#earthrunes

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The steward comes in to the library looking about for the librarian

Zara is reading.

"Miss Zara? Have you a moment?"

"Ah, Steward Delores. Aye, I do. Would you care for some tea?"

"You're very kind, but with yule coming up I'm afraid I'm all business today. Tell me, do you know a young piskie named Selena?"

"I do. She approached you, then?"

"She did" A nod "Said you were willing to reccomend her. Oddly, I asked about. Most folks thought she had BEEN hired. This was news to me. " The boggan gossip chain works "No complaints except she had a light work load. Then again, she had zero pay check save for room and board. I don't suppose you could enlighten me?"

"And not quite proper room and board, either. She had been sleeping in storeways and transient places."

"mmph" A frown "I do have some sympathy, but... do you have details on how and why she came to be acting as a maid in the first place?"

"She needed to be here. And needs a safe place."

"I fear my mother is an undue influence on me."

"mmmm" A frown "most irregular, most irregular indeed."

"Aye. But I know you would sense her need, aye?"

"And in a hire, it offers her a touch of security and saves her pride."

"mmm you're preying on my kiths' proclivities just a bit I feel, not saying without good cause. " A thought "Very well, I'll hire her. Perhaps I'll have her trained by Ivanka, if she's going to be allowed to serve you tea and tend this place when Ivanka can't. "

"And tea without lime. Lime!"

"Lime?" She blinks "oh my.. you're a very forgiving woman"

"Miss Selena has difficult circumstances."

"Yes, I'll make sure the tea lessons get a priority. Very well, I'll approve of her on your reccomendation. If she ends up beingg some shadowcourt spy I'll be cross about i"

"So shall I."

"Well, if your eyes are on it, I'm much de stressed. Speaking of tea, I can't sttick about, but would you like some brought to you sans Lime?"

"That would be lovely, thank you."

"Most welcome.." And off she goes

About ten minutes later, Charity the boggan comes in nervously.

"Charity?"

"Brought your tea, Miss Zara. Ah... pardon, I shann' be long" She eyes the webs in the room nervously

"They are all well-fed today, no need for nerves... this afternoon."

"Good, tell Octa I AM terrbly sorry about that dishwater splash"

"Certainly."

She hastily retreats

And the tea now ready for her, smells delicious, Delores got some of the fancier sttuff to make up for the lime

"Ooo..." Good tea and a book. What a nice day.

(End Scene)