "But... if there are, I would welcome them. For you." That warm smile.

"Aye, you would. You're a good person, August. I'm glad we're friends."

She squints at the books and adds another line of symbols - wait, are those runes in the mix?

Softly. "Are you working?" He moves away. "You're working. Ok."

He takes a book out from where he had tucked it, and settles down to read.

"No... sorry? Please? I can talk. We don't...it..."

"What?" Looking back to her, with a smile.

"We can talk."

He slides closer, closing the book. "I'll set something up for you and yours."

"That's good, aye. I will make sure that that's known. You might not have any because of Sir Sergei... I've avoided him so far, I don't think he's noticed me."

"Oh." A pause. "Zara...."

"Sir Sergei is... well. Are you ok with him?"

"I do not know the man, please, do not take that as... condemnation?... but.. but I would prefer not to have any confrontation."

"Ok. If there is a problem, you let me know." FIRM.

"There is not a problem. I've... my experiences with that house have not been great, but I recognize that... that..." She shrugs.

"He seems to be very good with the animals."

"But that is likely why there are no sluagh at court. Mayhaps some in the barony's holdings, though. Surely."

After a moment "Zara......" a pause "....how can I help?"

"Help? No, please, I'm sorry. Sergei is fine. Like I said, I don't think he even knows I have been here."

"Did Coradel show you the book? She borrowed one yesterday."

With understanding. "And that is good... book?" HOPE.

OOC afk...

"Aye. The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Very Fiona, of course."

He swallows. "Ah. Yes."

"Third edition, not first - though the first American. It's lovely poetry. Romantic." A sidelong glance at the Liam. "Surely, poetry would please thee?"

He shrugs, smiles. "I hope to read it in the original. Someday."

"Oh, quite! Though I think half of the magic might be Fitzgerald's...."

"He was more than a bit interpretative. Still. I am glad Coradel showed an interest in a book... though I hope that.. " She falters. "We'll still be able to read together, nu?"

"Yes! Of course." A pause. "Book?"

"The Rubaiyat? I quoted it, and..." she shrugs. "Caught her interest."

"The Lion was here, too. And Shalimar."

"She... yes?" A grin. " Well..." A frown.

"He said... you remember past lives, nu? Arcadia?"

"...do you remember me?"

A shift, and then..... "Zara... I do. Sometimes. But.... if wishing made it so....no." He takes her hand. "I don't."

Something crestfallen in her eyes, and she nods. "Aye."