#earthrunes

Velvet sets the tea up, Lily watches with approval. Jacob fidgets.

"Will Miss Zara show up?" Lily inquires "I sent word to Symon, but I'm not sure the Denier can make it. "

"What of Miss Lizbet?" Squire Velvet says still sets the tea up "And Miss Zara may, or she may not. This tea was not properly announced after all"

Jacob moves his cap "My sister is a bit of a chatterbox but I GUESS she can come if she wants"

"It is her library we're using, young Jacob" A tut from Velvet

"Well, yes" He begrudgingly admits "But that's only because she worked so hard on it"

Lily helps set up a few tea cozies "Will Mr. Gluminski show?"

"Oh assuredly, he has a powerful urge to explain how doomed we are. QUite enjoyable" Velvet smiles toothlessly

“All through my life I've had this strange unaccountable feeling that something was going on in the world, something big, even sinister, and no one would tell me what it was."
"No," said the old man, "that's just perfectly normal paranoia. Everyone in the Universe has that.”

Bronte flits her wings against her back, looking pleased.

Jacob actually smiles himself "Bronte." He reaches into a pocket and pulls out something "Got you something. Check it"

And it is a book, a VERY small book

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

"Ick, no need to be too warm and fuzzy, Bronte" Jacob says daring not to betray he actually liked that. HE hands the book over, and scratches her under the chin.

Bronte rather greedily opens it right up!

Lily humphs "Well , she is a bookwyrm. Besides, how much can you put on a book that small? Talk about abridged"

"It is a chimerical book called : “For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”" The boy says loftily "And whether Mr. Hemmingway really wrote it or not, it was dreamed up fine. "

"I think it's very nice of young Jacob to pay tribute to Bronte," Velvet says kindly, and wanting to encourage such in the future

Bronte is quite happily engaged.

"I see that tea hath already been brewed?"

Heads turn , and Velvet puts hand to chest "Indeed. Miss Delores 's rare blends, which, of course, taste even better when liberated without her noticing"

A tiny grey smile at that. "Aye, so."

"Sister" Jacob says "I got all dressed up and you're late. Poor form. Tut tut"

LIly scoffs "She is not late, she's fashionably arrived"

Zara raises an eyebrow at her brother. "Am I?"

"You are not," Squire Velvet says "Mr. Gluminski has yet to arrive after all. Please, join us. Your seat is untouched"

She splays a hand over her chest, dipping her head, before going to take her seat.

"Salutations, Miss Zara" Lily says "We have some delightful findings to share," Then a look to Jacob "At least I do."

"I do too" Jacob protests

"Aye?"

"The childings wanted a proper tea, it seems. I thought to oblige them" Squire Velvet nods. "It was rather rushed I fear"

"Oh but we must pour it," Lily says trying not to be impatient.

a soft knock on the door

"That would be Mr. Gluminski" Velvet says "Jacob, if you would?"

Zara steeples her hands, watching thoughtfully.

Jacob straightens his hat, and opens it. Sure enough, it is Mr. Gluminski. The grump appears to be sickly, more wizened, in a fine state of decay. Which is to say, age is gracing him as it should his kith!

"Do forgive my lateness" Mr. Gluminski offers his coat and hat to Jacob, who takes them and puts them up properly

"Naught to forgive." Zara rises to show the grump proper respect, briefly bowing over her hand.

"You are too kind, Miss Zara," Mr. Gluminski returns the gesture, his spine popping as if his bones were oh so brittle despite the kith's natural suppleness. He then takes his seat, and settles, more bones seem to protest. Honestly, he's a wreck: Life goals.

"Greetings, Mr. Gluminski," Lily says "You appear as if you could expire any moment"

"Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if you had a cardiac arrest," Jacob adds.

Mr. Gluminski seems flattered, "Oh such kind words. Really, Miss Zara, your brother and young Lily both have taken well under the care of you and the denier"

"They do well against their youthful vigor."

"Yes, fear not, childlings, in time you will find your wretched vitality sapped, as mine has been" The grump promises, "Even stairs will become an adventure"

"Neat" Jacob says

"I certainly hope so" Lily nods "But oh, Miss Zara, would you handle the tea?"

Velvet is polite, and quiet, but one can see she is enjoying this. She loves her boggan, but sometimes one needs the company of other sluagh

"I shall take the honor, aye." And she does - serving oldest to youngest.

Zara maybe gregarious (A challenge she has worked hard to make useful) but she knows how to serve tea with grace and expertise. The childlings make note of her technique, even Jacob, though he'd not admit it, to one day better emulate it. Thus are customs and traditions passed on.