#earthrunes

Veronika looks troubled as she wanders the halls of Earth Runes.

Earth Runes is pleasant as always, with the scent of flowers in the air (flowers and tea in the library hallway).

The flowers surprise her, and she moves in to see

And peeks into the library

Zara is reading, with the dragon perched on her shoulder so they mayshare the words. A vase of cut lilies is nearby - purple and silver blooms, on the wilted side.

"Ah, Miss Zara, I didn't realize you liked flowers" Veronika says

"Ah, Miss Veronkia. I do not mind flowers. My Earl gifted them to me."

"Sir Earl is ever kind, a bit odd for a troll, but his heart is as pure as any story tale knight. Forgive me, Miss Zara, I have been thinking about my kith's birthrights. To experiment with them , with one, it's just a matter of the water, it empowers me. But the other has questionable difficulty in the testing"

"Ah... and this troubles you?"

"I am a dream of justice, to meddle with the mind and perceptions of an innocennt for testing seems... unethical"

"It has happened once or twice, by accident"

"So - it sounds like you have need of one who is NOT innocent."

"Obviously, the Liam needn't hear of this."

She nods "exactly. Know you where I can start?"

"Mm.. have you been practicing your soothsay?"

"Yes, as you suggested, it's a useful art for knowing targets"

"Precisely."

"Now, do you have any particulars in mind?"

"THey need not be a serial killer" Veronika decides with an easy grace, "Perhaps one who harrasses women, or vandalizes otthers homes. Something worthy of a scare?"

Zara nods.

"Near water is best for me to have advantae should other things go wrong, but not crucial"

"Hm. There are several bars near the river..."

"Does one have a worse reputaitonn than the other?"

Zara hms, and slowly nods.

"Might I know it's name? "

"I wouldst go to the "Biigewater Pub," mayhaps. Drink shirley temples - keep thy wits, but appear to be drinking aught stronger..."

"Ah yes, make myself prey" A brrow knit "It may not be as big a test of my abiiies as I like. If I am already luring them, but yes I thank you"

"That is the gift of the Rusalka - to draw them, allow them to earn their Lessoning."

"Yes, I suppose I had hoped to protect an innnocent rather than myself" She admits

"Ah."

"Then... let us find an innocent."

Zara rises, and Brinte absconds with the book to keep reading. (Glutton)

"your dragon is going to get fat on words" Veronika observes with a slight smile

"Aye. But what better to indulge in so?" She goes to the window, pulling a white flower from another vase.

Veronika chuckles at that "A fair point"

A silver pitcher of water... a bowl of mirrored glass...

WHy, it seems Zara has bunk elements scattered all about the library!

"Our shadow sisters were always so clever"

A little grey smile.

"And so..." She pours the water into the bowl. "Come close, and watch with me."

And she does

The flower is dropped onto the surface. "A world fraught with danger, where horrors may lie behind the smile of a stranger... show us the lamb who walks before wolves..."

It takes awhile, thenn finally the magic shows images, a crossinng? Wheels.... a foot stepping down and hitting a puddle...

a hound of gray racing away

"The bus depot... near the river, this is well..."

"Then I must go there... thank you"

"Good luck to you, Veronika"

She splays her webbed finngers and puts hem over her heart "I shall callfor help if I must"

Zara nods

And off she goes