Evelyn hides under Echo's chair

Characters in this scene: Evelyn, Echo

There wasn't really any way to be sure how or why Evelyn had ended up there. But she had very, very definitely curled up under Elfrida's chair, with very little warning. She'd just walked into the library, walked over, and... ended up under the chair.

She at least didn't seem nervous of Elfrida anymore.

Elfrida put his pen down and stood up before going down on one knee to better see Evelyn. "Are you okay, Evelyn? What's happened?"

The silence sounded embarrassed. After a pause, she said, "Uh. Not. Not much, thinking about it. I might have overreacted." For a moment she shifts, as if to get out from under the chair. Then she curled back up. "It feels a little stupid, thinking about it."

"It seems to have made you want to hide. Even if you did overreact I believe it's better to check, wouldn't you agree? I said I'd keep you safe and I intend to do that, please will you let me help?"

"It's just. There's several people on OMO who remind me of things you've said. And now there's another one. And they remind of me of Ea - Ead -" Evelyn struggles over the pronunciation for a moment, before giving up with a sigh. "Of Edith. And its just. Concerning? But you're safe. I think."

"Oh, you met Eadgyð. Was that at Sanctuary? I should be safe. What were they called? I might recognise it."

"Sti -" Evelyn struggles again. "Isern. Something about an Isern. I don't know how to say the first word. Also Bright Resident, but that was longer ago. Very different."

"Isern, that's interesting, although I couldn't say that I know Bright Resident. Remember what I told you about the Trendel?"

"... Not really." Evelyn's voice is very small.

"Hmm. That's fine, I don't think I've given you the guide yet." Elfrida steps away for a moment and returns with a small leather bound tome imprinted with a circle of leaves in silver on the front. "The Trendel's our circle. It was founded some five hundred and ninety years ago by a group of five, which include me, Eadgyð - or glæs -, Isern - which means iron -, Seolfor and Gold. I'd suspect that'd be the Isern you heard of, Edith and I suggested that he join. Try to read at least some of our history, you are a part of it now after all, this copy's for you now."

Evelyn takes the tome carefully, and hugs it to her chest. "Glass sounds like an odd one out."

"In a way she is. In a way we each are."

"Are they - I don't -" Evelyn stumbles over her words. Her shoulders slump a bit. "You'll keep me safe, right?" She watches Elfrida, nervous. Her eyes are blue, not a trace of amber.

Elfrida reaches out and taps Evelyn's shoulder. "Of course I will, to the best of my ability and the extent of my power. I said it before and I'll say it again, should you want me to."

"No, I... I trust you." Evelyn ducks her head. "I don't think I'd have come down here if I hadn't. Sorry. Just. A bit on edge at the moment."

"You're allowed to be on edge but if there's anything I could do to help a little just say. There's a Circle meeting nearing so you could meet them properly then if you'd be up for that."

"I don't... I don't think you can help with that more than you already do. But you help a lot." Evelyn looks at Elfrida, uncertain. "I could... try and meet them? I'm not sure how well I'd do. I'm not exactly charming. And Edith and Isern are... confusing. If the pattern holds so are the others."

"Well, learning about things can help make them less confusing. Would you like to?"

"That... might help, yes. Please."

"Maybe we could start by getting you out from under that chair." Elfrida says, smiling.