#earthrunes

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Adam pushes the door to his room open, shuffles in, and drops his backpack. He collapses on the bed with a groaning grunt. "UGH."

He blows air out, and covers his face with his hands.

Slowly, he relaxes a little.His hands fall to the pillow beside his head, and he takes a deep breath.

And another.

and falls asleep with dreams of..

how good he made his mother and dad feel joining in with the family

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In the library, a squire sorts through books, but more to distract herself than anything

Tria is fond of Velvet, and drops down to land on the girl's shoulder.

She touches the spider but gently "mind me not, tria. I am merely ..frustrated. I had been warned, had i not? that to swear featly might close as many doors as it opens?"

"I do not regret, but i admit, it is a shock to have it come return to me so soon. the price"

A reassuring tippity tap.

She listens then smiles

"Yes, well, I suppose I do have people to talk to. Most unseemly to be a chatterbox, but," A whisper "Forgive. I am actually grateful Miss Zara suffers that affliction. As long as i'm juuust a little less social than she, no one really notices it."

Tria won't betray Velvet's secret.

"Thank you, Tria." A nod "Twas she who warned me. So I should be grateful for her verbal generosity" Another stroke "Would you like a drop of my blood? I trust you not to hand out excess to the unworthy. "

Tria takes a lank strand of hair in her pedipalps and grooms it. There there.

"Oh how skilled you are, Tria." Admiring then she confesses "I cannot seem to keep a widow's peak out of my hair for long myself. I rather enjoy it over all but it can be frustrating when I wish variety"

Widow's peaks are good luck, Tria assures!

"i will not lie, I do get vain about it at times...but other days.. mm good luck you say? Yes. I suppose in away. And in some cultures it would have me suspected of being a witch. How wonderful that?"

Tria thinks that is most wonderful.

"And you, Tria. HOw lucky to be a 3? Magic has a rule of 3 in may cultures. The triangle is a symbol of power and has three points. And, of course, maiden mother and crone or the three fates."

Tria preens at the praise. Velvet is a most clever young witch!

"Oh we shall flatter each other silly at this rate, but I thank you. You have cheered me greatly"

Have faith, young Velvet!

FInding one book she likes she says "Shall we read together?"

THAT would be most acceptable.

And they do. A cup of tea for Velvet, and a bit of popcorn just for Tria