#rivervale_lodge

Siv says then "Oh wait, you alrady thought of that"

Pink!

"Oh, you.uhm. .Earl" A smile "Well, that seems wonderful"

"But expensive. And I know he's worried."

"And you're worried about him, of course" Siv nods, "I... i'm not always worldly, Zara. But if he wants this, and you want this, and you both recognize it will be work. Then maybe you should try? It might fail, but don't you think you'd kick yourselves if you gave up before you started?"

"Truth."

"I wish I could help" she ponders "not sure how though"

She shrugs. "Is what it is. I might need to get a job."

"You'll want something quiet maybe. Preferably with books I would guess. "

A happy sigh and she nods. "Maybe I could work in the library there..."

"I fear it may lead to neglecting Earth Runes, though."

"Are you getting paid for what you do in Earth runes?"

"No?"

"No dross, no spot by the fire? nothing?" Siv taps her foot

"Well, I'm sure I could stay by the fire if I asked. And I have a room there."

"But I am not sworn. I will not kneel."

"A room you almost never use." She says 'this isn't about kneeling, This is about honorable solutions and earned wages. I doubt Earth Runes wants to lose your aid. Sworn or not. You want to help with the library at least a little. Doesn't seem unreasonble to me to ask if they would pay you for it, minium wage at least?

"

She frowns. "I don't... I don't want to ask that..."

"why not? it's not begging, nor kneeling. Tis a fairly earned consideration. You're working for it aren't you? So how is it dishonorable to ask?"

"I do not like begging."

"And August is there, they don't need me..."

"Then why didn't August do it?"

"Because I wanted to."

"How'd you find out about it at all then?"

"Well, August is my friend. He's from the Hollow..."

"Right, So August, who is from Earth Runes and IS bound for it, askeed for your expeertise. You gave it, made that library what iti s, to the benefit of the Earth Runes hold... how did you not earn fair wages gain?"

Siv seems perplexed

"Because I will not be a servant."

"You're not a servant, you're an expert. You'rea master craftsman"

"err Craftswoman"

"Your Uncles are nockers right? Are they 'servants'?"

"They are not, of course not."

"Then I'm at a loss why you'd think you were a beggar with a hat in your hand or a maid with a duster for that matter when you've 'built' a thing and maintained it like a fine education and entertainment machine?" Siv says

"Because I can't do it retroactively."

"It will come across as desperate, and I am not. I am her equal."

"Oh" Siv says "So..pride then" the trolless ponders "I suppose I can't cast stones there. But her being Fiona you'd think she'd understand doing things for love and I still don't see it as anything to be ashamed of when you earned it. "

"Fine - it is pride. But I am allowed it."

"You are" She concedes

"And I am sorry if I came accross as lecuturing. I just hate to see a friend cheated is all"

"I appreciate the concern, but it's.. fine, aye? I'll handle it."

"So...w ho will be taking over the library then?"

Her shoulders droop. "August, I guess."

Siv looks at her new friend "Would you take money from me then? If I could get some"

Flustered. "I don't need money!"

"Sorry." she says "Seem to be stepping on my own tongue here. Okay. So, Vassar, what's it like? Good library?"

"Wonderful library!"

"well, I don't know you as well as some but clearly that's must"

"It is, truth."

"There ar eother schools that are nice, but they're so far from my family... I already feel like I am leaving everyone behind."