#earthrunes

Well, that AND being a sluagh

She marvels over Earthrunes. Granted, much of it is dreadfully Fiona, and there are though bleeding-heart Liam touches, but here and there, she sees hints and clues that some folk have made it welcoming for shadow dwellers as well. This is noticed, and appreciated.

there are elements of mystery

A part of her there are skeletons in the fancy closets, behind the elegant gowns and fine vests

Clearly, a place with many delightful secrets to be uncovered... alas, it would be rude to stick her nose into them without at least giving proper greeting to the mistress of the manor. No, not the Baroness, the real one.

The power behind the throne

Throne, perhaps, or wingback reading chair...

Ah - the smell of dust and paper and leather. And tea.

She runs her fingers lightly over the door to the library, she can tell from the weight of it that it could easily block off the world within... a soft sigh, appreciative.

The faintest of taps, much quieter than a knock?

"Enter, please." A whisper only a sluagh would catch!

It seems Lizbet was expected - tea awaits. Zara has set out a full and proper service on cracked china and tarnished silver. Crumbly petit fours with green splotches of mold. Soggy cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Lumpy cream!

Unlike the bold scarlet of the auction, The Librarian wears grey - many shades of it, in delicate fabrics and moth-eaten lace. She sits in a wingback, but rises when her guest enters.

Oh! The Grand Lady herself... Lizbet remembers, and places a slender hand on her chest, and bows to the Librarian.

"Miss Lizbet, I am honored." She returns the bow. "Here, you may call me Zara. Or the Librarian. They, like Talia, are some of my ManyNames."

"The honor is all mine. Thank you ever so much for the invitation. I have seen just a bit of EarthRunes, and met the oddest squire. Quiet pleasant, for a sidhe. This lady showed me the way when I was turned around." Offering out the hand with Quatre on it, which she has carried upright and as carefully as though holding a train out of the mud.

"Ah. Excellent. She is fond of you. Please, sit and be welcome at my table. It is not every day I host such a valorous guest."

Her cheeks pink a little. "I know not what valor you prescribe to me, lady." Joining her at the table. Lizbet's hands fold politely before her, and then unfold, and then are set on her lap to hide a touch of nervousness. "I am sorry, I seldom am asked to tea. Please forgive my rudeness."

"Do you not come to me from Varich lands?"

"If that be not bravery, I know not what is."

She ducks her head a bit. "They were not Varich lands before, but have never been truly welcoming. I envy you your lovely hold, lady. Though, does the lord of the aerie not frighten you? I saw him once upon the trails, and when I thought he be'spied me in the shadows? My blood was like ice!"

"Sergei and I have... an understanding. We give each other berth."

"I assume you mean... distance?" Her cheeks pink uncomfortably. "And not... a sleeping arrangement." Aghast at the very prospect.

The shanda!

"Oh!" Pink!

"Aye, distance!"

"Now.. ah..."

And Zara pours the tea. The scent which reaches Lizbet's nostrils is that of her Very Favorite blend, in an excellent quality.

A soft gasp. "How did you manage..." Then her eyes flicker over seeking, and in the tea supplies - an ivory chest! She smiles. "The finest item that graced the auction table that night, I believe. When Uncle has me for tea, he prefers a rather fusty Earl Grey."

Sniffing the air delicately, "But this has hints of silver needle?"

"It is a marvel. While. forgive, I do not regret that I won the contest... I am glad that you are the first to benefit from it's gift."

"Truly? I would imagine you have no end of guests... " She offers to pour for Zara, hesitantly. Unsure if she should pour as the guest, or if it is proper to let HER pour? Poor dear.

"Please, allow me the honor of pouring."

Gentle, subtle. "And while I have some guests, aye, you are the first kithmate I have welcomed since the auction. We are, largely, a solitary lot. And my Trueheart, bless, has simple enough taste in tea."

"Thank you." She allows Zara to pour, watching intently.

"Such an assortment of treats." She admires. "We do not have many sluagh in my town... and I fear it will be less and less into the future."

"It is difficult, with a Varich."

"But you mentioned an Uncle?"

She nods. "Elias Aberdeen, he is the local historian in Carthage. He is not my true uncle, not by blood. But he 'became' an old friend of the family to help watch over me."

The childling sips her tea, watching Zara with thinly masked hunger - a touch adoration, a touch hero worship, and a bit... well, sluagh don't often get lonesome for company, but sometimes they might...

and what's this? Oh, she is scarcely a childling. Glamour wriggles within her, like a crysalid within it's cocoon. Soon she will be a wilder.

"I understand this. I have benefited from many mentors - few understand us, so we are all 'cousins' and 'aunties' and 'grandmothers."

"It may behove you to travel - to seek and watch and learn."

She shrinks back a little. "It is a very big and dangerous world, lady Librarian. I am but one small childling... and I do not have the grace of a Troll of my own to protect me." A small smile at some piece of artwork - undoubtedly at least one graces the Library... if not the same sort that are for Zara's eyes alone.

"It is big and dangerous - but we survive by being small and hidden, not by avoiding discovery altogether. There are secrets to be found, Miss Lizbet."

Small and sunken black eyes gleam. But... there is a bit of hesitation there, as she pushes it back down. "Questing is for wilders, lady." A sigh. "I find what secrets I may around town... I am the only one, perhaps, who knows the local Stylist's TRUE hair color. But they are simple, tawdry things... and I dare not stray too close to the Baroness's keep."

"Ah, but then, perhaps, it comes time to stray elsewhere. Is the Monday Trod the only one that leads from Silverwolf?"

"I have overheard that there is another..." She slyly sips her tea. "But if you were to know of any in the area, perhaps we might trade details?"

"Perhaps we might." Zara nods. "From here, there are many trods - one, to a place most scandalous."

Lizbet is intrigued, and relents, perhaps a touch too quickly - she will have to learn to hold her secrets tighter. "There is a pathway, a newer gateway, that leads from Rome. One must travel nearly an hour... but once you get there, it takes you on, to Rivervale, where the Gwydion Trolls rule."

Zara nods. "I know the folk of Rivervale."