#elsewhere

"Including books for the young'uns"

"And that book club."

"Oh they're still going at it, but yes. Ugh, too much true crime lately for me."

"Have they read Capote yet?"

"I think they just started actually. "

"Oh, excellent!"

"Is Capote good?"

"Quite. Very clean prose."

"mmm I must be the only woman in the 21st century that has zero interest in 'True Crime'" Mmmph

"Indeed. So - need you a cowboy romance or two?"

A blush "Truth to tell ah.. Cadman knows how to spin a tale...he's got one about a raider burning a castle, then stumbling into a farm girl... and they fight... and.. uhm" yup. Blush.

A tut. "One second..."

Oh, those marvelous hidden shelves... she slides back a wall and skims her haul.

"Okay, there's book shelf behind the wall? I didn't even see a seam"

"Oh, my neighbor and Miriam worked on it..."

"Amazing." Clem says "We could learn a few things. Mmm Oh... Mara got this auto mulcher for leaves and compost....something to behold."

"I think it is good, you having some non-trolls in the mix..."

"Mayhaps it shall dissuade the dragon?"

"Perhaps. Irony that it might make us 'less a lodge' and thus less appealing, but I don't think so."

"I would rather not see the Farm targeted. Nor Rivervale, in truth."

"Aye, me too. Good folk. But wishing won't make it so , not even for us."

"No."

"But I think you...."

Tapppity 1122 is sending a message

even as Clem is talking. "You might be onto something regarding let the non trolls do their thing"

She sits up ramrod straight. "Clementine, I must needs go..."

"My Library is being disturbed."

Clem rises "Anyway I can help?"

"well, Earl is my wayfarer, usually..."

"Right." She leans out 'Earl.. girl time over... get over here and pop your lady to ER's library."

Earl comes up and peeks in, "Girls only, but then someone needs transport mmmph."

Clem taps her foot "I haven't bossed you around in over a month. This gives me an excuse."

Then Clem says to Zara, "if that's okay with you? He's yours to boss now I know"

A soft chuff.

Earl leans over, and kisses zara on the lips and... Zara vanishes. Only to reappear around the corner of the library so she can choose to reveal herself or not.

He knows her so well... choices she appreciates

"Mmm so, not going with her?" Clem says.

"I'd make too much noise and give her away. More fun for her this way. I'll join in a bit"

"mmm Earl... she needs some quiet friends here." Clem suggests

"Pardon?" he says "She's got me."

"Oh Earl..girls are... " Clem sits him down to explain