#earthrunes

The visit to Mr. Gluminski is quite pleasant. he is in a fine mood as the plague has reduced traffic flow to his shop next to zero! Zara listens to him show his latest sad tales in item form with interest.

"This I think you will particularly like, this diary, a keep sake... notice the blood stains? The girl attempted to write down the name of her attacker... and it was used to prove his guilt in court of law .. I think it was in the mid 20th century. Her revenge was from beyond the grave... and he most certainly fried for it"

"Delightful!"

"I believe it was once a fetter the girl but one way or another.. she moved on... you know of fetters, da?"

"Aye. I have the possession of some."

"Ahhh fortunate you are" he nods. he goes onto a discussion of some in the shop, but... she realizes he is discussing pleasantries... there is something less dear to his heart he wishes to bring up, but as a gentleman, he is reluctant to be.. blatant.

Pleasantries are addressed - as etiquette demands. It is an accustomed dance for sluagh. But, when formalities are met.... "And how goes else, sir?"

An opening!

"oh for me, very well, but you know how it is, even when one is fortunate enough to live in a time of isolation, devastation, and loneliness, there are always visitors. Fortunately most are as pleasant as your self of late.. another kith sister dropped by..bringing me news of still further events out. News of ..paler's brood came up. i'm sure i need not bore you with the story" polite ignorance

An eyebrow. "Another? Oh, such a story would not bore me, no..."

"It would appear in fare flung Renaissance. one asked for haven. curious, no? to be fair, that is a far piece and the young lady who told me of it was aghast that the knowledge my diffuse to the point of ..gossip. I assured her she had not gossiped, and was quite genteel in her delivery and i would see that this was indeed news to someone. "

"I know of Renaissance... aye..." A pause, realizing something. "Mexico."

"Da, it is in Feathered Serpent... west side I think? i do not often leave my shop. such adventures are for..oh wilders. New Countess is same as old Freeholder.. Liams making a power grab... lost girls found... details on this I do not know." a nose wrinkle

"...lost girls?"

"rumors of trafficking... i collect stories of sorrow, i imagine stories are being made near fenix even as we speak"

She steeples her fingers and nods. "There... is more going on, aye. Of sorrow, of slaves. The Balor are known for this, but it is not exclusive to them..."

"yes, but a paler girl slipping into the hold and then revealing her name...to a liam daughter no less. well, someone thought i knew someone who would want to investigate. as for the more going on, well, if you wish to tell me a few details, i would not be so rude to turn away any knowledge"

"These may or may not be related, I know not yet..."

"Women, children... stolen, transported, put to labor to profit masters..."

"A web, layers of charlatan's silk, to conceal the fat spider behind it all."

"I spied his work in Mexico. Velvet was of a great assistance... she is a good girl, nu?"

"i am no crusader, but you know our kith's history. one of our prouder momments, unsung by the other kithain as if we needed their approval, was our work in removing child labor from much of the world. the boggans were unwitting allies, but it was we thriving in victorian times that noticed it first...and began to terrorize the mothers of the well to do with visions of their own offspring in the urchins place. " and a nod "and yes, miss velvet is most examplary. a touch too enamoured of noble lifestyle, but she's young"

"She is young, but very diligent in her studies. That the curse of youth may pass, and she wither well."

"oh, you a kind heart, yes yes, i too have hopes both you and she will be grand ole crones. both of you show how you say so much promise?"

"now, this fat spider, normally one admires arachnids, but this web spinner...not so pleasant clearly"

"Nay. Heard you the tale of Tantalus?"

"ah... yes, a most unpleasant fellow. the shame of his kin. he is the weaver you suspect?"

Zara nods, and recounts her discovery through Magnus' notes... as well as her previous encounter with the man. And the Fool Liam who released him.

"ah, jude, he does have time limits on his punishments I hear ,but I thought Tantalus' crimes would.. mmm interestink" a soft cough "it seems it may yet fall to one of ours to see to a clean up where sidhe fail...though i am glad sir magnus is dogged" then an admission "the fiona is a fine fellow but his tendency to be open about secret affairs does make me twitch. still, overall a good man"

"I was younger and more merciful then."

"I shall not trust others to contain Tantalus in the future. I shall tend him myself."

" i see...do be careful, young lady. it's unseemly to have favorites, but despite your social nature, i am bordering on passing fond."

"I am shamefully outgoing, aye. A failing. I do try to use it for the best of my cousins."

"it is appreciated, my dear. your bold stance of the front line of ... niceties , so that others of us need not face them has not gone unnoticed"

a somber approval

A humble head-duck.

a pause "I am afraid I have my shop to attend to but, should you return with news of the bloodsucker in question, i would be honored to hear it over a cup of tea" he invites her, and as he is not gregarious, this is meant as a gesture of respect. An elder inviting a younger one?

it is a step in the genteel circles

"I would be most honored, in turn."

"da, just so. may your enemies shadows be their betrayers while yours remains faithful" it is kind blessing in their world, and partings under way, zara soon finds herself heading back to earth runes with much on her mind, and thoughts of mexico among them.

(end scene)