#earthrunes

Webster Worthy stands near the fire, grateful for the bale's warmth.

Zara has tea - indeed, there's a whole pot. The kitchen's stash has been hit hard the past few days, but Zara's little ivory chest elevates even lipton.

"Miss Zara, I can't think you enough for your rescue of us. It must seem as if we've rewarded your heroism by storming your home"

"Well, this county is yours, too - nu?"

"Though... ah.. I am unused to so many kithmates at once."

"It is mine too but still, we have positively swarmed your library and tea." A thin smile

"You used my name to find me, did you not? I am not offended, rather I'm grateful" Webster Worthy seems as the experience has aged him a touch, the abduction however short it was

"I did, aye. Pray, forgive. It seemed an exigent use of the knowledge, and it was not something I would do lightly."

"I am glad you did, else their defenses might have been even more formidiable. I think you can count on at least half our number being out of this hold by Imbolc. "

"I am not surprised. I hope they find their way well."

"the Varich Halina, the black sun, She.. confuses me" He admits

"Oh, aye. She is painfully seelie."

"And... passionate..."

"And earnest. Feh."

"Is it possible she's ... deceiving us? In some ways it would be simpler if she were" Webster looks nonplused

"I do not think she is. Inanimae tend to be poor at deception."

"well, that's just disturbing" he sighs

"Aye. But then, I am a gregarious sluagh. Perhaps I shouldn't judge."

"I think your challenge was turned nimbly into a blessing this hosting duty, Miss Zara. And you did fill many of us in on what we missed while captured"

"Ah, so. A mitzvah."

"So it would seem" he nods "though I am sadly rather goyish" a toothless smile "No one is perfect"

"Alas. Not everyone may be so lucky."

"Ah, about Emma?"

"Our healer?"

"Yes, she seems to have kidnapped the youngest one. She's.. trustworthy?"

It is possible Emma has been pooka napped in turn

"Emma? She wouldn't hurt a fly. Quite literally, in truth."

"She is fond of childlings, and it seems to be mutual."

"Well, we must each recover in our own way. I did not go intto detail of how they hunted a child"

Zara bristles.

"And they call us monsters."

"we are nightmares by nature, using fear to teach, they.. they are monsters by choice, and most of them have not learned a thingg in a thousand years"

"Well, we have Halina."

"there are rumors others are learning, nott as well as she"

"Aye?"

"Some say a sluagh 'auditioned' at Earth Runnes for a job, and was actually considered. I suppose that speaks well of... what's her name? Dazzlesnow?"

"Dancingsnow. There are two sluagh in her barony. They might not be darlings of the court, but my understanding is that they are treated respectably."

"Dancingsnow" he nods

"I know you would be embarrassed to have it mentioned, but we are in your and Earl's debt, each one of us"

"Ah..."

"Many of us are seelie, so it must needs be repaid"

A sip of tea

"And I trust it shall, in due time."

"is there anything in the here and now we could offer?"

"I... well, I like books?"

"But I think simply... a future favor, that would be fair."

"Fifteen future favors? " he looks a bit amused "some of us will go neurotic"

"Well, only one favor each..."

"Ah, and should Earl be the one to collect them? Some do see you as a duo united thus.. one favor" She recognizes his amusement here, baiting an elder. Wait? Is she the elder here? She is!

Zara steeples her fingers. "Surely, is freedom from the Varich a thing to skinflint gratitude?"