#earthrunes

and the cantrip ends.

Humphrey (At least that's what we're calling him today) rises, dusts him self off... and gets to work.

And then comes back and provides decor. Small statuettes, Lions at the entry way to the little patch, albeit little lions sitting on stone toad stools.

He puts tiny flecks of silver in each eye of the lions... and starts to sing.

"There's a time in life when you
May get a great calling
And it seems so big at times
You feel like you may be falling
If you believe in who you are
There's no need to go running
Find your place and with your friends
The adventures keep on coming

For the pridelands
They're united
They're always on guard"

Glamour shines!

And Humphrey falls back, looking rather drained.

The now fully grown Shakespeare Garden flickers as a new trod ...

but not a completely open one. There must be a key, you see?

Humphrey dusts himself off...rises slowly...

And sure hopes this compromise works for all

He walks to a thane.

Rollo glances over at the guy "Yeah?"

"Roar" Humprhety says simple.

"What?" Rollo looks around "Vince causing trouble in the garden again?"

"Caw" Humphrey says without any enthusiasm

"Oh for.. just say what the problem is. Is this a threat to security, whatever it is?" The boggan thane insists

"MacBeth" the Toad pooka says with juuust a biit more energy.

"Look, buddy, is the hold being invaded? Is there someone breaking a rule, is a fight going on?" Rollo has little patience for monosyablic pooka guessing games.

A sigh then a shake of the ugly guy's head.

"Fine then... then I got orders to stand guard here until a real threat endangers the hold. I know it's hard for you guys to tell the truth, but as there is no way for one worded gibberish like you just did could translate in anyway, next time give me some more concrete clues" Rollo says "Okay?"

A long look, the pooka wets his lips, sighs, and goes to the balefire to rest up.

----------

Early in the morning, a certain Majestic pooka is strolling the garden. His hands cradle around a large mug of coffee rich with cream and a hint... or perhaps more than a hint... of 'Irish' to it. He stops mid-sip, gazing in awe at the additions to the Garden.

"Well, I'll be shaved naked and tied to a stone - Finally, some recognition here!" A purr of appreciation.

At last!

The patch was not easy to find, but Vince often roams through the bushes and shrubs, honing his charity hunting skills.

The two little lions certain resemble a 'certain handsome fellow'

Vince doesn't even feel whatever barrier is there, whatever 'key' is needed, he has it.

Looking very majestic indeed in flowing purple robes... wait, no, it's a dressing gown, and his feet are barefoot and dewey. Though, his mane WAS brushed, no bedhead here. One must have standards. He sips at his coffee, looking very pleased with himself, as though he DID do whatever it is what was done here.

Yes.. he could walk the silver and end up..somewhere else! AH

SHould he stick his head in... he might find silver trods leading to various areas... lots of theatrical chimera wandering around like confused drunks... should he know his theatre, well, he'll recognize the characters. Hamlet walks around carrying a skull that is telling jokes. Juliet and Romeo are talking "Well, I didn't know we'd come across as pervy just a century or two from now". Iago sometimes demands a cracker... and isn't sure why.

Well, this is OBVIOUSLY a sign... and he sets his coffee aside - nae, he swallows it down first! And he verily prances onto the trod with no hesitation, singing to himself as he goes...

"Tiptoe... through the tulips, dandylions, that is what you'll see
Come and tiptoe, leaving paw prints, with me....

_Tiptoe, through the garden, _
Lovely garden, where the lions be
And tiptoe, through the tulips, with me

Knee deep in flowers we'll stray,
And keep the autumn at bay...

and if I wander, in the garden,
As the sun shines, you must pardon me,
Lion hearts cannot be kept, from thee..."

Oh, Shakespearean bliss! While not as well read as some might be, he DOES enjoy Theatre...

..........

The Garden of Earth Runes.

He returns, to find his coffee cup waiting for him, and a pout, because he left it empty, and empty it remains. How rude, that no one has thought to re-fill it for him in his absence... A pause, turning back to gaze over the trod and the setup, committing it to memory, as he appreciates the effort put in.

Earl follows after Zara, "We're checking this before we even talk to August?"

"Aye." She cuts through the garden, heading for the cluster of rowan trees.

Vince is within, crouched to admire the placement of one of the small lion figurines - he absently takes a sip from the mug, then sighs, finding it still empty.

"Ah..ahem.. hi Vince" earl says.

"Tis grown... ah yes, good morn, Vincent." The sluagh pokes around... there are her labels, hidden under the now full-grown leaves...

He glances up, and gives Earl an easy smile and wave. His bare feet are quite dirty, though the garden stone paths are kept clean, and the hem of his dressing gown is damp with dew and fresh soil from the parks, and who knows what else picked up along the path. A larger smile and a purr of greeting to Zara. "Ah, Librarian fair, it is a pleasure to see thee this morning - I had thought thou, perhaps, a night-blooming flower..."

Removing the lock, Zara can tell, won't be as easy as moving the statuettes

Earl sighs at something.

"Dost thou appreciate my fine work here? If not by mine own hand, clearly, one can see the influence I have had in style, and grace..."

A furious look.

"Someone hast meddled. Claim you this?"

"Wait, you went through this trod to other locations? Are you.. did you say anything or do anything to open it?" Earl asks

Gesturing to the leonine setup, looking quite pleased.... though his expression falls as he sees her look. "Ah, lady... what has one done to be stabbed thusly with thine visage?" A hand to his heart, wounded. "I have meddled, aye, in walking through the welcoming paths herein, and seeing a doorway open? Call me guilty only of a cat's curiousity."

"But you.. found it thus, full-grown?" Her fury softens. A tetch.