#earthrunes

*****

Zara feels a surge of glamour outside her library

She lifts her eyes from her book and extends a delicate tendril of kenning.

Flickerflash ? Yet, not Earl.. AH...

A knock , really more a brush of knuckles...

She rises and crosses over to open the door. "Hello?"

Gerd waves, dressed in her goth with blue highlights "Greetings Miss Zara" She holds up a care package of fine teas (not as fine as Delores top tier stuff), " I bring tea and news"

"Well, isn't THAT a pleasant way to spend a shabbat. Come in, come in."

"Oh, I've intruded on your Shabbat? Apologies... I go excited about the new arrival" She comes in and turns the tea over

"Feh! Shabbat is a day of rest, and visiting is quite welcome. I am no ascetic, cloistered up." A sniff. "And my nose detects a rather fine offering."

"Would you like to prep the tea or shall I? "

"Could you, please? The kettle is over on the demilune..." A nod at a small table outfitted with tea supplies - a carved ivory chest holding a place of honor!

She nods, and admires "Oh that's lovely.." And asks Zara for her preference of which three flavors of tea she prefers, then, makes it. "Okay, where did you get this ivory chest?"

"An auction. Quite a fete, to win prizes beneath a Varich's nose."

"I believe you know her - a Nadeen Dancingsnow?"

"Ah, yes, I know her, she was raised at Rivervale for a time. Overall decent enough.... still has a distrust of your kith, and I'm sure vice versa, but a lot more relaxed about than MOST Winter suns"

"Mayhaps. I have seen actions from that house which would chill even the most stoic troll blood."

She nods "Yeah. The house needs to move on" The tea prepared and poured, "I'm surprised you went to the auction given Varich rep,,,but really, glad you did"

"It's... counting coup, so to speak. I did not go as Zara, of course."

"That would explain.. oo Siv must have known and ddid't tell, mmmph." a happy sip though "Forgive me, may I skip to the big news in my personal life or is that tacky"

"Tea has been served." She nods, giving tacit permission.

"Thank you, VERY early in the morning, or late at night... My Uncle Vali's lovely wife delievered a baby. She spenta lot of time in dog form, reducing the gestation"

A grin "I have a new cousin"

"Ah! Congratulations are in order then?"

"Theon Brek Gardener has arrived, yes" A smile

"Theon Brek," she muses. "Subtle, your Vali."

"Does the Countess know of this, yet? I assume the Chieftain does."

"If she has heard of it, I didn't see it"

"She does tend to be very private."

"Yeah, Auntie Thea has a soft spot for Vali though. I think She'll be pleased"

"Likely, aye."

"Though..." She considers.

"Well. Countess Ironbrow was also at the auction."

"Yeah, but she didn't recognize you. Adelaide is a friend to me... huh... what was tthe auction like?"

"Oh, a nice affair by and large..."

"There was a bit of a shanda over a treasure Akanthea sent. I believe it was intended for her amusement, in truth."

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

A sigh "Sometimes she gets squirlly, our Countess of Charm"

"Well, I suppose it resolved as well as it could."

"Might I ask what the gift was?" Gwen frowns

"A weapon. One designed to harm sluagh." She frowns.

"Ah, holy shit, they brought Whispermourn? " A groan "I'm so sorry, Zara, to you that must have felt like someone was selling Nazi memorabila"

Zara grimaces and nods.

"I dislike that I could not acquire it... but, well, there is some resignation that Akanthea is more likely to gloat over it like Smaug than use it to cause direct harm to my kith."

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

Gerd nods "a better result than some. I suppose I should stand up Nadeen, but the truth is, I can't see her NOT having it used o secure a room or the like at her new home"

"She is a Varich." A shrug.

"Yes, fortunately with Gwydion influence... at least I thank it's good"

"If you say so. I do not know her."

"And recall, your Chieftain finds me rather a scoundrel. Or at least.. mmm... less than trustworthy."