#earthrunes

"Mm. Harlequin fluff, nu? A touch overwrought." Delicate fingers do a nervous little dance against the china cup. "Ah. Did you enjoy it? There is, I would think, a place for fluff..."

"Hm." She considers Zara's pronouncement over another sip. "I've read fluff. This...well, I can see where 'fluff' might apply, yes, but I think the author has also managed to capture some moments in the narrative that truly resonate, you know? That seem very...apt. Almost as if one might expect to be able to... to share the experience with the characters, if one could only have the chance. That...is far better than mere 'fluff.'" Another sip. "Far more absorbing."

"I am glad to hear you enjoyed it, then. It sounds as if it will be a good addition to the stacks..." Feathery.

"Well, I expect you would be the judge of that, librarian. Tell me..." Coradel leans forward a bit. "Didn't you find the Vicar to be intriguing? The drive, the dedication...and the deep passions, so carefully harnessed and only just under control."

Zara flushes pink. "Ah, truth be told... I.. well, I have not read the book..."

"Oh! Really? I find that...well, a bit shocking. I thought you would have made it your business to do so."

"Well.. it.. I... I shall do so soon enough. Bronte has read it, mind. She was the first."

"I shan't spoil it for you, then. But really, you're in for a treat." She leans back a bit in her chair and gazes at some spot overhead as her fingers toy with the delicate lines of the teacup. "The Vicar...and the other love interest. Mmmm...so bold. Aggressive, almost, but also such...." She trails off, then glances back at Zara. "But I should let you read it." A sip.

"Lucky Bronte, to claim that prize." Coradel gives the bookwyrm an almost envious glance.

"From what I understand, aye.. aye... the Vicar would appeal." Fidget.

"We really should discuss it when you are done. Oh, but you're far more likely to discuss it with August first, I imagine. He's reading it now, you see."

"Right this moment, I imagine."

She tenses, cup and saucer making a CLINK. "...ah..."

"Yes...." She finishes her tea. "I know he started the day after I finished. And then...the oddest thing...the book was set aside with a bookmark for a bit, as if he'd given up on it, or been distracted. And now both book and bookmark have vanished from his bedside table." A smile. "Well...perhaps he's taken it somewhere where he could read in greater privacy."

"Some books require privacy to truly appreciate."

"I'm sure you understand." That smile again.

"..ah.."

"Aye. Of course. I would... I would not think it something to his taste..."

"M-My understanding was that it was not.. explicit. Nothing indecorous..."

"Oh, nothing blatant, no. It's not porn. But...it is evocative. Very."

"And August has quite unexpected tastes, sometimes."

"I would not have... I... not in my library!"

Bronte chirps, perhaps quoting that very book "She felt the press of his form against hers and she understood for one brief shining moment, why a river might allow itself to be parted, turning a lazy flow into a triumphant rush "

A blink. "Truly?"

Then she listens to Bronte, and sighs. "Yes....oh, yes, exactly." A salute with the teacup.

Pink.

"Mmmmm....now I feel I wish to read it completely again. I must obtain my own copy. The Seer has been very patient."

"I... in a Fiona hold, of course. It.. literary merit... if there's merit..."

A slightly insulted look. "I can't possibly recognize literary merit?"

Bronte flies down and lands delicately near Zara.

And the Baroness may realize that the Bookwyrm is a wee bit bigger than she last saw

"Of course you can. I am.. I'm agreeing? That.. that no... nothing that is pure smut would be here... but.. but there is a fine literary tradition which suggests..."

"Have I not found novels which please you? There was the Rubaiyat, and Lady Chatterly..."

"Of course, yes, and others as well. Well...I leave it to you to make your own determination about the work of Talia Amur. I can say I hope to see more from her." She rises. "Do let me know when you've read it. I'm curious what you'll think of the heroine and her predicament.... My goodness, Bronte, you've grown! Lovely!"

"Miss April's turn offs are Cargo shorts, socks and sandals, and men who smoke" Bronte adds

Then Bronte fluffs at the praise

A startled blink. She turns to Zara. "I'm not familiar with...whatever she's quoting."

"She is.. she is a young author, this is her first published work..."

"That... I know not..."

"Well, the good part about young authors is that they're very likely to write more. Please make a point of obtaining her next one as soon as possible. I'd like a copy I don't have chase down."

Bronte looks surprised "A box without hinges, key or lid,
Yet golden treasure inside is hid." And she flies to one of the less used book areas

Flustered. "It's not ready yet!"

"An... it... Bronte?"

"An egg? Bronte?" MORE flustered.

While Zara flusters, Bronte delicately removes some books, with love, to make room and remove a wood covered sheet of paper..a nd slides out.. a magazine

"An egg? She....?"

Coradel watches the procedure and smiles. "Your girl seems to have a secret stash, Miss Zara."

"I don't... I am uncertain what..."

it was clearly hidden here by someone. The cover is a nearly nude satyress with the title 'Fae!landerer Magazine'

Zara looks mortified.