#earthrunes

And a voice says "this way this way to the buried treasure , Sir knight" And Enri ducks in, then he sees the old woman and goes "oh.."

"Oui, Enri?"

"I brought a miracle? you want?" Enri says "he's a Beauty Man, and he's looking for a willowy wilt... and he's got this glamour on him that smells like Shailamr strong but tastes of new grass." A pause "I thought poppi might want to roll in it?"

"Que?" Emma pokes her head out from the hut.

And sees another TROLL. This one wearing armor of a kngihtly sort, and having a Purple and black sash "Hi. I'm Sir Vali. I know this sounds crazy, but I think I had a vision to come here? "

"Que?"

The possum looks wilted, tattered ears and whiskers sagging.

"Pardonnez-moi, mais j'ai un cadeau, un puissant. Je pense que cela peut aider une personne capturée à l'automne à retrouver son printemps. Puis-je montrer à votre ami? He says gently

(Or a translation- "Pardon me, but I have a gift, a powerful one. I think it can help one caught in Autumn find their spring again. May I show your friend?")

A hiccup. "Les fleurs se fanent et je ne sais pas quoi faire!"

Oswald movees protectively and says "Look, if you can help Poppi... do it, please, Sir Knight"

Vali nods, and moves to the older woman, and begins to whisper in her ear

"Les coquelicots sont très délicats." Oh, she's gone full french.

Poppi can be heard saying ""Impossible. Chats et chiens? Vivre ensemble? Hystérie de masse"

"Oui" He nods "I can help her stay alive long enough. Will you trust her in my care?" He looks at Emma

"You are going to help her? I can't help her." That bald truth stings, an affront to tails and whiskers.

"You've kept her alive all this time" Oswald says "She is still with us BECAUSE of you, Emma"

"Vous gardez mes batteries au frais, mon cher" Poppi assures

Vali answers "I'm going to help her. Here." he looks and finding clean needle, takes a bit of his own blood, and puts it on a cloth for her "This is yours in trust. You will have power over me or someone you give this two will. Should I betray you , use it as you like. If she returns to you .. you give this back. Fair?"

"...oui..." Uncertain, but taking the cloth.

And Vali nods "thank you" Then he turns to Poppi

He holds out a hand and says "L'hiver qui vient pour vous, sera refusé. Un miracle du printemps arrive tôt et encore. Vous resterez avec vos proches, si c'est votre souhait. Je le promets. Mais reposez-vous."

Poppi stops breathing, as she freezes in place, but her mein does not flee, weak though it is

Whiskers-aquiver.

Oswald squeezes her hand.

Vali pulls out a map, and opening it, touches it to the woman in status.

and both he and she vanish!

Enri blinks "Dog Gone"

The little boys eyes are wet. he too is worried

When they go, Emma hides her face against Oswald... unable to stop the tears this time.

Oswald holds her "It'll be okay. She will be fine. You kept her strong. "

And he'll hold her for as long as it takes

an hour passes... and there's a sound 'you again?" Rollo asks

"Yup. It's me again" Vali's voice says

"Who's the kid?" Rollo says

A chipper young voice says "I'm just here for the Fais do-do!"

Emma emerges, ears still flat.

And suddenly the possume gets hugged across the knees by a childling who looks spooky familar "Mon cher! You got so tall!"

...blink!

Vali wipes at his eyes.. they're a bit red

"Aunty Poppy?"

"Aunt Puppy" She grins but nods

Vali says "It's her... don't ask too much, but she's a childling again. I can't..well, it was a once in my life time thing. "

"I don't see that!" She touches Poppy's cheek.

Poppy's tail wags! "You stuck with me now... could have got off scot free with your beau, got me reborn as a yankee out of the way, but nah, now you got me making llife ruff!"

Emma laughs, and squeezes Poppy in a big hug.

Oswald gapes "That's not possible."

"Only a sith deals in absoultes" Vali says

"Oh. of course you're right" Oswald recovers "I also would have gone with 'that is why you fail'"

Vali shrugs "Emma, could I have my blood back when you're done squeezing the sutffing out of that cajun muffin?"