#earthrunes

The old radio, a nocker creation, gives advisories on chimerical weather all over the country... Earl looks worried. "And despite the furking fact some areas ARE clear in the Autumn lands, chimerical snow is even more wide spread. So the C.A.W... that is, Concordian Advisory for Witches, suggests NO broom flying for at least another week in most of Concordia. Conditions are flipping BLINDING, and the broom brush is freezing colder than a witch's... well, ya know. Sure, ignore the warning so you can make spooky symbols by the moon, but don't cry to US if you end up getting your shoes taken off your cold dead body by some Kansas farm girl"

Earl looks about unsure if his lady love is nearby to hear the warning "Zara, honey, no broom flying okay? I'll worry"

Huff!

He hears the whispered huff from a nearby shadow, and wisely adds "Thank you, darling. I can be a drag. I'll gladly flickerflash us anywhere you like?"

The radio continues on, "Advisories are also out for Yeti and Abominable encroachment, the weather triggering mating season in the low lands for these shaggy chimera. Only so bright at the best of times, hormones may make them PARTICULARLY stupid so we advise you put away any Frosty or Santa outdoor decorations lest the items end up ravished by accident."

Earl winces. No, he doesn't want to picture that

A soft chuff of amusement.

"There's also a warning from chimeraologists that the extreme snow and cold have caused large swathes of ear worm Chimera to reset to songs from Frozen the movie... AGAIN. Just when you thought some songs would finally be 'let go' . Our station's trusted namer advises that girls named Elsa maybe prone to fits of alternating meglomania and or depression and advise if you have a sister, keep near her so she can level you out."

Earl ponders "I hope Vashti is careful out there" Reminded of 'sisters' in that regard

"She was doing okay - she's doing some big project for that Varich."

Siiigh. "SHe's being paid well, and I don't think the Baroness knows Vash has a sluagh sister."

A nod "Well, she BETTER pay Vashti well; the quality is worth it. But you know how her wings get in the cold"

"Right. They're very delicate."

"Luckily, they're fuzzy. Imagine if she were a butterfly instead!"

"Good point. She'd be a pookasicle" A nod

"Reports that a Husky team has been lost on the trods have been confirmed, the former driver having fallen off the sled" the radio continues "Location unknown, but if you see a sled dog pack without a person come out of a trod, there is said to be a reward"

"Oh dear."

"Poor dogs" Earl agrees

"The finals for the 'Winter House Hockey Slug out' are coming up, as usual, Houses Varich and Aesin are favored to make it to the big game but some say this could be the year the Ailil team spoils and reclaims the big snowflake trophy"

"I think Dame Claire has a t shirt for the Ailil team" Earl recalls "And hey, if they beat the Varich or even knock them out... I'll cheer the silver dragon"

"Point."

The news continues "Not everyone is taking the news of Snow well. In the County of Hawk Holding, Ruler Countess Teagan Highrod has declared that Winter Magics and Kyros are no longer to be taught to commoners in the area and are prohibited from its use. Reportedly, the Countess feels the commoner childlings are trying to FORCE Snow days with their cantrips... to quote her 'they have abused the privilege'"

She narrows her eyes. "Really now?"

Earl blinks "Hey, that County is in Iowa. Not our area, thank goodness. I think Highrod is a Gwydion"

"Yes, really" the radio says, as if it heard the question

"Mmm. Pity I can't teach those arts directly. I must needs recruit aid."

A brow lift. Troll for 'Oh dear. They've riled my trueheart'

"And no brooms." Huff!

"Just what the punishment will be is unclear at the time." The radio continues "And now... a word from our sponsor"

She rolls her eyes.

A jingle starts up 🎼 "You got bad circulation? We got compression, we got bright colors to cure your depression. Some are made of cotton, some are made of wool, we got some made from rare chimerical fur that's pretty cool. Don't let shoes guard your feet alone. Only socks provide toes a proper home! Forget about Christmas, that's for putzes, shop for Hanukkah at Socks R Uses!" 🎵

"They're still using last year's jingle I see" earl comments

"But it's so catchy!"

A smile "And takes pot shots at Christmas. Methinks that tickles you"

"Wee bit."

"Mm. Emmitt knows Winter... Vali has Kyros..."

"Why is it always trolls?"

"We come from the lands of the ice and snow, something something hot springs blow... " he semi quotes a song "It's the Norse leaning I suspect. Of course, we DeBukes have treasured the Seasonal arts period. Why it is rumored a few of us even practice the dubious art of Autumn" LIghtly teasing

Of course, Spring is the most popular there. Just too useful for a farm.

A wry smile. "Don't know who that would be."

"Of course, the Aesin and Varich are only recently returned and act like they invented Winter magics. Which must be news to Mer as well as trolls" Wry "When the Farmhold hears about this 'lock down' in a neighboring county, I just know the fam will likely give lessons in Winter. Demand will go up. We trolls are kind of passive agressive in our rebellion like that"

"Exactly. Yes. I think our dear uncle needs to made aware."

"Well, you are his favorite student," A fond smile "he'd likely jump in both feet first if you told him. I suppose, bad as the snow is hitting some parts of the state, I could see the Countess being concerned, but a ban? Bah. Cultivating ignorance only aids banality"

"Precisely."

"And... only commoners are banned from learning commoner arts?"

"This knight shares your commoner outrage, my lady" Earl smiles. To him, she is, titleless or not, far more cultured and classy than any Countess.

She taps his nose. "I suspect she might have opinions on commoner-nobles, if she is already so high handed."

the boop of trollish snoot is the sort of gamble few non pooka will try, but she may do so freely for he knows she means it with love and, in this case, confirmation, "Sadly, the worst of the Falcon are ANNOYINGLY patronizing to non sidhe"

"Gwydion have no respect for nuance."

"Truth, after all, is a gem of many facets."