#earthrunes

Whether Coradel and Zara will get time to talk about the real estate final choice between the two pots is entirely up to them

Zara is the queen of the library - most often found there, if one seeks her.

Coradel waits a certain period before visiting the library, allowing for Earl and Zara to be appropriately...ah..."celebratory."

Zara has a whole stack of sketches, ideas in addition to Earl's paintings. Dreams thick with warm, homey glamour hang in the air around her.

A polite knock as Coradel slips into the library. "Librarian, dear!" she says softly, smiling. "Have a moment?"

"Aye?" She meets Coradel's eyes. A smile is lurking in the corners of her own, though not on her lips.

"I presume you've heard the news?" She approaches, and then sees the drawings. "Ah yes, you have."

"Aye. You are willing to sell?"

"Though I do love my crooked room here, we cannot live in the freehold full-time. For many reasons. But a mortal home, close by..." Walking distance, even.

"The benefits of keeping you close by, even in your mortal times, make it more than worth it."

"I would stay here." A pause. "Earth-Runes is home, aye?"

A warm smile. "It is. And it delights me that you feel that way."

"Now, which of the spots do you feel makes the most sense for the home you wish to have?"

"I like the trees, in truth."

"For all that Mine Hunter requires sunlight, I still desire some measure of gloominess..."

"Yes, trees do provide a happy medium there."

There is one Willow tree that looks positively melancholy

"And with the river so close..." A sigh. "Truly, I could not ask for more. I understand, there is a matter of money and negotiation and paperwork..."

"I had thought to ask Sally Mae to be a proxy, for she is experienced with real estate."

"Oh, all those matters..." She waves the thoughts away. "I fear we must burden August with much of that. But trust me that I wish to make it an arrangement that benefits all of us."

She nods. "Now, just because I can pay a fair price doesn't mean I am a schmuck." Now a quirk of her lips. "My mother is a nocker, nu? I can haggle."

"Oh, of this I have no doubt!" This doesn't seem to worry her.

A soft chuff. "Should be an enjoyable dance. We have not sparred in ages."

"It has been a while, hasn't it? Well, let me find August and let him know what has occurred. You and I and he and Earl should sit together and, as they say, hash this all out."

"Tis a date."

"Lovely." She smiles and turns to go, pausing to look back and say, "I truly am delighted about this." And she departs.

Zara is not alone long, Vashti enters the room "Thou did not take the yellow one did thee? I fear I shall drive my car into it if you do"

"Clearly, the yellow is for thee and thine."

"It shall be the shamelessly bright death of me" A sigh "You will leave flowers on my grave, yes?"

As she does this "Oh, and while you ponder that question, I have a pre house warming gift that I am sure you will appreciate to say hello properly to guests who intrude without warning"

(It's actually nicer than that, custom design but you get the idea)

A raspy rattle, one might think she was giggling herself to stitches.

"I love it."

Vasthi IS a pooka, and for much of her life she spread death instead of joy. Now her sister's laughter warms her fluttering dusty heart, "It is implied that the selection of the doom is subject to the whims of the mistress of the house, of course"

"Earl may also dispense doom." Soberly. Too soberly.

"That is most equitable of you," She touches at her chin as if she had a sage beard to stroke "The couple that rooms together shouldst doom together"

Another rattle.

"I fear Mama and Papa would despair. And the Uncles."

"I had... I had always thought I would.. Scarsdale, aye?"

"Eye" She nods "Some threads seemed destined in the pattern they are to undertake"

"I do still see them oft."

"And with guest rooms, they can visit."

"Dear sister, it is more than that... you plant a seed of Scarsdale on THIS soil. A part of it shall be with thee" A tilt of her head "Maybe thou couldn't make it literal?"

"I suppose wherever I am, there is aught of Scarsdale with me."

"thy magic still requires resources, aye?"

"For the building? Do not blame Earl, when EF pooka listens, people speak"

"But it seems to multitudes, that if it takes wood or stone and throws it into the magic, might it not also take a SPECIFIC stone or knickknack, say... just for giggles and unseemly gas, one from Dalescar?"

"Ohhhh...."

"And, methinks, some of Iowa."