#earthrunes

She takes his arm and is lead off.

(Somewhere behind a 4th wall, a ST is mortified he missed this until now)

(End Scene)

Zara's return to her library later is a thoughtful one, Tiziporah is in good hands, and justice for Reginald proceeds. The man hasn't slept.

But still, the library has beccome a home and domain

The sluagh amuses herself finding appropriate primers for a fledge, and an Eshu - Rumi and Shahrazad, Lakatos' Color of Smoke, some of Almond ap Fiona's and Professor Wayburton's histories....

Bronte flutters down and lands before her "Welcome stranger. The paths are treacherous today" despite the grim quote, Bronte is delighted to see her friend and gives a lick of an inky black tongue

"Hello, Darling. You have been guarding your treasure well?"

"My tail a thunderbolt" she rubs against her

Then, as if remembering something she adds "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Between that quote and the way some books have shown signs of being moved, slightly and read, Zara may deduce the hold has guests

A brow. "I see..."

“Where should I go?" -Alice. "That depends on where you want to end up." - The Cheshire Cat.” Bronte beams eyes bright

That brow again, and she goes to fetch the Carrolls.

The Adventures of Alice in Wonder land has been checked out by a Gail Liddel?

By now, Zara knows most of the names of those who serve in the hold

"Who is this?" A pause. "Liddel? Like Alice?"

Bronte winks "Curiousier and Curiousier"

"A relative?"

Brontie ponders "Through the looking glass" Indicating the resemblence is uncanny

The Liddels , well, there are rumors that that family line has strong changeling blood. Zara is well versed enough to have heard of such

"Curious indeed."

"Miss Zara," Steward Delores speaks up "You're back. Pardon my intrusion but a gift was left for you and I was asked to hand it over when you returned? "

"Aye?"

She overs a gift over, oh, a birthday gift that must have come while she was with her folks, it's a purple box with black ribbon and a small sticker that says 'From Gerd and Siv' ah, the two ladies she knows best at Rivervale

A soft smile. "Thank you, Delores."

"Unless there's anything else, I'll leave you to it" Delores smiles

Bronte chimes in "Contrarywise?"

"Pardon?" Delores blinks at hte bookwyrm

"The time has come my friend, to talk of many things" Bronte throws in, then looks to Zara.

"Ah... Delores, might I inquire of a... new visitor, I presume? Some of my books were borrowed by a Miss Liddel..."

"Ah yes, a childling of my own kith, Gail Liddel... poor girl was nearly depleted of glamour. She was rescued by our other guest, one Fadhalia, an Eshu of seasoned years who runs a book mobile for childlilngs. Emma tended to some scratches on Gail, mostly by sitting on her"

a good natured look at that

"I would never have envisioned a pooka healer, but... aye, she has a way."

"Is the eshu still about?"

"Both are" She nods "Miss Fadhalia is telling tales in Jack's pub, young Gail is reading by the balefire."

"Wonderful. Thank you, Delores."

"Most welcome, Zara... and.. I'm glad you liked your birthday. " She smiles and moves on to her tasks

Zara quietly beams, and, when alone, opens the gift.

Happy Birthday Zara, we realize you've probably got all the books we can manage, so instead we got you something to write with. May your life be a long and grand adventure, Gerd and Siv!

and the gift is rather small...but old, oh so old. They probably had to pool their resources.

A soft smile.

A victorian age dipping pen! Sllightly tarnished to give it character. And two vials of ink, a regular sort, and another vial of chimerical ink, in purpure!

Oh she has many pens, and she prefers to steal them, but the thought means much.

It does indeed.

And now, to the guests.

But which one first?

Ah, well, it turns out she comes across Gail Liddel first. The girl is reading the book.

Zara fetches some tea and cakes (aged and fresh), to set up a little corner nearby.