#earthrunes

"Perhaps.. ah.. some visuals?"

"Oh. A doorknob, is, you see, like this metal piece. And you turn it..." He holds out a hand and cups the air, twisting his wrist to demonstrate.

"And a key is also metal, but I guess it could be made of other things? And it's a little tooth that opens locks."

Helpfully explaining.

"...aye..."

"But a key to what?"

"I don't think it matters. It's the thought that counts. Right? That's what they say about presents. And I DID think of it."

"The thought matters greatly, but with more specifics I could, perhaps, lend more precise aid?"

"I think just a doorknob, or key, one that no one needs. I tried to take the one off my door but then Miss Kerri asked me why I needed a screw driver and we got into a filly-sophical discussion, only it didn't have any horses in it, so I am not quite sure. But she said not to take any off from the lodge." A sigh.

"Well, doorknobs... I am uncertain of those, but I do have several mysterious old keys."

"OooOooooOo." He breathes. "OLD and MYSTERY are good words for magic, right, Gerd?"

He tugs her sleeve excitedly.

Gerd blinks "Magic? Connor, is this about the ... about a gift for Dagmar to replace.. that other thing?"

Zara rises and goes to her desk - it is an elaborate victorian model, full of tiny drawers.

He pouts a little. "Who told you? But not the same thing. That was cool but it made a mess. But I need a NEW thing."

Zara returns, holding an old-fashioned skeleton key. "Something like this?"

"And the thing is going to have to be magic? You know people will be happy with anything you give because they love you, right? it doesn't have to be supermagical"

A thoughtful look at Gerd, as he ponders this. "It's... not have to? But it will, if it works, because I want it to do... a thing... that might be a good thing if needful? But I don't want to say. It's like a birthday candle."

"Oh, oh! A key!" His tail wags excitedly, threatening to whisk off dust from a nearby shelf!

A dust bunny meeps with indignation before hopping to safety.

"I'm not sure it is.. but.." She smiles at the key "Oh. Well, now that is old school cool"

"Well, I am certain it cannot hurt to make an attempt at a grand gift."

"I fear I am terribly predictable, I only ever give two things..."

"Terrible, terrible things." He says solemnly.

"Which - oh! Would you mind your Yule gifts early?"

"Since you are both here..."

Connor suddenly looks stricken, and whispers to Gerd.

Gerd smiles, "Well, the squire is not one to make things inconvienent for others by postponing gifts"

Or.. not? She listens

Then she whispers back "It's okay. She understands"

He relaxes a little, nodding to Gerd.

"I mind, but to be polite, I will say I do not?"

And then realizes, he did NOT come empty handed. By chance or da'an. He brings out a plastic baggie with some cookies in it, with a grin.

"These were made by Knight so they are good for a spooky witch. But it's not Yule yet, so you have to leave them out until then. And hope that they don't get too oogy by then."

"Oh, how wonderful! Pumpkins are very Halloweeny, and that is my favorite holiday. Thank you, Connor!"

Gerd puffs up with quiet troll pride at her brother

Zara floats off to retrieve gifts - two small, firm, rectangular things. That paper might look familiar...

He beams at Gerd - she was smart to suggest snacks, and not just because he gets nibblish along the way.

Trying not to bounce out of his chair!

Zara gives asilver-wrapped package to each of them!

"This is very kind, Zara. I don't have yours with me. I'm sorry" Gerd says

He is WRIGGLY with excitement.

"I bet it's a BONE!"

"Oh, no worries! I am just happy to have the chance to give them."

"With your permision, I'll open this now" Gerd says "or I can wait till Yule with it at the ldoge"

"I am terrible - I hate waiting."

Gerd chuckles "I quite understand." And she unwinds the paper

It is a collection of three slender novels - "The Secret Circle" - a trilogy, YA, concerning witches!

"Oh I haven't read these" Interest immediate "Thank, Miss Zara. "A chuckle "My poor boyfriend. He's going to lose me for a weekend"