#earthrunes

On the way to the library, Coradel, who may feel cheated that she missed the battle against a winter storm, notices a sidhe with glasses. Not unheard of. But sttill new.

"Hello," Coradel says curiously as she pauses, addressing the bespectacled sidhe. "You're new."

"Ah. Baroness Coradel, my honor to introduce Lady Halina of House Varisch."

"Oh! You're the one I've been hearing about!'

Lady Hlina curtses "i am new, newly rescued, Baroness, by Miss Zara and Sir Earl of this very hold"

"Well, you are welcomed," Coradel graces her with a smile.

"It's a lovely hold, I am sorry if I've been somewhat low visibiltty, it's just, with the poorr sluagh who were shameffully oppressed by members of my own House and the horror they faced, I thought it might be nice to stay out of their view. I hope I have not seemed rude?"

"Well, not to me, but then again I just got back. I appreciate your courtesy, though. Tell me, was...that other hold, was it home for you? Or is there somewhere else you consider home?"

"I was a guest there, a 'plus one'... had I known what went on that hold" a look of disgust "Well, I would have tried to expose it then too but I might have succeeded," the bespecled beauty says "I have been something of a Rover. I was going to enjoy Imbolc here, your Stewardess gave me permission. After that? I'm not sure where I'll go"

"Oh, by all means, you are welcome to stay with us for Imbolc! From what I hear of your attempts to help the innocent, you have more than earned hospitality here. I wonder...have you met Sir Sergei yet? He is of your house."

"Ah."

A blink at August. "Ah?"

"I have... avoided Sir Sergei for fear he might see me as a tratior. NOT that I think he would condone the hunting of sluaggh, but for being willing to oppose annd embarrass my own House"

August indicates her explanation was his 'Ah.'

"Mm. Well...I suppose that's possible. Still, you're likely to run into him sooner or later. And as a guest, you shouldn't have to skulk around. Has anybody spoken to Sir Sergei about the Lady's presence here?" she asks August.

"I do not know. Steward Delores might but she has been busy."

"Then one of us surely must."

"Oh, well, I do not want to be trouble, it's just that, the incident of our House Founderr was born 1000 years ago. Barrinng strong past lives, no one fully remembeers the details. this vendeta against an entire kith is keeping House Varich ffrom true greatness"

A smile. "I think I like you."

"Well, thank you" Halina is taken by surprise, but pleasantly so

"I think there is wisdom in your perspective, Lady, but I'm not sure your House siblings share it." respectfully.

"Oh I am very certain most don't. I'm one of those Pattern Breakers, a non traditioan Seelie Varich... do Sluagh unsettle me? yes. I find them a bit off putting, but they can not help the dreams they arre born of, and I must mend my biases, not they their whole culture"

"That is... very enlightened." August says with a soft smile "And, welcome."

"If I were truly enligthened I wouldn't have tthe bias to fight in the first place. But we Varich's enjoy a challenge. Mine is internal but I'll win yet" she taps her glasses "Oh, I must thank your steward once again. I had lost my glasses, but then she had a nocker make me new ones? Work better than my old- and the flaw in them merely comical"

"Oh, those are Bertrand's work? What, may I ask..." she lowers her voice "...is the flaw?"

"I see shades of purple as pink. I haven't had the heart to tell Miss Zara she looks like her favorite colors are primrose and a very pink Peony"

August coughs, clears his throat.

"Oh, now...I think I'd very much like to see her in those colors!"

"Well, as they are prescription I ffear you'd just see pale pink blur" a chuckle

"I suppose you will have to appreciate her appearance that way for me," she says wth a smile.

"We were, ah, just on our way to seek Zara out." August volunteers.

"Oh, I shouldn't keep you then. "

"Yes, please do excuse us," Coradel agrees with August.

"Ah. Unless you would like to join us?" politely.

Coradel blinks. "Ah, August...perhaps she could join us another time." A smile for Halina. "We need to discuss some things, first."

"Oh worry not about me. I have a book to read"

"Of course." He hushes.

"Lovely. What book?"

"Juicy little novel by one Talia Amur. I really feel close to the main character" a happy sigh and she curtsies again "Have a lovely chat"

August goes pink.

Coradel controls a laugh and gives her a graceful nod in return. "Do enjoy!" And she draws August away by the arm.

She leans close to whisper, "The vicar character turns me on."

She does like the way August pinks.

He is definitely a full, lush primrose.

And so they continue towards the library.

Once there, Coradel knocks before looking in. "Miss Zara?"

"Hello?"

Zara has risen from her wingback - judging by the cup of tea and the face-down book beside it, she had been reading.

"Ah! Good, you're here. She's here, August." Coradel and August come into the Library.

"I hope we're not interrupting you at a suspenseful moment," she nods to the book, "but August tells me you have some notion about what to do with the Varich hold that needs to be taught a lesson or two?"