#earthrunes

"Ah... ah, well, that one is new..."

"Any good?" Leonora asks Zara

Bronte looks down and bobs her head in an almost violent burst of nodding

"Mass-market romance. So, well, you know what to expect. Contrived plot and heaving bosoms and love triangles..."

And Zara gets thwapped in the shoulder by a bookwyrm tail at the words 'contrived plot'

Leonora doesn't notice this, instead saying "I'm all for anything that gets a bosom heaving, and I like the art on cover." A pause "I know, you're not supposed to judge a book that way, but.. mmm" She reads "Never heard of this author before"

"Ah.. ah, n-no, unlikely. I believe this is her first."

"Ha! Well then I'm definitely taking it. Whenever I read a writer's first book I like to think I'm taking her or her virginity. Let's pop this cherry shall we?" She picks the book up, and walks to the sign out sheet

Zara manages to nod. "Ah.. yes.. it.. indeed." Blink.

Earls eyes are huge as saucers

And 1122? That MIGHT be what it looks like when an arachnid laughs or is fighting laughter

And Leonora signs her name and the name of the book, "Thanks. This will really help pass the time"

"I... yes..." Zara seems a bit nonplussed.

And there goes her book! her only copy (As far as she knows) of HER book...

Earl waits a beat "That" As if answering a question

"Well, tis just a book. Shan't make a big fuss."

"Probably not..." Earl says "But it will appeal more than you thought I think. This is a Fiona hold, and some Fiona love romance novels of all sorts"

"....aye.. and, well, they wouldn't realize, no."

"No.." A pause "I confess, Leonora's directness is..ah, ccaught me off guard, but I guess that's one way to look at a new writer"

"Leonora enjoys being audacious."

Earl takes Zara's hand "You're taking this little bombshell well."

"I am trying to."

"Well.... I wonder if August will like his copy" a pause "I mean, I'm sure he will like it"

She bops him, gently. "Earl, that is not funny."

a smile "Beg to differ," But he rubs at the bop spot to show his respect and that he knows he deserved it "But Zara, eventually, he may look at it. And Coradel very certainly will"

"Oh, he shan't. It wouldn't interest him. And when Leonora returns it, I shall place it on an obscure shelf."

"Feh!" Bronte declares at that notion.

"Yes, it would be amusing to have others read it and not know the truth of Miss Amur..."

"I don't know how long the secret will last" Earl says "But in the short term? Yes."

"Well, you wouldn't betray me."

"Betray?" He raises a brow "Strong word. "

"Aye. You have my secret."

He bends down , cupping her chin, and kisses her lightly on the lips

"Now, it seems, thou knowest two of my secret names."

"And so.." he whispers eyes sparking with autumn mischief "My harem grows"

Another bip on his arm. "Scoundrel."

"It's a good thing I'm pretty" He chuckles and kisses her again

A little rattle of almost-laughter and she returns the kiss.

Around them, the spiders dangle from their strings above to form a little heart about them.

Earl looks up "Ladies...cut that out."

Octa protests that not ALL the arachnids joined in that thank you.

"I think it's sweet."

"Well, it is" Earl says "But if someone walks in we'll hear no end of it"

"Nah, tis quite sweet" Velvet assures from a corner

Eyebrow.

"Ah, beg pardon. .I just came in, Miss Zara."

"Aye, squire."

"Were there tasks at the library you wanted me to see too first?" The squire says

"Or.. perhaps I should ah, leave you two alone" A blush

"Oh, we have shelving to do, aye..."