#earthrunes

"Baby, you have to come out some time" Earl says to the cracks "Or.. well, okay, you don't, but you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

Hiss. Softly.

"Yes yes, hiss, I know" he nods "but folks will be coming into the library again eventually."

As if on cue, there's a tap-tap-tap at the library doorframe. "Hello, Sir Earl," Coradel says. "Please advise Miss Zara that we have somebody here who needs to speak with her." Zara may, in fact, have heard three sets of footsteps approach.

"I see, one moment Baroness" And he says to Zara "Zara, as you probably heard, there is someone who needs to speak with you."

Then he adds softly "Maybe it's regarding the source of your misery and will be used to fix this?"

"I do not wish to socialize at present."

He moves to the door "She doesn't wish to socialize at present"

"Understood. This isn't a matter of socializing. This is a matter of apology and contrition."

A little gir's voice speaks up "But if I can't fix it I'll be the bad guy forever and have to wear black and get...gasp! Please don't make me wear a mustache, Miss Zara!"

Earl nods "Sec" And moves back to Zara "An apology and contrition... and, it's a kid?"

A siiiiigh, and she slithers forth.

"Thank you, Miss Zara." Coradel bows her head solemnly. "The Jester and I have found the culprit and explained to her her misdoing. She would like to explain her reasons, and to make things right." And she gently but firmly moves the pooka forward with a hand on her back. "Isn't that right, Princess Isis." It isn't really a question.

Zara frowns. "Miss Isis?"

Isis says "So happy to be here" Then she looks up, tearful eyes "Cats don't make mistakes normally but when we do we're the best... and when Sir Fuzzyboots said you were getting books I thought I found these neat books in the back of the grown up tea... and that it should be in your library...only they were for a dolts, and I guess not books?" Isis lowers her eyes

"They... no, they are not quite books..."

"But comic books are made of paper and stuff and they're called comic.. BOOKS" She points out confused "You.. did I really make Bronco sick?" Worried she glances at the shelves "Did I give her the dolts?"

Shalimar says "As head of all pooka kind, I'd ask you to save the Cambodian water spider torture until her 18th birthday, as is the custom"

"Certainly gave her a new vocabulary branch..." Coradel murmurs.

Then more clearly, "Isis understands that she has wronged the owner by taking his belongings, and you by adding what was not welcome to your library. She's willing to make amends."

At this, one of the spiders hangs near Isis

Isis shrinks back "I'm not afraid of you... I just am allergic to terrifying things" She tells the spider

Earl gives Zara's hand a squeeze

"I... well. I accept your apology. But, in amends, you must help me find some proper books. Especially ones for childlings."

Coradel smiles softly. "That seems a most appropriate condition."

"oh!" Isis says "I know some of the best books.. I practially wrote them!" The little girl actually seems thrilled

Shalimar smiles "Good work musing that Dr. Seuss fellow"

"Isis, you must also make things right with Jack, remember? I think you will be busy for the near future."

Isis ponders then smiles "I shall Dell a gate! Poodle boy will be my stand out"

A dubious look. "Does he owe the debt, or do you?"

"He's got the toxic muttulinity?" Hopeful

"Actually, Enri seems to be a rather pure bred little poodle.. probably why he gets the vapors" Shallimar ponders

Coradel shakes her head at Isis. "Your error. Your effort to make it right."

"It's a hard knock life for me" The little pooka sighs but then nods, and says to Miss Zara "I'll find the best childling books ever for you and Bronto"

"And you will not take those books away from their owners unless those owners give permission," Coradel reminds.

She nods "Not even if they're boogerheads"

"Good." Coradel looks to Zara. "Thank you for speaking with us. I hope this resolves the matter?" The words may be formal, but she seems genuinely concerned for Zara's comfort in this.

The kitten girl does look contrite and searches about to make sure Bronte is okay

"It... sounds like a misunderstanding, aye."

Bronte... well, she's probably reading.

"Curiosity says you're left over cream and knuckles" Isis informs her

Eyebrow.

"the child speaks madness," Shalimar says "And has no gift with cats at all"

"Aye.. but.. knuckles?"

The little feline pooka angles her head and makes an odd expression as she mimes a cat's love bite

aka a nip

aka a 'what the hell, cat?'

"Ah."

"clearly she's discovered your mafia name" Shalimar nods sagely

"Knuckles Scwhartz?" Earl blinks