#earthrunes

"Not at all."

"Again, there is no law saying you may not have another chance."

"I'm.. a bit afraid. It hurt so fucking much. I have held full grown corpses. I've lost a patient or two. But this.. it got past all my professionalism... I'm afraid it will happen again." a breath "Don't tell anyone this happened. I'm Chief. Got to be strong when you're chieftain"

"Secrets are things I hold inviolate. You know this. But you should tell Buck."

"This is not something to be professional about, Clem."

"And.... it is not your loss, alone. You should not carry it alone."

She shakes her head "No. He shouldn't suffer too"

"Clementine."

"Don't make me pout. I'm appoaching grump years, but I still got some childling in me yet"

"Clementine. I ask you to be honest with yourself."

"That sounds horrible"

"Are you truly sparing him, by making your heart bleed alone?"

"Troll protect" Sullen

"Aye. Even when it is scary. Even when it hurts."

"I.. will try"

"You would not betray his trust. You would protect him from that, by being vulnerable. What is more valorous?"

"Maybe I'm not that brave" She admits, then she says "But I'll try. Now, let's get back to you. How are you feeling after our long talk? Spring helping you last?" She takes another temperature reading "Your temperature is healthier"

"Oh, thou art brave. I know my friend very well."

"And I am fine. Why, near fit to jig."

"So this is what Pooka You would be like"

"Nay, that would be Vashti. Me, with wings."

A smile "You are getting better, but 'not near jig worthy yet" a beat "How IS Vashti?"

"Finding her scarlet and silver modee."

Amused "Got to say, when I saw Earl dudded up in red and Silver, I was worried Coradel had you and him converted"

She laughs, though the rasps turn into a fit of coughing against her wishes.

"Oh now, that sounds like more tea for that throat... and maybe some shut eye"

"feh."

"You prefer decaffeinated treachery?"

A hiss, though it is one of fond aggravation.

"Then YOUR turn to be brave, and look after my cousin by looking after yourself"

"Feh."

Sigh. "Treachery, please?"

"One draught of treachery" And she hands it over "Oh, for being a good patient, I offer you this to take later. It is a pack of tea flavored lozenges . We've got a new neighbor, a bogganess... can infuse almost any flavor into anything, "

She swigs down the potion.

"Bogganness? Mmm, maybe she should visit."

"Meet Mama."

Ugh. Coffee flavored

"Now is your mama lonely, or is this a trick trying to get my neighbor to teach your mom how to make t ea flavor infusions?"

"I'll never tell."

A chuckle "Probably wise. I'll make the offer to her,"

And already Zara feels woogy again, sleep coming onto her

"Rest up, Witchypoo"

She sticks her tongue out at the nickname.

"You aren't alone, Clem. S'okay?" A yawn.

Clem takes Zara's hand in hers "I know. I just needed a reminder. Thank you for that."

"S'wha' frens do." She sags back against Earl's pillows.

"And I've one of the best" And then... all goes blurry and sleep reclaims Zara. She'll wake stronger still when next does waken

(End scene)

Velvet peeks into the library, and fights a smile. It would appear Bronte doesn't know she's there.. and the bookwyrm is practicing her bookwyrm boasts