#earthrunes

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It might be odd, that the library has the visitor. The library is not warded. It is not shielded. At least not much. Yet Vashti comes forward, dressed in an elegant dress of pale gray and white. Were her own complexion not so pale already, it would not work.

The library is dim - it can be hard to determine if the librarian is present or not, given her predilections.

A soft candle is light, quite deliberately soft, and tea is set.

However, the question is quickly answered by a swoop of gold. " The king is in his counting house, counting out, counting out, counting..."

"Darling?" A whisper from the stacks, followed shortly by the white-haired sluagh. "Ah! Vashti!" She smiles, dark eyes a-sparkle.

"Ah, well, how much better than any mister is unexpected sister" a smile, "Doth thy Jarl come to raid tonight? I can withdraw"

"I do not believe so, though he may surprise me. Oh, and thou has brought tea. My most gracious sister."

"Odysseus would approve." She says nodding and she pours "I know we have chatted incessantly but if I may have your indulgence for a nonce. I bring a plea."

"Aye?" She sits, lightly folding her hands together.

"Our most generous genesis requests another meeting with you, most humbly. There are matters he believes might be of minor interest to thee. Crafters of Jewelry that once adorned Miriam and the like"

She adresses her sister kindly, as if she has not seen her in a long time and finds this offer most reasonable.

"He may request, but no. I shall not."

"But you will never know the names of those who you have sought lo these many centuries. Your blood has been pricked, Shylock."

"I have means beyond him. I do not need him, I do not desire him, I want naught to do with him."

"Means beyond? " She raises a brow "Mayhaps but why see through a child's looking glass when a telescope is offered?"

"Because the telescope is but another form of shackles."

"I am not hissss. No matter the blood, I am my own creature and my own master."

She gives almost a pittying look at the 'hissss'

Then sips

A brief frown and she picks up the tea for a sip.

"No one may be owned. Tis a falsehood, one perpetuated for the villain's gain."

"We all serve masters of one sort or another, sister. But a place at the table , at such a grand buffet? Think of yourself not as a slave in the making, but a valued consultant for a grander design. Much as you are here" She gestures "This library, was it not grand to work your skills here? You would find even great opportunities for control and learning both. Some might work for Carrot Gold, but you work for grander things, and those too he can provide. I am sure he would negotiate access to you of far greater libraries than this. Yours to shape, mold, and study from so that you could be a keeper of secrets that would have most of your goodly kith yearn with envy?"

"I serve at my pleasure, and bend no knee. A gilded cage is still a prison. I would set every bird free."

"Every bird needs a roost. And many of the ones you rest on, you may not find as...secure as you thought. But they can b e made more so with the right help" A drink then "Why, the Golden ROse would not dare even consider doing what she had tried afore with such protection over thee"

"I know his threat. He has caused harm to those dear to me."

"It has not earned him favor. Nay, the opposite. He has shown his nature, and I reject him."

"Then why not ensure it cannot come to pass again? You say you do not need, do not favor, but clearly this means you have a strong hand to play from for a better pot at the table. Why not have a few cards with the man? You might talk and find da'an has given you quite a flush set up"

"Because I do not wish to."

"So, " She says nodding slowly "You're saying there's a chance"

"I am not. I am saying I do not wish to see him. I do not want his baubles, his golden chains, his fine livery of servitude."

A sudden look of fear "There is no need for that sister. That is too sharp a kiss for myself" a swallow as if eyeing a knife

She tilts her head. "I do not understand."

"Yes, thy words are hard and clear and I see what rung on the pole I rank to thee" She touches her throat "I shall pass thy rejection and tell him we are denounced. Your pardon." She rises

Zara's eyes widen, hurt. "Thou art..."

A lowering of her head, then "Truly, you and father are very much alike. Neither care for me oermuch once I cease to entertain as a jongleur. So many balls i nthe air, I slip" And she withdraws

indeed, she makes long strides to increase her haste.

"Sister..."

If Zara should look around a corner, she will see a moth shooting down the hall past a thane who is , none the wiser. She is left with a tea set and half finished tea

She frowns, watching the moth go.

The tea wasn't even very good.

Zara heads back to the Library, a cloud over her head.

Bronte tils her own head with concern "Now is the winter of our discontent?"

"Aye. Tis."

Bronte moves towards her, landing on the shoulder and giving a light lick

"Aye, darling. Tell me of the book you are reading..." Gentle pets, quiet sadness.

Bronte says “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.”

"Oh... that's a hard book, love. A good one, but hard."

Bronte nods "Very hard"

"I am glad you are so brave as to tackle it. But if your heart hurts..." A sigh. "Well, that is a kind of beauty, too."