#earthrunes

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Earl returns into the garden, and pets the Unicorn "later ,white run"

"Yes.. uhm, apologies again, Sir Earl"

"Mayhaps the apology could be sealed with an offering. A strand of hair, for example...."

"Oh, uhm.." The Unicorn steps back "I was rather ill.. you want a ..strand from my mane? "

Zara slips her arm through Earl's. "You did gravely insult my trueheart."

"And in doing so, also slandered my virtue."

"I.. well, yes," the unicorn says "Perhaps I could purify some poison for you? Giving up hair strands is sometimes missused by..."

Earl raises a brow "Are you saying my lady would misuse it, on top of the insults already given?"

"I..see.. well..." A sigh

"Aye?"

"Just one hair, please" White Run turns to allow to pluck "I have to apologize to the Baroness again as well"

"But of course." The sluagh's delicate hand seeks, and plucks so deftly that White Run might not even flinch.

"you have skilled hands. " Whiterun states "No, do forgive me? I have others to apologize to. I Hope that poor Fiona I hurt is well again?"

"Emma probably patched her up" Earl says, looking amazed at his trueheart's ability to get what she wants even from Unicorns

"Emma is a skilled healer, for certain sure."

"Well, wounded still or no, I must needs make amends, Sir, Lady" the Unicorn inclines his head, and then heads off.

Earl whispers to Zara "How much do you know of the situation, love?"

A shrug. "Just a little."

"Whiterun went mad with banality, and went from the usual level of purity endorsement Unicorns tend toward to... zealously and rabidly judgemental to the point of attacking. He used his senses to gauge those who were..ahem .most experienced. And ended up attacking Leonora who did not expect a Unicorn to act so if I recall. Leonora came in and nearly collapsed... August got her aid, and she and the steward went looking for Thistlesnort. The unicorn tried to ambush Coradel as well, but Thistlesnort's antlers parried horn...and well.. I came into aid when they defeated it and took it to the Fenix pool. Jessica was gracious"

"The pool has restored him, but a few outstanding debts remain" He nuzzles Zara's hair "Does the strand satisfy the insult given you?"

"It does. I must needs ponder how to best put it to use. Perhaps I shall simply treasure it."

"Or give it to a family member who works in threads? It might create a masterpiece in such talented hands. " He smiles at something

"Mmm...."

"Speaking of family, how was the girl's day out?"

Zara smiles. "It was a nice trip. We went to Philadelphia - there is this museum."

"oh?" He listens "Of quality, it sounds like"

Noting her delight

"Aye. The Mutter Museum - tis a Victorian collection of medical curiosities..."

"Oh, what did your mother think of it?"

"Or Tizzy?" A smile

"They enjoyed it, both. Mama had never been to Philly before! Tizzy liked all the stories..."

"I think she's taken to her kith with a vengeance, think of it, in a year and a day she'll probably be going everwhere then tellinng you the juicy stuff.. albeit in a flowery way"

"I like her, I think."

"Has she met Jacob yet?"

"Not yet."

"Nor Vashti."

"Well, she's going to meet quite the variety"

"Mayhaps we could flicker-flash her here for a visit..."

"If my lady wishes" He takes her hand and kisses it gently "I've missed you"

"And I, thee."

"Oh, while I was at Fenix, I got an invite for us both to visit again. And, I painted a room"

He snuggles "Would love to show you mine 'etchings' there"

"Aye?"

"Aye" And he kisses her on the lips gently, then parts "But first, the library. Bronte misses you"

"Oh, my library..." Her hand in his, she starts for their destination.

And off they go

Zara might hear some faint sounds as they approach the the library. Clearly somebody is in there.

A pause, and she listens.

Earl did't hear it, but when she pauses so does he.