#earthrunes

A soft cider is handed over "Try this one, Vince worked hard"

"Jack sayeth it is for Samhain, but tis delightful now."

"Is Vince here?" politely as he takes the drink.

A soft smile towards Zara's joy over her drink.

"Not at the bar anyway" Jack answers "It 's a slow night"

He nods at tastes the drink.

"Quiet. Tis perfect. And now my friend is here, so more perfect yet."

A chuckle. "Thank you, Zara. Oh, Daria stopped by the library while you were out. I hope you'll be able to talk to her later."

"What did she have to say?" Earl asks

"I should let her say it." August says apologetically "But I believe she is sincere."

"Mmm. I shall look for her, aye. I wonder if she would care for horse books? Too on the nose?"

"She didn't strike me as a reader" Jack muters

"Daria of Chink...Sheenk... oh, bother, what a word!"

"Chingo-teek." Giggling.

Earl's eyebrows lift a that

August tilts his head curiously. "Aahhh.... she, ah, Coradel suggested a book of general Greek mythologies."

"And, ah, poetry."

"Oh, good choice. Coradel has learned well. Good job, August."

"Not my work, I assure you." a little pink at the praise.

"huh, that's.. yeah, bullfinch's might do her good" Earl agrees

"All the best kiths are greek" Jack jokes

"Here's a health to the Baroness and a lasting peace
To faction an end, to wealth increase.
Come, let us drink it while we have breath,
For there's no drinking after death.
And he that will this health deny,
Down among the dead men, down among the dead men,
Down, down, down, down;
Down among the dead men let him lie!" A whispery sing song.

Earl's widen No, THIS must be what going mad feels like but.. then he smiles

"Isn't that fun? There's a verse about Bacchus. That's Greek..."

"You're a woman of class and culture" Jack nods

August smiles too, and takes a sip of his cider.

She half hums - her broken voice can't really carry a tune.

"August, I found the most marvelous book - I thought of you, for tis Narnia..."

"Oh?" immediate interest, his own book set down.

"Mmm-hmm. The Silver Chair."

"Thou wouldst like the pictures. Illustrations. Aye?"

"I look forward to see it, yes, Zara. Thank you." he brightens.

"A-hem." Coradel's voice at the door...and Coradel, too...in a not-quite-revealing gown that nevertheless suggests more than it reveals. "My love..." she says to August, "you seem to have gotten waylaid by scoundrels." A wink to Jack.

Jack nods "Head Scoundrel tending bar here what can I get you, Baroness?"

"Mmm?" August looks around and.... stares.

"Oh, no, Jack, thank you. But August and I have a...prior engagement." A suggestive look as she beckons to her trueheart.

"Ah. Ah. Yes. I'd.... ah, forgot. Jack, your book." he pushes it across without really looking as he stands "Pardon me."

"I am a scoundrel, aye. Coradel, punish him mightily for his transgressions!"

A tiny hiccup.

That makes him pause and blink at Zara, then Earl. "Ahh....."

Coradel notices Zara at the bar with some surprise...and even more surprise at what she says. And then a bit of delight in her smile. "Far be it from me to question the wisdom of our Librarian."

"N... no." more slowly, but he walks to join Coradel.

She raises her half-empty glass to the sidhe.

Earl puts an arm about his Lady "We should probably get to bed as well"

She claims August's hand, and offers a wave to Leonora and Kylie across the room before leading him out, another glance at Zara and Earl before they go.

"Mmm. If thou insist...."

And the befuddled, SOBER Baron is led away.

"I'd flicke flash us to my room but we might ennd up in catacombs" Earl gathers her up genntly "Jack mmm .. keep that recipe for the Witch's mire drink handy?"

Jack chuckles "Sure. Night all of you"

She blows a kiss to Jack. "My Love, I am not sleepy..." As she is led away by Earl.