#earthrunes

"You

have had Mama's cooking, nu?"

"Ah, also for me" She makes a mental note "Fat moths tempt spiders" A look about the webs in the library

The sisters are in various places. 12 is inspect Vashti's lace trimmed hem.

"oh, you like it?" She says to twelve "I confess, some of my greatest inspirations have been from appropriating your culture. In my defense, I feel if I was ever nearly trapped in it, I get to recreate it"

"Twelve is rather artistic."

"Twelve is welcome to my salon anytime unless I'm making a secret trap for you, of course, my sister." A glance at 12 "Is your web the one with the spiral touch?"

12 preens! Vashti noticed!

Indeed, one of the other sisters, who thinks a web is a web is a web, as long as it catches bugs rolls atl east 4 of her eyes

Vashti did notice "It's lovely, delicate yet strong, and it catches the light perfectly"

"Ah, flattery will get thee far."

"Oh sister, tis flattery, but hardly base, and there in lays all the difference in the world."

Tea is served and Vashti says "You are aware, of course, I am utterly uninterested in where you went with thy Hunter and what you experienced?"

"Oh! Nepal!"

"It was most romantic..."

"Nepal? Oh, the marshes, the great plains... tell me"

And so Zara does - there's some editing, the full nature of the trio, the exact details of the yeti... it was a week of delights, of rare books, of painting, of intimate company under Himalayan stars...

And JEFF, does she mention JEFF? huh ?

She sighs happily at the talk of the snow caped mountains and the moon sshining over "OH I would not last long"

And Jeff. Sigh.

The mention of Jeff she wrinkles her nose "He sounds like one of those kind of people... the toilet paper that gets stuck to your shoe kind of person? He serves a purpose just.. not there, not anymore"

"I am glad he made it home."

"...and away from me."

"And now he shall haunt the Wasps of Scarsdale" Amused at something "Good . Leave the spiders alone"

"Aye."

"I do ssometimes envy thy gift to have tea with the undead. But don't the cold spots endanger the drink?"

"A risk worth taking, most times."

"Twas one time I met a were moth, but they were so dedicated to secrecy they insisted they were hang gliding enthusiasts" A scoff "As if I could not be trusted"

"Oh, the vandals!"

"They kept up their lies religiously" She laments. "Even the bastet and I agreed they were going overboard"

A soft chuff.

"Have we books on prodigals?" Curious