#earthrunes

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A cup of tea steams on the table, and a golden dragonet snoozes on the open pages of a novel.

a silver and black shadow....

The library is mostly dark, save a dim lantern and moonlight. Most would stumble in the shadows.

cautious step, cautious step...and a hand reaches out towards the tea

"Tsk..."

The figure freezes, holding PERFECTLY still. PErhaps slaugh are like T rexes

She waits.

Seems no more sounds... perhaps its' working, very slowly lower the hand and it's contents near the cup....

And watch to see if the tea ripples with a sluaghs' tread

The shadows around the cup crawl and creep of their own accord, forming spectres of staring eyes.

And something drops next to the cup. And the figure races towards the door "This week on DAAAANGER seekers..."

A sigh, and the pale wraith goes to see what was dropped.

An envelope, fancy silver lettering and a dark red ribbon?

Eyebrow, and she picks up the envelope. Delicate fingers pull at the ribbon, and she checks what is inside.

Zara smiles to herself, and tucks the card away in a pocket.

Bronte opines "Manner Maketh Man"

"Well, I am glad he likes them."

More footsteps, nay, hoofsteps AND Foot steps

"I appreciate it, Sir Bachdion"// "Certainly, Sir Earl." //"You don't have to use my title" Earl says //"Yet you uses mine?" A chuckle "NOthing wrong with knighthood as long as you keep your ego in check about it, lad and you're quite modest"//"I have my moments."

Oh, hello....

Curious ears lead her to the wall, one pressing against the plaster to better hear.

"Earl, I can't help but notice no house has claimed you, or you haven't claimed a House. Surely you realize Fiona would never try to seize your family farm?"//"I think it highly unlikely they'd try, Sir, but ..no. Besides, I wouldn't want to be fearless. I Enjoy being scared too much" //"Mm well, there is just affilation, but as you like. I hope the tips I gave in your lessons help you get her there."//"I do too, Sir." Earl says

"Get her where? Oh Hunter-mine..."

An eyebrow. He heard her through the wall?

((well, she spoke to herself...))

Earl almost stops but then shakes his head at something "It's not just for her, but I want to make her world explode and then come together again in ways she's never known before"

Luckily, nobody is there to see Zara blush.

"You will, with what I can teach you, she'll be transported" Bachdion assures the young man. "And you with her, of course"

"Kind of the point," Earl says

Oh, satyrs... a soft sigh.

"I'm so close, sometimes I.. I know I can do it...reach out and cast wide all resistance" Earl sighs

"You can't force it," Bachdion says "you have to coax, so all opens FOR you"

"I know I know, I just get impatient. " He sighs "I want too much too fast."

"YOu're hardly alone in that, don't worry. You'll impress her soon enough" Bachdion assures "Flickerflash IS the last level of the art, after all. Took me many years"

"I know... oh well, thanks for today's lesson, Sir Bachdion, I should see if my lady is in the libary. She'd be cross with me if I didn't look in on her"//"Have you told her yet? About us?" Bachdion asks and waggles brows//"Now you're making it weird." A sigh Satyrs. "She hasn't asked."//"ha. Very well." Bachdion trots off, as Earl rounds the corner of the library

Zara settles in her favorite chair, and artfully pauses mid-sip when Earl enters.

"Hello, my hart, my hind" He smiles to see her

"Hart and hind, in one form? Oh, now that sounds like an interesting night..."

"Every night with you is interesting" He moves to her and looks around "How's the library doing? Folks behaving?"

"Aye, it seems so."

"I'm glad. This place is amazing. Youv'e done so much with it"

"I am fairly proud of it."

"Well you should be" He kisses her gently and takes a seat next to her, "mm nice blend. " Meaning the tea and..well, yes, her kiss

"Wouldst thou wish for a cup? I would offer, but I doubt my cream would please..."

"I'm fine. " He says

He seems to be staring at her with great thoughtfulness

"What?" A shy smile and she fidgets a little.

"Just thinking" a bit of a guilty smile "of you, of us. "