#fenixtj

He considers "I wonder if I could get a computer for her to change? That's pretty advanced. Would burn more?"

Nose-wrinkle.

"That's gotta be a lot of glamour, if it's all she's running on." And she also looks puzzled. "A computer?"

"Feh. No. Wood."

"If we had time, I'd ask Miss Tove to carve something... give it a feel of the sea, of Nordic runes, of Fiona, and of home..." A frown. "But it would just get destroyed."

"Birch. Birch wood is for rebirth."

"Birch ..yeah" A nod

"And there is power in destruction, nu?"

"I think we got this" Zane says somberly "But the wood should be complex, a puzzle box would be great. Oh doh!" He says "The Co-Operative"

"I wonder if they have someone who works in wood there?"

"Presumably."

"If we wish a box.. mayhaps three. Birch, Cedar and Oak."

"Drift wood?"

"More than one, split the energy"

She offers.

"Oak is... strength, is self, is of the sea - and of Liam."

"Cedar, too, cleanses. And holds memories - Siv must needs reconnect with herself."

She looks puzzled at that. Oak and the sea.

"Ships are made of oak."

"Ah." A nod. Way out of her depth.

Zane nods "With the right marks of.." He laughs "Oh that's funny"

Eyebrow.

"Put the emblem of the goat on the altar on the side of the box" A smile "The Scape Goat takes the burden"

"And thus, it takes on the sins"

"Ah! Zane, I do quite like you."

"Thanks, Zara" He smiles humbly "I don't mind being second best magician when you're in the room"

"And we both pale when we sit in study, nu?" A shrug.

A sigh "Yeah"

"So... what's the next step? Do we need more glamour, or would it help? Where is this co-op? Who gets to talk to the countess?"

"Well, I could go to the co-op, I've some experience with nockers..."

"Though it may be worth seeking out this... Tove? One who knows and loves Siv?"

"Tove is amazing.. she's a skald, she and her dad both as well as a wood owrker" A pondering "okay buy the boxes from the Co Op,ask tove to do a quick etch of a scape goat on each?"

"They both live at River Vale, or Siv did, but I don't know if they were close. She is amazing, though."

"The more care that goes into this.. the more likely it will succeed."

"But Zane also says that we need to work fast."

"Aye. Let me go to the co-op. I will obtain a suitable box."

"Thank you" Zane says

--------

Zara actually had a good time. Haggling was fierce, insults taken when there was none, insults given for fun.. And fine items galore! Such amazing space related ventures.

And even the low tech hand crafted items were a delight!

And yes, they had boxes, puzzle boxes meant for children, and they had wooden versions.

Perfect!

Zara returns to Fenix in triumph - she found one with the three most important woods, along with ash and thorn.

THey even threw in a broom on the deal

She finds Zane "You got the box... oh.. we don't need a broom" He says

"Tis for me. I bargained."

"OH" He looks it over "Okay, that's pretty nice"

“I hope it didn’t cost too much?”

Commenting, “I may be in debt to a couple pooka and hope that doesn’t end up costing me too much dignity.”