#earthrunes

"If you say so," he says "Frankly russian lit makes me want to jump off a cliff"

A sigh. "Pity."

"That's the same thing the Countess said when I gave that opinion to her. Sorry it's so dusty. I asked her if she wanted me to clean it off, she said 'why ever for' then said 'Miss Zara will find all she needs in the book when she sees through the dust with her own eyes.'"

An eyebrow. "Interesting."

A very subtle glamour.. not on the book, but the dust within. Blow the dust out and she should get a message of sorts. Interesting!

A grin. Oh, that's a happy sluagh. Then... puff!

(Perhaps she should have waited, but... curiosity called.)

The dust flies out in a cloud and...words form... not just words, but a list!

and names that, judging by the victorian and russian stylings and nicknames morbid and the like indicate...

it's a list of sluagh near Poughkeepsie!

Where they dwell... their names...

and brief little notes about their interests though nothing they wouldn't tell another sluagh

Zara's eyes widen, and she reads as quickly as she may - she can pen the details later, but...

"What the heck?" Her brother says staring at the cloud

Shorthand notes - true shorthand, because of course...

"Who is Nihtercott the Uneven? And what does it mean that he's interested in nocturnal karmic enumeration? "

She may want to shush her brother. She's writing this DOWN

and sidhe questions should wait. Heck, he shouldn't even be looking at these names.

"Get thee to Lady Velvet, ask he to find August... she is likely down the hall, reading a parlour romance."

"Of course, your majesty." Ivory says as he's ordered out with a mix of humor and fussiness. He does however go.

A list of seven names...can she get them all?

She can certainly try... scribble scribble, purple ink...

Well she gets the names, but thanks to sidhe noisiness (Let's blame the sidhe shall we? ) she has two without adresses and one with a notation missing

A sigh at what is lost, but she tucks away the names for later. She can likely network for the last addresses....

Indeed, the countess must have spent sometime researching this for her on her behalf , knowing Zara's family affairs held her back from having the time. This is highly generous! And the way she sent it...

oh, but this dust she uses. Zara had not see anything like it. It's not like goblin parchment, but still, useful. Another matter to discuss with the countess. Is this something that can be crafted by some alchemy known only to her kith?

Zara collects some of the spent dust in an envelope for further study...

Oh study she shall.

A good beginning, at least.

And oh, a reason for sending out proper letters!

Indeed, Zara almost feels a sense of reminder about her own kith. Mr. DeVere has been genteel and proper, and Jacob, while irritating as is his duty as a little brother, sweet enough, but the Countess has, with or without meaning to, driven home the point that Zara has many kith mates out there and that as a sluagh, she need not be severed from them- as long as proprieties are observed. Oh she loves Earl, delights in August's friendship, but she might even be able to attend a high tea again with a full circle of sluagh. When's the last time that happened?

She... can barely recall. Years, at this point.

True, she is overly gregarious...

Oh to have 3 or even more at a table with her, each speaking at the proper volume, as polite conversation gives way to the sublime art of trade of secrets. Hoarded truths add such flavor to any refreshment. Why, if she herself hosts one time, she has a tea set that she is sure will impress.

And Jacob could come! He would do well - she had Madame Grey to instruct, btu what kind of example has her brother had?

Why not much. Though hopefully he's met Marzyana while visiting Scarsdale.

For a time, Zara finds herself absorbed in pleasant day dream of high tea and quiet circles, of secrets flowing like a slow moving river's outstretched tributary to another... of the finest china, the most intelligent conversation on Victorian matters and interests, and of so much more that makes up what it means to be a whisperer. Then? Footsteps from outside her daydream.

Engraved invitations. Pu'erh tea. Cucumber sandwiches... oh yes, it's a pleasant daydream.

"Zara?" Earl's voice now follows his footsteps

"Love!" A smile - if she must be startled back, this is the way to do it.

he smiles to see her smile, "You'll never guess who I saw in the hall, unless he came here first which I hope he did."

"Ivory, aye?"

"I sent him hunting for August..."

"That's the fellow. August eh? Mmm.. is there some reason Velvet seems cross?"

"I... am uncertain?"

"She was clutching a book close and said she was looking for some place private."

"Ahhh. Ivory disrupted her. My fault. Do you mind if I invite her in here? Bronte is fond of her, anyhow.."

"I don't mind at all. I like Velvet, she's a bit preoccupied with passing souls but.. every wilder needs interests" He nods

"I will admit, her pet topic is intriguing."