#earthrunes

August heads to the library

Zara's little haven of tea and dust!

He enters, calling softly "Zara?" an undercurrent of... stress?

"August?" She looks up from her reading.

He hustles over to her. "Hello." a pause for manners "How are you?" politely.

"I am well. Art thou?"

"Ah, yes, thank you."

"I... ah, I was wondering if you'd heard anything from the Duchy Seat?"

"No?"

"No?" almost shocked, perhaps doubting?

"I was home for Sukkot..."

"Ahhh... Ah. Of course. My apologies, I should have thoughts. I see. Well. Ah. Thank you."

"If you -should- hear of anything ... would you let me know?"

"August... what have you heard?"

"Just, ah, rumor." a bit sheepish "Gossip."

Zara nods. "Gossip often is smoke for a true fire. Please, sit. Share with me?"

He looks a little agonized but can't deny her. He sits.

"It... might be more than just idle gossip. I'm not sure."

Zara nods.

"And, well... I can be discrete in investigation."

"Oh, I never meant to suggest otherwise!"

"Or, ah, to suggest you need investigate, at all. After all, if there were anything to it, you'd know already."

"August, despite my desire to appear all-knowing... you know I am still but mortal."

A shy smile. "Hardly that."

"Still - please?"

"Ahhh...." he shifts in his seat but again.... it's her asking "I have heard there is ... much confusion at the Seat." he swallows "Master Jeomry, the Namer? I understand he was murdered. By one of his two lovers."

Her eyes widen. "Murdered?"

August nods gravely with wide grey eyes. "If this is to be believed, he was... involved... with a satyress, and another, I assume Sidhe, who despite other appearances was actually Leanhaun. She is in custody, but the satyress has absconded. And Master Jeomry is dead. So the story goes. Official word is yet to come."

She shakes her head. "Murder is an abomination."

"No doubt Da'an will balance the scale." August says.

"If the story is true. It is only rumor."

"Of course, of course."

August wipes his forehead sheepishly "Forgive me, Zara. This was... it's nothing, I'm sure. The rumor unsettled me. I apologize."

"Naught to apologize for."

"You're too kind."

"I hope your visit home was good? Sukkot?"

"Oh yes. Tzipporah added a new element, but I think she was able to find some joy in it."

"I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting the lady."

"Ah! She is a young wilder - an eshhu."

"Ah!" he smiles "And she attended your Sukkot."

"Aye. She is living with my parents after a tragedy befell her family."

"Now that the high holidays are past, I suspect I shall soon hear she is to be made official."

"Congratulations!"

"It... it seems I am fated to have a surfeit of siblings, aye. But I like her."

A gentle smile, warm. "That is good."

"It is. And she'll be loved and safe."

"Mrs Schwartz has a large, and warm, heart; room enough for all there."

"Very true. Mama has an endless supply."

"And Tzipporah is mannerly!"