#elsewhere

"I.. I am glad it has proven popular, aye..."

"It has proven to be the stuff of dreams. Deliciously lascivious dreams, dreams of daring and desire and scandalous risk." A sip. "I very much approve of it."

Zara smiles. "I am glad it pleased. Books should.. should create a space for the soul to live apart, if only for a time."

"Oh, yes, that's very well said." A little toast with her drink. "But if that time is forgotten, then doesn't the soul suffer?" She sighs. "I tried to convince him to do otherwise, but he refused."

Oh, she does look hurt.

"He won't like it anyways."

"That is why he has suffered to read it tonight."

"Oh, I suspect that isn't it. Not at all." She sips again. "I suspect...he might like it more than he's comfortable to admit."

"I know not. I did not expect it to take off quite this much..."

"No?"

"I mean, I certainly hoped it would amuse, aye. But I did not expect so much... response?"

A smile, and she trades her empty glass for a refreshed one from Jack. "I certainly felt a response when I read it."

"There are other copies, not just the library's..."

"And Vashti and Shalimar are.. well..." A nod at Vicar and Hunter on the dance floor.

"Oh, yes, they're brilliant tonight. Quite the reinterpretation. And I know there are other copies, but even so I had to exhort the seer to loan me his copy, which is now the one in my truelove's hands."

"And it's selling..."

A touch of disbelief.

"Oh, it is indeed! I wonder..." she says idly "...just how much money the author has made off of this?"

A sip. "Certainly must be a pleasant little nest egg."

"Not so much as you would think. First time authors don't command high royalties..."

"Oh? Well, then I imagine Talia Amur's agent will be eager for her to write a second one. And a third. I wonder if she will pursue more stories with the same characters?"

"Oh, when the Vicar collects his fiance from across the sea - she's an American, aye? And..." She falters. "Ah..."

An interested look. "You seem to have had some previews." A slightly victorious grin that she hides in her next sip.

"Well.. I.. that is... Miss Gold, the authoress, she's a friend of mine. She publishes through the same house, and has.. has much to say over tea..."

She levels a look, the same that she might have leveled at Magnus when he was young and trying to get away with an untruth about mischief.

"Miss Gold? I see."

"Oh, you don't know Natalie Gold? THAT should be addressed, she's wonderful... and, in truth, a satyress! She can be.. ah.. steamy. Certainly enough to delight a Fiona."

"It's a pen name, of course, but Miss Natira is a delight. Very well-mannered."

Bemused. "Well, perhaps I shall. In the morning. If I recall, that is. But for tonight, there is still enjoyment to be had. And..." a sigh "...I suppose a certain Baron is enjoying in his own way. In solitude. In his study. Reading."

"Perhaps you should go to him?"

"Oh, I will, later. But I need to be present for our people, you see. Still...if anyone wished to know his true opinion about the book, they'd have to speak with him tonight, or lose the chance and wonder hereafter." She raises her glass. "Enjoy the mists." And she moves into the crowd of dancing grotesques and phantasms.

A soft sigh. And if Cora looks back, the sluagh is gone.

She does look back after a few moments. And smiles. Then returns her attention to the crowd.