#earthrunes

For August, things have been a blur. The Hurricane he married and loves is clearly testy about Hume, but it's also obvious Vince kept Hume together in their absence! There is, of course, someone he wants to check on now that signs indicate she's home. His oldest friend, Zara!

He raps softly at the library door as he enters.

Velvet has already put away the grand books paid in ransom

And some are in spots that beckon to those who look for new arrivals.

August enters and does look the new arrivals over, but with a troubled expression. He doesn't touch.

All custom made hardbacks, new or old they each must be worth a great deal, by book standards.

"Hello, August." Zara certainly looks better - the regular level of pale.

"Hello, Zara." He approaches. "How are you feeling?"

"I am well, thank you. And yourself?"

"Relieved that you are well." he confesses.

Bronte has one of the new books and the rest of the world might as well not be.

"I... well, while not fond of being captured... I am grateful to my rescuers."

"I was.... very worried. Distraught."

Some of the sisters move along, attaching new weblines, catching what little light comes in in their gleam. It appears to be a sign of something

The glint catches his eye, and August looks.

And that's when the hold seems to take a breath.

Sluagh may feel the urge to hide! Nockers grab their tools and take them to safety! Satyrs escape into the outside world! Even sidhe may feel the need to brace! Trolls hold perfectly still lest they be used as best of burden!

In the halls sounds of boggans on the war path erupt! Vaccuums scare cats and dogs! Brooms begin to whisk! It's.. Spring Cleaning!

"Oh... oh no, not in here!"

And they hear someone saying the same "NO.. not the library" a voice that feels more comfortable soft has been raised . Ivanka the maid stands guard before the door

August stands and goes to the door..... the voice on the other side reassures him, though.

Poor Ivanka.. this is her life now, telling boggan after boggan NOT the library!

Zara cracks the door open to check on their defender.

In case anyone doubt her sacrifice, the boggan swarm isn't just cleaning places, it's straightening up people. Lint removed from clothes.. hell, you turn your back your HEMS might get corrected. Poor Ivanka has been cleaned and sparkled by the passing horde

"Miss, would you like to come inside? I will take the post." August offers.

"You are a kind lord but.. " Poor Ivanka touches her now glammed hair "You are a baron. And I am Miss Zara and the other Sluagh's maid. I shall no balk in mine duty"

A gentle smile. "They won't take liberties with me, and I don't mind their efforts."

"We should fetch Miss Velvet..."

Indeed.. Velvet it out there, somewhere. Did she get clear in time?

"May I?" he asks politely to step outside.

"Quatre - please look for Miss Velvet?" 4 has a fondness for the younger sluagh.

Of course, Ivanka wonn't BLOCK August

And Quatre moves with him

Quatre can have a lift if she wants. August steps outside the library and looks for Velvet as well, although he stays close.

His search for his squire works well, Quatre helping along

And they finnd her.. shaken, trembling, and trying to hide against a now CLEAN shiny wall

"Velvet, are you well?" August goes protectively to her.

"it was supposed to be faded ,wilted rose.. faded"

Velvet turns "Don't look at me, Liege. my voile.. they cleaned and brightened everything"

August turns his head but extends a hand. "Will you come with me? The library was spared."

"Yes, please, " She takes his hand "The .. the other parts of the hold.. not safe"

He considerately leads her into the library, and shuts the door behind them.

((Assuming the other ladies are within as well.))

They are. Ivanka sees Velvet "oh squire. I am so sorry"

A soft tsk, and Zara finds a soft grey shawl so that velvet may cover her pink shame.

"I know I know.. it's supposed to be wilted rose" Then a look of relief as Velvet takes the shawl "Many blessings , Miss Zara"

"Your dark beauty cannot be spoiled, even by this outfit." August assures her with quiet gallentry.

"Thank you, Baron." Then to Zara, "I could not get to your room in time to make sure it was secure."

Ivanka fusses "they best not. I am Miss Zara's personal maid"

In the halls, the sounds of cleaning can still be heard, all will be sparkling, bright, and clean