#earthrunes

"So much paper..."

"Oh it will be lovely when it's used right... dont' worry, we'll assemble it when it's right, dear. We'll put it in that extra room we use as storage. Now remember, no talking even near the library. I'm told she can hear far further than you think"

"I remember, though I still think he's exaggerating her listening skills. Fortunately, she wasn't there. Charity and I just did a light touch up."

"You didn't wipe the webs did you? I will not have Miss Zara feel unwelcome in the library she has taken such care to shape. She's done too much for this hold to be disregarded."

"We let them be... though I admit I really wanted to."

Paper in a storage room... paper?

"it's tempting, yes. Now, you'll excuse me, Meggi. I need to check on the dress maker"

Vashti!

"Of course, Steward. Oh, did you hear the rumor? ANother one of those chimera appeared looking like Sir August! I heard Dame Claire beheaded it and is keeping the head as a trophy"

An amused ahem "Well, I doubt she's that morbid, but we'll find out for sure eventually . Later, Meggi"

And ..they're splitting. Tap tap who to follow?

Delores.

And off....

Delores goes to Vashti's chamber...

"Vashti? How's it going? I.. pardon me, is that a skunk tail around a flowing cloak's top?"

"Oh this is just something to wear to remind my lover of the hairs most petite by which I maintain a hold," Vashti blinks, "How may I serve thee, Stewart?"

Zara smiles at her sister, unseen, but fond.

"It's about the plans the boys have for your sister," Delores says as 1122 taps and translates.

Vashti looks about, "Mine sister doth have more ears than a bat cave. Art though sure we are undisturbed for such conspiracy against her?"

The boys. Earl... and... August?

"Hardly a conspiracy, Vashti and..well, from what I understand she's not in the hold. I suppose she could be scrying us but why would she?" Delores says

"Whyfore indeed," Vashti looks about mid stitch "She's had so little need of paranoia in the last few years, she hardly would have reason to indulge. Mayhaps a bit of..." She throws sme thereads in the air. Oh! Something meant to fuddle any scrying perhaps... too bad it's 1122 not scrying that's at work

"Very nice," Delores says noting the precaution, "Are the items ready? For the special night?"

"oh aye, fit for a queen, and fit for a princess respectively. Her induction into the inner circle will proceed properly, and I imagine when she is caught in the grips of azure doom she will be swept away, helplessly." Vashti nods "and none can save her."

Pooka!

Delores sighs at the pooka talk, "Well, I hope I'm reading you right. Just remember, it is very soon...and we have to make sure it's all ready for when she and our guests are here. She might bolt. Skittish girl."

An amused look at the still wilder boggan from the moth pooka, "Oh aye, grandame Delores, so young and spring like is she she might defy autumn plannings. Tis always possible... but in truth, I think a part of her will be there. Marple must needs come to the crime scene, scorpion like."

"Beg pardon?" The boggan says

"Tis in our natures," The Pooka clarifies.

1122 would like to know if there are actually going to BE scorpions, because he's not crazy about those racist assholes

A tendril of reassurance. She'd protect him!

Much assured.

"Ah, I think I understand. Mmm.. maybe I should drop a few hints after all..." Delores says "The better to lure her a bit with, but not enough to give things away?"

Conspiracy! Ohhh, she is betrayed by all. But, dammit, she's also curious...

Vashti laughs sweetly at that, then says in dulcet tones "No, Lieutenant, your men are already dead."

"BEG Pardon?" The boggan blinks

"tis a quote from William and Theodore's most exquisite egress" the Pooka explains, "I mean to say most assuredly the fish never see the lure being attached on the pier"

"Well goodness sake now you're making me paranoid" Delores hurumphs "Fine. We'll leave as is. Maybe she's spoiling things for herself, maybe not, but we'll play it through to the bitter end...the final curtain, and so on. Just make sure all the garments are ready before the big night, thank you."

"Oh yes," the pooka assures, "The stars will align in the great conjunction, and she? The center sacrifice."

"Ah..huh," Delores sighs "Carry on" and leaves.

Vashti looiks about "if may haps my fuddle fuzzled, let me tell thee sister that the only way out is through the gauntlet of tears."

WHere too next? 1122 asks

Back home, or as he wills.

And soon he returns to her and looks again at the cleaning. At least they left the webs alone.

But now Zara must dwell on this strange conspiracy, this... this plot!

Betrayal!

The Boys, eh?

mmmph!

but for now, zara must wallow in.. not knowing.

Hissss