#earthrunes

Minerva sorts through the books.

Her fingers dance along the spines, and she finds what she was looking for.

The book on Banner houses is not often sought. It is mostly here because Truthbranch has it's headquarters here.

But she now looks over it with quiet interest, her eyes searching.

Mostly over either Eiluned Banner Houses, or those allied with Eiluned even if they spring from another

She takes a book mark, and slides it in. Obviously, it's one meant to be gentle on the book, a black and silver cloth strip, thin. One simply does not damage books.

And then she signs it out.

And departs.

********

So it is that Zara gets a phone call...her cell buzzing

She checks the number before answering - very few people call to talk with voices..

It's Hannah her mom!

"Mama." She answers.

"Oh Zara dear, I do apologize if this is a bad time. I know how hard you work managing your library?"

"It's never a bad time for you. What's up? I was getting packed for my visit..."

"well, I just have the most awful news.... you remember the Lovingers three houses down? They had the one big tree?"

"Aye?"

"Well, the other night the place just...well, the fire spread with so much speed it was alarming, and by the time the fire trucks got here, and we've got top quality firefighters you know? by the time they got here iwas already consuming almost all the building. They suspect arson"

"Oh! Was anyone hurt? It didn't spread beyond their property, did it? You and Papa are alright?"

"It didn't spread from beyond the property, thank goodness, but yes, I'm afraid only one member of the family survived. Their teenage daughter.."

"Oh.. what was her name? She was just a kid..."

"Tzipora, she's only 13.. or is it 14 now? SHe's at the hospital treated for some burns. She's lucky it wasn't worse, but she'll be out soon. Only she's got no family to go home too, she's got no home to go home to"

Mom is building up to something in this.

"Do they know who set the fire?"

"No, they're looking into it. Your Friend Marzanna dropped by, told us the name of the detective working on it, and so on. So very nice she is, making sure we were okay. As for Tzipora, well, the authorities have asked if we would be willing to take her in for a short time while they sort through the system and see ...well, foster homes you know?"

"I.. what?" She blinks.

"Doesn't she have a Bubbe? Any aunts or uncles?"

"They're looking, but theyr'e not finding," Hannah admits "She had an aunt but the woman died of the covid, poor thing"

"And her bubbe was in the house when the fire hit. May G_d rest her soul"

"...Oh."

" I thought you should know," her mother continues, "Not that you were close the Lovingers, I don't think anyone else was, what with them letting their dog leave gifts on people's lawns without scooping it up, or how they only showed up to Temple a few times a year but when they did acting like they where there on the FIRST Passover... but no one deserves what happened to them. Tragic. Tragic. I got so upset I made another round of kugels"

"Of course. Of course." A pause. "She's not getting my room, is she?"

There's a LONG Pause, at least by Hannah's standards

Finally, "Well, we're looking into options on if we need to shuffle some things around"

"It is my room!" Zara is soft spoken, even to mortals, but this is approaching a shout. At least a raised tone. "I understand you wish to be compassionate, I understand... but I'm not.. it's.. it's my room."

"Don't shout, young lady. I didn't say she was definitely going to your room, but she's in need... so I thought marybe temprorarily, it's still your room regardless. We could always empty out the old sewing room, move some things into your room for space... but it wil lbe so much smaller for her"

"But it's... Mama!"

"Now Zara , do not make me break out your full name, you know very well you always have a home here, " A bit firmer "And that yoiur father and your uncles and I LOVE you but where are we supposed to put her? A shed out back? You want I should treat a guest who has been through such hardship coldly? You want i should make her sleep on the couch?"

"No! But..."

"Well good. I am glad my daughter remembers the importance of kindness, don't you worry honey, the good lord willing we may find a relation for her we didn't know about after all. Maybe you visit, get to know her?"

"But I have things in my room..."

"Now that is a fair concern, don't you worry, if she ends up guesting in there I will tell her to not touch anything" and surely, a 13 or 14 year old girl will respect that sort of command

"Mama..." Huff. "I was already coming home for my birthday..."

"Don't worry, darling, we'll make it work. If need be we put her up in a hotel that night. You're still our baby girl and always will be"

THAT Night. Mmm

"But... it..."

"I keep things safe there, Mama. You can't put her in before I can secure them."

"You just tell me what you need secured and I'll find a nice safe space for it" The voice of maternal reason

"No, those are my things!"

"I know how possessive you are over things, and I have always respected that. So, if you don't trust me to handle it, then, maybe you should come here early to secure them yourself?"