#earthrunes

Zara is not completely SURE about giving up her old room.

This has not stopped her from starting alterations to the crooked room!

And to their credit, the boggans have made amends by following her requests to the letter at making little touches, and some local nockers are happy to assist. Does she want that tiny crack that Earl doesn't know about to have a tasteful door no bigger than a soccer ball? They can do that

Zara is flattered and grateful - which tends to make her extra shy. She does not wish to be too demanding, or "a fuss."

It is ironic then, that Ivanka actually becomes a bit MORE forceful, not against Zara, no, but with her new authority she tries to see that Miss Zara's wishes are not inadvertantly walked over "no, no, don't replace the window with anything clearer, I suspect .." look to Zara to see if she agrees "it would let the sun come in too strong?"

"Nay, tis perfect as it is..."

"I just... it... would Velvet, perhaps, get mine old room?"

Ivanka says softly "That's up to you. Frankly I just thought you might want to keep the craftspeople busy so they'd not ask you IF you were taking this room. Buying you time to decide" A blush "Begging your pardon, I've never had power before, and I find I am enjoying bossing them around"

"Well, I am still deciding.. but..."

"But if I were, aye?"

"if you were, if you are asking my opinion, Miss Velvet is no longer a childling and would no doubt love the room compared to the suite she shares with other girls. She would be a good choice for aiding the library so that proxmity works. However, there maybe other uses or other people that might in thy light suit better. Alas, one can't simply expand the library as it is across a hallway"

"Mmm. Who might suit it better - or, more relevant - where would Velvet better suit?"

"I am not sure" she ponders "Young unsained MInerva might take the room though she seems to like her current one. And the Seer himself has an office so is hardly in his room at all"

"And surely, a wilder squire should have her own room before a fledge."

"That would leave Veronika out, charming as young Veronika can be." a nod

"Also a fledge."

"I like Veronika, surely, but..."

"And Velvet has a gentleman."

"Tis true" A nod

The construction continues and Ivanka whispers "Do you wish any of the plaster replaced?"

"Oh, heaven's no..."

She nods and looks at the nocker "Mister Sputzsmear, please leave that alone."

"But I can spackle..."

"We know, Mister Sputzmear, but Miss Zara has a 'vision'"

The nocker grouses but leaves it be

"Miss Zara?" a tap on her shoulder

"Aye?"

"you seemed to be adrift for a moment, miss. Is it the consumption, perhaps the vapors?" Like all gothic maids , Ivanka has always dreamed of serving a lady whose health was on the wane

"Alas, not consumption."

"Ah" she tries to hide her disappointment though she is sure Zara would understand.

"Perhaps melancholy?"

"Ah" A nod "the change makes you sorrowful?"

"It does. I like my room..."

Ivanka considers "Then, lady, it seems to me you have some choices. Stay there, leave this be. In time you could perhaps have whatever is stored here repurposed. Or...find some other project you have dreamed of, something that you would want to use one of the rooms for besides a library since you have that already, and explain to the Baroness how it would augment the hold. or... have your old slash current room ..have a painting made of it. So... you can put it up on that wall in here, and look at it under the thin stream of moonlight and sigh softly to what you have lost.. I am not a true sluagh so I do not know if I mistep, but it seems to me one of these options might appeal?"

"Oh, I fear love has made me wear my summer clothes too early."

"I would not presume to know your unseelie heart... though unseelie hearts too can love and relish the Oath. WOuld not change being good motivate transition? Or perhaps there is something in thy nature there that would complicate further?"

"I do not like giving things up."

Ivanka taps her fingers.

"Then.. we leave this room to become storage and you go back to your own room, no shame there .or does that too vex thee?" She suspect it does and hopes she's not presuming

"It... it is a delightful room. And close to Earl's, but still mine own..."

"I think, Sir Earl will understand and support whatever choice you make. And, if I maybe so bold, he would not want you distressed. Tell him what you would have, and I know he will support it. Mayhaps he even has an idea or two I and you had not thought of?"

Huff.

She lowers her eyes to her feet. She has overstepped it seemsm

"I believe this is the better room for me."

"then, we must conspire, lady, some way for you to have both rooms."

"Aye, indeed..."

"How art thou a disguises?"

Zara shakes her head.

"I think, if my old room were to go to Velvet..."

"yes?"