#earthrunes

"The sidhe have everything. Why did they need our haven, too?"

A perplexed look "We had a haven?" A consideration "You were among the first? And it was of your making?"

"Mine and others, not I alone."

She ponders "Sister, this is old news to me, but.. and you know how shy I am about my opinions, if thou feel childish, then perhaps one should flip the mirror. Could a sidhe be something OTHER than a conqueror? Mayhaps as crone of haven, you are hostess, or deed holder. She may rent, or lease, but never own- unnnless you let her?"

"I do not own it."

"That.. no, in my folly I thought I had a say, aye. But I do not. And it has been spoilt."

"Spoilt ere I could even have a single visit alone. There was no... no time, before it was given away."

"This is a place, not some lesser noun?" Curious

She nods, sulking.

"And a sidhe hovers there..." A smile breaks out "One you could..spy on?"

"Feh."

"She is an Ailil. She will strut and gloat and flare."

"And reveal more than she gains I think" A pause "mmm" She steeples fingers

"But she shalt be there."

"And after her, others."

"Until there shalt be no respite."

Curiousity grows "Are you sure? "

"I see now how it shall be. It was... not what I thought. Nay - what I assumed. My folly, to assume."

"But have you not desired aught, only to find it was a deception?"

"What would a former slave know of desire?" She shrugs elegantly

Zara drops her eyes. "Forgive."

"I am being a child. But I.... oh, Vashti, it was a wonderful place."

"My dream of it was wonderful, at least."

"Ward it"

"I cannot."

"Though the sidhe might, with their sovereign."

"What's in a name?" She asks

"It... it can bar magics, aye. Bar spells. But it cannot banish feet."

"Annd if the whole isle bannned Soveriegn? "

She rubs her face with her hands. "I don't think I have that power, Sister."

"I make a show, but I am not..." She frowns.

"Not alone..." She points out "But you have contacts"

She rubs her temples and shakes her head.

"Emmit, perhaps. But he... it is not for him."

"Ah!" Relaization

"Tis a havenn for sisters"

"Aye."

"Who helped you build this place? Gather they. Establish rules.... I think you'll find power waits in that"

"My joy in it is sullied."

"I know not if it may be restored."

Sigh. "You think less of me, sister. I should not have spake so."

A huff "Oh yes, I myself NEVER have my moments others might find a bit petty or selfish, I am SO Superior as it never irks me when something I wanted is clearly not on the path I plannned for it. Sister, we all know that if I tell thee to 'get over it' you will magically be inspired to do so, if I tell thee to 'walk it off' all will be well after the first lap. Rather, I shall do the unheard of thing. I will sympathize. Pain is payne. Whoever the infliction strikes from, north south east or west"

"I am a sluagh. Regret is... to be valued, nu? Tragedy is needful alongside triumph."

"But oh, it had felt a triumph."

A realization and her eyes widen

And the pooka looks afraid to speak less she muff it, then instead taps a book "WOuld your haven fit in one of these?"

"I wish I could cast it from my mind completely. Longing is better suited on the page than in the belly."

She taps he book again "Write of a haven as you wished it. And have it at risk, then, rescued by some swarthy lass such as yourself?"

Her shoulders fall, delicately. "Aye."

A frown "I thought, as you were a painter, if you could doodle your thoughts and hopes it would.. help?" Her antanae droop