#anywhere

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August feels a bit out of place here. This is pent house apartment buildings. He has the code he needs to get inside, but the doorman still gives him an eye.

With a quiet confidance born of being not-of-this-world, August heads up to Leonora's apartments.

the door opens, and she sees Leonora, dressed rather nicely, obviously having come in from something fancy, "Sir August, please, come in. It's not a hold, but it's half a top floor and that aint' nothing"

He smiles gently. "Hello. Thank you." He steps in.

"It is a beautiful home." Politely.

Fortunately, living with Coradel and being her manor has braced him for the 'WHAM' that Luxury can bring. Her tastes are different to be sure, but almost everything here screams money. Why even Thistlesnort's dog bed looks like it could feed family for a month ...then again, it has a vibrating massage option.

"Oh this? This is...well, not sure it's home, but thank you," She says, "Mind if I take my shoes off? After patrol, I ended up going to this event with dad. You know, 'her' dad, my host's. He's a good man. I want to do right by him, and the had this function and... while some of the folks were a bit chilly it also did help his company." Then she winces, "And I'm supposed to offer you a drink or something. Pardon, Delores and her crew have spoiled me all over again. Keep expecting a boggan to be shoing me away from trays."

"I'm fine." Kindly

"What brings you? It's not trouble at the hold, or you'd have texted... I assume?"

"I, ah, I'd like to talk. I'm not sure how to start, actually.... I guess I'd like to see how you are, and what your, ah, expectations are."

"Now. Ah. After."

"Oh? Well, " She sits down and cross her legs, the better to take her heels off, "August, you had two women at once and both of us were feeling good. I would say you surpasseed expectations."

He clears his throat. "Ah, no, I meant... what are your expectations now?"

"RIGHT now? Whew, I don't know, I'm a little bushed, might not give you the best performance I could and I'm not sure that's fair to you"

Then, "Oh..."

Ok, she got a blush out of him.

"Why does that always feel like such a victory with you I wonder? I must be petty" A sigh, then "August.. I like you, a lot. You've always been kind, with just that hint of something to keep you interesting to me. And you still are interesting and I still like you. I know you are sworn to Coradel ,and she to you, so... how do I say this? I'm kind of watching to see what you want."

He nods and takes a seat across from her. "Ok."

He pauses to think and says. "The truth of the situation is that, right now... I can't imagine how I'd be able to honorably provide you the attention you deserve. " With some regret and apology.

"If I'm not here, with Coradel, I'm in Kansas City and at school. I don't know when I'm moving closer, and even then.... here with Coradel."

She tilts her head

"August, I always knew Coradel came first and Sparrow and your school after that, and then, maybe a distant.. I don't know, sixth, there is me." She looks at him, "There's no dishonor in the honesty you're showing. But it's not something you have to provide. That..kind of takes the fun out of it if it because just chore don't you think?"

A fast grins flashes over his face. "It wasn't a chore."

"It was... amazing." Quietly, shyly.

"Okay, not feeling as tired when you say that" She glows with a smile "August. Uhm. look. I don't expect us to have as much time for each other as we might like, but unless you want to cut it off, I'm fine with what we can have..now and then."

He reflects for a quiet moment. "I suppose... I'm not naturally spontaneous."

"I know . I've been training with you and Bachdion remember? You..you're actually pretty amazing. You work so hard to make her happy and... if she knew? She'd ...probably tremble with delight and more. Look, I know you have trouble with one question, but I'm goig to ask it anyway. What would you WANT to be the set up between us? Go ahead and say."

He shakes his head. "Leonora, I honestly have -no- idea how to begin, or even where to start thinking about it."

"Would it help if I made multiple choice list? I'm not joking. Sometimes narrowing options helps us sort what we really do want."

August nods. "Franklin's pros and cons lists." He shrugs. "Sure."

"Franklin? Uhm okay. Not pro and con, but just options. I'll let you sort out the pros and cons."

"A) We got back to just friends. I respect you and if it' that much easier for you, so be it. I will get frustrated though. You were. ah, well trained and I like you"

He blushes again.

"Th...thank you."

"B) " She continues...

"We become irregular friends with benefits. We meet now and then in those rare times where we both have time and can enjoy a little romp in the hay. It might be more... rushed ...but hey. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"

He clears his throat and nods understanding.

"And.C... you inform me you wish me to be your mistress, your courtesian, your lady on the side, prized below your trueheart, but above other women when it comes to desire. As I'm rich, I don't think you'll need to make me 'comfortable'" Wryly, "But on nights you need, I'm there, and we plan a bit more. Less 'quick in the alcove while we can' more... me in long gowns and us sharing wine in Italy since Coradel is busy at a baron only meeting. After which we enjoy each other making love by a beach. Sounds classier because it is, but three is a stigma involved with it in the mortal world if it becomes discovered. Let me assure you, I don't care about that last."

"So.. preferences?"

His mouth hangs open. "Ahhhh...." clearly , this last description was not one he had exactly foreseen.

"Oh, if I find My trueheart, whatever we decide now gets ah..reconsidered, understand? Love is.. as you know, a whole nother level over sexual attraction and desire."

"Of cpurse!" He is -quick- to assure. "I, ah, wow....." he trails off into furrow-browed thought.

"May I ask a question that could impact things, first?"

"Surely, better to ask it first if it WILL impact things"

"Are you and Coradel going to be lovers?"

"that's.. up to you and Coradel I think. I like her, August. She's a force in the sheets. And there is a kind of thril at having your boss" A wink, "But.." More sober, "Unless you are both on board with me being with either of you it's not going to happen. I mean, if one of you wants me, and the other doesn't...but doesn't mind me with the other, that's fine- whoever's loss. If one of you wants me and the other doesn't, and DOES mind? then I am not getting in the middle of that. I don't know what you guys have agreed to, but frankly, I will not cause cracks in the beautiful thing I'm seeing you two have. It's..it's a betrayal of all that's GOOD in my House. Does that make sense?"

He nods. "It does, absolutely. Coradel wants you and I to have each other, if it is something you and I want." He clears his throat. "She said, 'we'll see' regarding the two of you."

"Ha! Cocky wench" A smile though then, "August, do you want her and I to.. uhm.. be togethr too? or.. maybe I'm reading you wrong"

"I.... it was... beautiful. To see, and to be part of." Softly, with pink cheeks. "I want her to be supported. Happy." He pauses and says with real sorrow "Sometimes the only way I can see to do that is to put someone else in my place." Then, introspectively "I think.... I would not mind as much if it were you...."