Kib can't so much flee. He can shriek - he can lurch in the direction of the nearest house and try the door - it's locked. He can amble briskly...
He can break into a run when the snake gains on him and fall flat on his face.
And he can get eaten up.
And it's too bright too bright too bright and he flings his arm over his eyes.
They don't have to transport it, just set it aside clearly and have it in mind as their cargo, assuming Eonwë was accurate.
The bookstore is willing to store them in the back set aside from the stock for a little extra money! The bookstore is so enthusiastic about all this money.
"If there's anything else you want it's probably a good idea to figure it out this trip; if I keep bringing diamonds they'll be less scarce and therefore less valuable. We can go houseplant shopping. If you're going to sleep we should find you a hotel."
Further shopping.
"It's not magic - except when it is, apparently, I wonder how we didn't notice? How hard was that to discover? - and we're not as good at it as you guys. People might hum to themselves, much less often outright sing."
"There are some good singers, but you or Maitimo would both be exceptional quality here and he at least says he's nothing special for an Elf."
Kib laughs. "Okay, I need to go to bed. Things quiet down a lot overnight but you can probably amuse yourself frowning at architecture or something. I'll be up around sunrise-ish."
"Spending money if you see somebody open late for business -" Kib hands him some currency. "- and come find me at my teacher's house when the sun's up."
And Kib goes home to his own bed for the night and soothes small co-prentices who are going to miss him and sleeps.
"It's not nearly as weird here and not in the same way at all. I'll ask the household." And he goes back into his house and comes out with snippets of hair from six people.
"I can ask more people, it's just a little odd when I don't know them well, how many did you want?"