#earthrunes

“It was not the thorn bending to the honeysuckles, but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn.” The little dragon wings down.

"CHarming" He observes "I've not seen a bookwyrm in awhile." And if allowed, he scratches the scales just in the rightp lace

"Ah, hello Bronte."

Bronte shamelessly leans in to the scritching.

"However, Miss Zara," He does not stop the scritching "I do have far more idea where the bolt holes are already, and the contents. How can you refuse to relinquish anything when I am the one most likely to find them and bring more information to the table, if you pardon the continued hubris?"

"Would you trod upon all convention because a sidhe granted you leave?"

"I speak not for myself, for I am but one - but understand, I am not the only one, aye?"

"I do not intend to trod upon convention, Miss Zara, I assure you, but we are creatures of antique stores and libraries, of old houses that creek... we do not claim whole baronies"

"Nay. But nor do we gobble up all that is hidden, and abscond with it. A token, for the shelves here - for the sluagh, here."

He ponders this, a slight wind like along the moors, "miss zara, your point is not lost"

"I do not ask the balance, obviously. But for our aid an support - a... token, nu?"

"Of course, I would not be boorish" He agrees, "In truth I fear your point about EIluned is well made. Indeed, there are rumors other houses are investigating. One.. most unpleasant"

"If it is the Tower, they must be stymied at all costs."

"nay, the sun" a shudder

Hisssssssssss.

"Aye," A nod "You see my unseemly haste has its reasons"

"It does. You may have our aid, but, again - some things must stay here. There is a particular book I seek."

"Ahhh" Interest, "If I am not too forward, might I know the book in question?"

"A tome by a Dougal?"

"Interesting," he sips "If I find it, I shall let you know, but they have more than one book. Schemetics and so on"

"This one is the second volume. Bronte, please - fetch the first for our guest?"

Bronte flies with expertise and drops it gently

He takes it and looks it over, and he sorts , he knows to search for the most used parts of the book, clever...

Then his eyes lift "Sweet nector of absinthe"

"Understand, Mssr. St. Yves - I am Manynames. I have one in my possession, and I would destroy it and all its ilk."

"The Sun must not be allowed that book."

"Agreed, the denier 's sacrifice, your own obvious efforts... the chains must never fall into their hands again"

"Aye. It is for all of us, nu?"

"agred, the matter grows far beyond making up for sins of action and blood"

She nods. "I find the centaurs rather dull, in comparison to the rusalka... but much fuss has been made over the more flamboyant return."

"The ruslka are more prevelent than many know" He says "And I suspect our kith has been guiding if not hiding many of them"

Zara nods.

"We have a fledge here. Veronica. She is a delight."

"I would love to meet her"

She murmurs to a spider in her hair, and it scuttles off."

And off the spider goes

"They provide balance, I think. We nightmares must stick together."

"I confess, "A lower whispers still "While I understand they are ALSO nightmares, it's SO nice to have alternatives to the redcaps"

Zara returns the whisper with an understanding smile.

"They are most civilized savages, aye. I am yet to meet a male - I suspect they are as rare as Swanmays or River Hags, in that regard."

"Oh, there is one" He assures with a smile "I have met him"

"Indeed? Do tell - does his choice of prey differ from the female?"

"He seems preoccpied by justice regardless. A strapping man to be sure, at times he seems to go from nuibile youth to vengeful river spirit"

"See, perhaps that is why they appeal so - they understand justice, as we understand instruction."

"It does coincide"

"mmm " He sips "Miss Zara, you have my word. If I find THAT book, I will bring it to you. "

"Thank you, Mr. St. Yves."

"Indeed, such a find might redeem me" a thoughtful gaze

At this point, Coradel has gotten word that a sluagh awaits her in the library

And she infers that it is not one of the sluagh whom she already knows. She takes a moment to check her appearance to make sure she is appropriately dressed for the likelihood of tea.