#earthrunes

"Thank you, again, zara"

"For her sake." A gentle shrug. "I wish you luck in your quest. The world... aye.. not just for her heart, but the world could use some beauty in it."

"you're a bit romantic yourself, if I may say so." A nod "I'll be off. my regards to your own fellow, Earl. Tell him I'll be by for my commission after this if you see him"

"I shall. Shalom, sir."

"Da'an be kind" And off he goes.

The library is as it was more or less.

Zara straightens a few books and goes back to her reading.

perhaps zara does not see the cat tail

perhaps zara does not notice the book missing.

...perhaps...

Isis, first of her name (Just ask her) continues to try to slip out with her prize.

Bronte stretches, and arcs, the very image of a dragoness sniffing about for a hobbit that might have intruded on her hoard.

in delightful miniature.

"No cookies while reading, nu?"

"You musn't get chocolate on the pages."

"Eeek" Isis says then coughs "Of course not, cookies are booswhaaah" Loftily mangling the language

"Aye. Cookies after."

"Probably some dog did it"

"Mayhaps." An arch, knowing look - directly at the kitten.

Her ears go back, eyes widen, tail a bit out and she gulps "Not like I'm afraid." ZOOM... and she's gone.

Bronte chuckles

Zara scritches beneath the dragonet's chin. "Indeed." A cat-like smile.

“A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden.”
― Robert Sowthey

Two happy creatures, a bookwyrm and her librarian

(End Scene)

***********

Coradel wanders into the library, rapping her knuckles lightly against a bookshelf. "Hello? Zara, are you here?"

The hours have slipped away, Zara lost in worlds built of ink and dreamscapes... she startles at the soft rap, having not noticed the sidhe's approach. "Oh! Coradel!"

She turns at the sound and spots the sluagh in a dim corner. "Ah, there you are. Did I startle you?"

"Ah... no, no, not at all..." She rises, smoothing her hair and brushing her tunic. "How may I aid?"

"Well, I was hoping we might have something of an equestrian section in here...." She gestures generally at the treasure trove of books. "I hadn't considered investigating it before."

Her brow furrows briefly. "We have a few books that mention horses... novels, certainly.... but aye, I know you ride."

"I may be able to source something on fae steeds, also."

"Hmm...the novels might be nice, yes, but I was thinking more of...well, medical texts, I suppose? Or works on breeding, or managing stables. I'm not quite sure, really, but something...informative. And for mortal steeds first, though I could certainly learn more about fae steeds as well."

A pause. "Have you read any of the classics? Marguerite Henry, in particular, can be enchanting..." She seeks a shelf, fingertips tracing along the spines. The sluagh does not seem to mind the dim light. "More practical sources, certainly. Likely a trivial cost - chimerical books are more difficult to acquire."

"Marguerite Henry? What did she write? And of course, how much do you think you will need to obtain some? I can make sure you have some funds in advance of searching."

"Books about horses - real ones, actually. Here. 'Misty of Chincoteague.' Give it a try." She offers it out. "A few hundred? I will make it a priority."

"I will get that for you by the end of the day," she says, then takes the book and turns it in her hands, looking at the cover.

"You like this one?"

"Chincoteague is an island - they have wild horses there, untamed. I've never been, but I can just picture them - frolicking, dancing, as the surf crashes against the sand.."

That definitely sparks interest. "Really? Oh, that sounds beautiful. I should make a point of going."

"It is not so far - it is off the coast of Virginia."

"You have seen the Atlantic, yes?"

"Well, from above, yes. Bachdion did enjoy travelling by WindRunner during my fostering! But the only coast we really visited for any length of time, if I recall, was the Western one."

"Pfft. The Pacific."

A bemused look. "You don't approve?"

"Nay - the Atlantic, especially in Winter. You should see her, wine-dark and full of secrets. The Pacific has no seasons, but the ocean of summer and the ocean of winter are vastly different ladies."

"Hmm. I hear there's not so much surfing on the Eastern coast."

"No, there isn't."