#earthrunes

"No." likewise "I wouldn't dare."

"Exactly."

"So, yes. I am game for an adventure."

A warm smile blooms across his face. "Wonderful. If I may, I'll tell Coradel and we'll meet to plan strategy together?"

She bobs her head.

"Thank you for saying yes."

"August, you are my oldest friend. How can I say no? You ask so rarely for anything."

"You have your own interests and life to live; I would never assume you'd drop everything for a whim."

"Well, maybe not everything."

"But most, aye."

A soft chuckle. "I thank you, again."

"Come, let us have tea. Tis my party, after all." She lightly takes his hand with her cool one, and gives a gentle tug.

He follows her like a little lamb.

Zara leads back to cake and tea and quiet socializing.

August is no stranger to hedonistic revelry, despite his own quiet inclinations. The difference in his poise and calm confidence is marked, in this environment.

To be fair: it is a sluagh party, in a library.

Perhaps he's more selective in his choice of food and drink, then. Nonetheless, he seems relaxed.

"I did tell thee of Bronte's adventure the other day? How she defended her library?"

"No. Please do." he invites.

And thus, a whispered tale - an interloping dragon, a duel of wits and witticisms, and aid from friends to ensure Bronte's success.

"And then, Bronte quoted Hillel the Elder. She hath studied the Talmud!"

A soft chuckle. "A thrilling tale, but a part of me is not surprised." he confesses "She has certainly outstripped me."

"Oh, she is a wonder, my little darling bookwyrm."

"But then she was able to claim a prize - three books from the challenger's hoard!"

"Three? So many? A heavy penalty."

"Well, she came in, guns blazing, to take all of Bronte's hoard. And, methinks, she had thought to take the Librarian, too." Sniff.

"-You-??" that startles him "Unacceptable."

"Well, clearly, that would not have gone well for her. But three books is a fair price."

"I would say it is no where near your value, but perhaps a suffcient sting to discourage further attempts."

"Oh, it was a delightful library."

"Bronte allowed me to select some of the prize."

"Very generous of her." August concedes.

"Aye! I am grateful, she did not need to. Any book from there would have been a prize."

"I did find the most romantic collection of letters..."

"Oh?" his interest is sparked; perhaps after the ladies have finished he might have a chance to see and hold the new works.

"Oh, aye! Let me show you!" She gets up to fetch her prize!

He follows along.

She offers out the portfolio - not a true book, but a bundle of handwritten letters!

"Tis from the Second World War, from she at home to he overseas..."

He takes it reverently "Should I use gloves?"

"I have a pair in your size."

Of course she does.

A standard procedure for dealing with older pages, after all. He leafs through.

"See how they are so cautious, and speak in codes to tell of their changeling selves? Why... oh, imagine were this to be a novel... adapted, of course. Fictionalized..."

August reads, nodding. "Remarkable."

"Aye! Oh, it is romantic, nu?" That was perilously close to gushing.

"Yes." a small smile on his perfect lips "A wonderful love story."

"Most instructive."

"Methinks there should be more letter-writing. It is a most wonderful birthday-gift from Bronte, to be sure."