#earthrunes

Zara.. Zara does

and there, in an aquarium near a hand, is the ball. The hand gives it a shake now and then.

The shadow inside of the snow globe huffs . At least she had her fun..

"Oh... oh dear."

But one image alarms her most of all... this other Zara' poking August

She closes her eyes.

In a 'you missed a good thing' speech

"This is embarrassing."

"Anyone having their shadow given free reign would face similar id like moments I suspect" The Eiluned assures her "And while I find it fascinating, I certainly won't be letting boggans hear of this from me"

"fate forefend" Velvet adds at the notion

"At least I know where it wound up..."

"Ah, the goal achieved then. You recognize the boy? Do you require furhter assistance or will you be retrieving yourself?" He asks

"I... shall retrieve myself, aye."

A nod " i should get back to my own study and see what work awaits for me" He says "I didn't understand some of the images, if that comforts you"

"It does, aye."

A nod, then a look to Velvet "Squire, I noticed you watching. If I may say?"

"Sir?" A headlift

"Just a thought, but failure is only an obstacle to those that do not try again, to some, such as Miss Zara and myself here? It is a stepping stone. Fail enough times, and you will find you have supplied a stairway to success. Only those who surrender are truly defeated" And he walks out

leaving some new books to be sorted

Velvet makes a face and whispers "he knows the wax work was mine, I suspect"

"Eiluned are... frustrating, that way. Come, let us examine these new tomes..."

And they do, it 's soothing, new books, admiring them, indexing.. tea

(End scene)

Earth Runes is covetly preparing for a party!

Maybe not that covertly

Well, there's covertly, and then there's covertly...and then there's the mad scramble that is the current proceedings.

"More streamers! More lace! And more RED, woman, that's the ticket!" Vince prances about, helping here and there. Much too busy to give Coradel more than an outlandish bow and blown kiss, before he's drawn away to 'Advise' somewhere less in the way.

Emma trails after Vince with an armful of flowers - and another bundle in her tail.

And he carefully LIFTS the pooka above his head - oh, maybe he learned that move from Davey, swan lake - except with Lions and Possoms, and she can now reach to garland a corner high above.

Teamwork!

Stevi and Gideon are arguing over the best songs to play for this

Coradel gracefully "oversees" the activity with encouraging words and smiles (and no real decision-making; that's for the boggans).

August hunts cautiously through the halls, looking for Coradel.

She's not too hard to find, in the center of all the bustle.

Innish moves along "Invitations are easy... mostly insular..." But going over the list

August hangs back a moment, watching.

Shalimar walks along on a phone "But if I can't get some chimerical baby sharks to juggle it'll make no SENSE when I sing in that tune in my typical soprano... "

Coradel nods to Innish. "I think it's best to keep it close-to-home. Fun, not political."

She glaces up as Shalimar passes...and then spots August and waves him over with a bright smile.

Innish bows

"August! Come, what do you think the lovely job they've done with the banners?"

His eyes light, and he goes to her. "Lovely." He confirms... or, simply comments on her.

"Thank youuuuu, you look lovely too!" Vince yodels over at August as he waltzes past.

Her eyes light at the compliment, and then she laughs at Vince. Slipping her arm in August's, she asks, "Did you hear the story from Caspian? Of the parts you missed?"

"Ah, not yet. Caspian.... tends to embellish."

"Oh, yes, but he does it beautifully." Then she leans in to whisper in his ear.

August listens, smiles gently. "Good." he says to Coradel.

"I thought so," she agrees with a rather satisfied smile. Another look around at the decorations, then a blink. "Oh, where's Bachdion? Have you seen him today?"

"No, I haven't. Not.... our paths haven't crossed in some time, I'm afraid."

Indeed. Bachdion seems to have been missing for... mmm