#earthrunes

"But the Great Prince of Varich pressed, and burned with ire, and would not accept failure."

"His wrath would be great, and thus, a solution had to be found. And so... desperate, the sluagh crafted a Snow Maiden. Her skin was as fair as the first winter's fall on the mountain. Her lips tinted with out own blood split. Her hair spun on the finest spindles. With magic, we could even give her the seeming of life."

"And so, the Great Prince came to the Snow Maiden. He burned with lust, and could not contain his ardor. Though our craft was skillful, the heat of his passion melted the Maid."

"And so... the Great Prince declared vengeance upon each and every Sluagh, claiming that we tricked him out of spite."

"They have besmirched us as traitors and vermin, have harried and imprisoned and slain us. We find no rest in their lands, only persecution."

Velvet whispers "They can no more forgive than they can love. "

She nods. "In their wrath, the Great Prince declared he would Never Love Again. His hubris cost him that. But it was his doing. We did not curse him thus."

"the Golden suns burn cold yet burn they do." A sigh from Veronica as if she knows

"They do. But... be cautious, aye?"

"They have a particular hatred for my kith, I know not how they will take yours."

"They will remember us, for good or ill.. I am not sure. I think they will not hate us so much though"

"That's fortunate" Velvet says "And I suppose we must learn in time"

"I do not begrudge others who deal with Varich. But pray, be mindful."

"I shall...." A look a the waters "Pray forgive, may I swim for a time?" The Rusalka asks

"Of course. I think it is too cold for me, still. I do envy you that!"

"I will not be long" And she rises "Pardon," Moving to the side she begins to disrobe

Velvet politely sips her tea and says "Miss Zara, I think I will pass on my compliments to the chefs. How was your Pastrami?"

"Wonderfully tart. Delores is a master."

"I shall pass it on" She rises pleased "You should try some of the treats Tylar has worked on for me. He's not normally a cooking kind of boggan, but for me, he..well, he learned a bit and then how to let it age." A dimple

"Oh, no - those should be special, for you. I shall simply be terribly jealous!"

"Oh you are too kind" Pleased gush "then again, Tylar will never paint me as a living part of a river ready to terrorize the declasse. "

Pink!

And squire velvet slips away, Zara enjoys watching her river, and the Rusalka shifts from half revealed nymph to a river wraith and back again. Fascinating.

Oh yes, much to be learned in the waters

(End scene)