#earthrunes

"Crooked?" at that, she smiles. "oh Zara, that sounds perfect for you. You've never conformed to expected shapes"

"It is delightful, yes. Quieter than my old room, more isolated..."

"And harder for others to get into I bet" She says with a chuckle.

"A bit." She smiles.

"I suppose you'd be all sorts of cranky if I turned into a spider and looked around"

"Yes."

"That is my domain, nu?"

"Just as well.. last thing I need is to risk falling to 1122's wiles" she tries to time it for Zara to be taking a sip of her tea if she's having some

She quirks a brow. "He is a charmer."

"I shouldn't have even tried the joke" She says "Well, I am glad you like your new room I feel like I should have brought some stale bread , soured wine, and salt as a gift to bless it" More serious there

She smiles. "Oh, that is most kind."

"I'll bring it. Better late than never" She says "Zara, I kind of miss you sometimes. I don't want my duties as Chief to make me a stranger to my friends. "

"I do visit, and you can visit... okay, I may have been avoiding the big shindig..."

"I ggguess I cann't blame you, but family is family"

"It is. And I love them, despite how loud they may be."

"I mean, we're family now. You and Earl Oathed. Like it or not, you got some DeBuke baggage there"

"I am keeping my name."

"Of course you are" she says "Zara, we're a clan not a cult"

"Aye."

"But you are considered family now" She says "Would you like to hear the perks?"

A soft chuff. "Aye?"

"Well, for one thing, you have a right to petition for mentors.. I know you already got the best of the lot, but you'd be surprised what Agnes and Murray know."

"You also have the right to demand to speak with me over matters of important to the DeBukes. You may atennd DeBuke only meetings.."

That eyebrow hovers.

"You may even request time to speak to all at those meetings" She's not done it seems "you have free use of of all but private cabins and bedrooms of others."

"I'm seeing the brow here.." She notes

"How often are there DeBuke meetings?"

"Usually once a month, you are not required to come but are welcome. Sometimes if things happen fast we call for them as needed. Because you live off the farm we understand you can't just haul whenver someone rings bell "

Zara nods.

"And you get to see the treasure chest"

"...pardon?"

"Yeah, here's where you are going to think I'm joking but I'm not." she sighs "Zara, we have an area you've never been to."

"...do tell."

"that's all I CAN tell.. here"

She does not seem to be leading her friend on

"Well. Next visit."

"Glad to know" She says with a nod

And the two talk about safer topics

(End Scene)