#earthrunes

"Love" He loves saying that more thann ever "Ah , I know you're busy tending to the library but did you want dinner at CC's tonight?"

Earl adds "I seem to have been pulled into judging a contest"

"Oh? I do enjoy their company, dinner could be nice."

"What kind of contest?"

"Apparently a cooking contest. I have no idea how it came about. I'm to try two dishes and see which I like best. Don't worry, they tell me they have some food for you that is properly conditioned, just not up for judging. CC says she's very sorry the attention might be on me"

"Ah, well.. so it goes."

"But she'd love to catch up with us both .So.. I'll tell them we'll be arriving. Is 7:30 good?"

"That works!"

"It does" he kisses her hand "Huh. Wow. We Oath and already other couples are calling us over"

A soft chuff.

The flowers seem to be clearing up some, the holiday haven't had it's major moment, and yet Earl still seems to float WITHOUT use of Cantrip. Poor Zara faces a different challenge. Surprising everyone with news of an Oath like that means that only NOW is everyone coming in with gifts, and what gifts do you get a librarian? BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY

which is wonderful, but Bronte has passed out on a pile...

and Zara has to make space for THREE Dozen books.

Most modern novels, hardly collectables, but a few gems that are aged to sluagh prefs amid the modern stuff, and the modern stuff ain't bad.

This is a problem Zara likes!

"Oh, aye, tis lovely... aye, thank you for the kind thoughts..."

"I hope you don't mind LitRPG" One says.

"It sounds intriguing!"

And in and out it goes

Earl however is worried "is it possible for a bookwyrm to get overfed?"

The litle thing DID read a lot of books as fast as she could.

"Well, I think she'll recover."

"Sweet enough, the book she promised to let you read first she hasn't touched" Earl notices

"Oh, she hasn't!" Touched.

"Well then, I shall read it soon. Next."

"Yes. Only fair. She's like you.. she can be patient, but prefers to be patient on her terms" a hand around her waist

"Hey now." A smile.

"What am i wrong?" A smile back "Or do I need to learn patience myself and leave you be to put your books up?"

"Ooo, recipes!" She shows him - '50 Down-Home Farm Favorites!"

"Mayhaps a hint?"

He smiles, and helps her put books away . Is that what she meant, or is he just being a helpful sort?

"Oh, thank you!" Pleased and surprised - it isn't what she meant, but she doesn't mind.

"You are still responsible for your own bacon. But I could try my hand at corn fritters."

"AH, yes, differennt skillets" he says "And I've cut down on bacon. Just seems .. I donn't know, fair. I mean, I lose bacon, but, on the plus side, I get more holidays . I call it a win"

A laugh.

"Also socks. "

"You know you needn't follow all my rules.... and aye, the best socks."

"it's..." He ponders "Not like I see them as rules... not for me. I see it as something that lets me get to know you. your faith, these ways are important to you. By learning them, by trying them, I feel.. closer to you. It's like you're showing me things I never saw or took for granted"

Zara smiles at that. "Aye? How is it that you may still surprise me, after years?"

"Surprise?" He seems surprised she's surprised then sheepish "I've always wanted to know you"

"I know.. but.." An expressive shrug.

A smile back, and he says "So... LitRP books seem fantasy mostly..."

"AND Jane Austen!" She holds up one, looking giddy.

"Jane Austen is fanntasy? IS she wizard or rogue?"

Oh he's gotten cheeky

She sticks her tongue out at him.

A delighted laugh and he gets back to work.

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