#anywhere

Later, August has a chat with a rather alarmed individual. IT turned out Leo was in need of sex and a talk.. in that order. We now move to the talk part, in order to preserve Liam sensibilities

Leo rolls on top of August "I felt terrible! I had a knife to Zara's throat, Well, to Cordy's throat actually, which is worse, but WHILE Zara was in her"

August glows a bit from exertion. "But... well, you didn't hurt anyone, after all."

"No but I would have and could have, " She tells him "A bit of a Fiona nightmare, killing two people for the price of one and both friends. Coradel more than Zara, but Zara was nice to me back in my early arrival when I was a bit of an entitled bitch"

August flushes for a different reason "I never saw you in that light."

"Oh I had my moment. " She confesses, "Going to hibernika, starting at the bottom rung there, actually was a good year and a day of lessons"

He smoothes his hands down her shoulders and back "You didn't hurt anyone. It's ok." assuringly.

"Thanks" She IS tense, or was.

Hopefully less so by now.

"I guess it's been bothering me"

"Have you talked to them about it? Coradel and Zara?"

'I apologized to Zara, I suppose I Should to Coradel too. It's her neck after all. I just thought we had a spy with a REALLY good disguise"

August smiles shyly "I would think you'd be able to tell, on some level, if she was not Coradel. Considering."

"Well ahem.. if I had a chance to retaste her.. yes.. but for some reason Cordy was very shy about being tasted" a wink

It takes a beat, but August flushes VERY red. "Ah."

"Well, You know how she tastes..." A pleased look

"And.." A kiss "I shouldn't make you blush but it does cheer me up a bit"

"As did this" She taps his bare chest "Thank you. I needed the talk"

"We, ah, just started talking...."

"Oh we're not done talking. How are you doing? I know you don't like samhain"

"I'm well." but there are faint lines on his brow "Fully healed and Coradel will undertake the matter of the redcap."

She notices the brow, "But your'e troubled still. You saved those mortals. You stopped that slaver. I would think you'd be proud. I'm proud of you"

"Thank you."

"You want to know where she was delivering them to, and if there is just her, or some kind of.. organization, don't you?"

"Yes, of course, I'd like to address those issues; I think the matter is only half-resolved." There's something more, though, in the shadows of his eyes.

"August, you know you can talk to me, right? When something is bothering?" She takes his hand

"I just... I do feel badly that I wasn't. with you, ah, both, in the morning. I had planned to be."

"You were saving mortals. You're a Liam, the BEST Liam, that's what you do. It doesn't make US any less important. My theory is you told us to keep each other warm for your return while you took care of business"

"And then I failed to return."

"The dawn rose while you were still with a heavily wounded prisoner, and two scared mortals."

"Yes."

"That suggests poor planning and decision making."

"I see it as rapid response and success" She strokes him "You have a right to feel how you feel, but when memories are blurred, why assume the negative"

He gives her a rueful smile. "You have seen me in combat."

"I have. You're better than you think you are. You're no Temerity, but who of us is?"

"Indeed." he tucks a lock of her hair back over her ear.

"That said, without knowing how good the cap in, how much a victory by points it was.." She blushes as he tucks her hair just so, "Rather by this. Two mortals are free. You captured their would be slaver rather htan just kill her. And, well, it took bit, but you'e had sex with Coradel and I since then , just in a different order than you expected. I'd say you're a winner August." A grin playful

He offers a troubled smile. "Coradel and I... we agree to wake together. I didn't do that."

"Oh" a kiss on the cheek, "No wonder this bothers you but, here's the thing. You wouldn't have anyway. Couldn't have"

"And not trhough any fault of yours"

A frown. "What do you mean?"

"You would have woken up with Zara," She reminds, "Sure, wearing Coradel's form. Just like I did. I ended up threatening Zara, you'd hate yourself if you did that so it's actually a good thing you didn't end up back in time"

Whereas she's already made him flush, this insight drains the color from his face with dizzying speed.

"Ah." he croaks.

"Yes. No win scenario there" A nod "Would have hurt somebody how ever it went. I'm not religious like you, but I think, maybe you had an angel with you that night looking out for you"

He nods wordlessly.

"And I've spooked you, I'm sorry" She puts a hand over his heart "But you were beating yourself up"

Yes, his heart is beating a little faster; he's spooked. "No... no, I understand. No need to apologize."

"Kay" A light kiss, tender

He kisses her back just as gently.