#datenight

"And you'll need to be quick. When is your ceremony, Cora?"

Magnus looks at Coradel thoughtfully, "And Earl is an odd lad, for a troll, but has some knacks of his own."

"I've been told it's on December 16th."

August breathes in slowly.

"Are you ok, Mister August?" Colton asks

"A few weeks. We can be on guard a few weeks. School doesn't start until January..."

"Yes, thank you Colton."

Magnus takes a long drink.

"The Baron is the one who needs protecting. And he has guards, but more eyes and weapons would always be wise.

"

"Don't think you aren't a target, too. Being in the Dreaming will keep August out of reach - and the way to spook a Fiona is to go after the ones they love."

"Folks often live , briefly, to regret that tactic," Magnus says a bit darkly

Her eyes widen a bit, and she looks to August. A moment, then, "Of course."

He sips his tea.

"Well, I'm not Fiona... but I am not going to let anyone hurt my family while I'm still standing."

"And I'll help," Colton says

"Of course, I'm still hoping to finish the semester so we were thinking to leave soon. Soonest. Get going, get finished.

"

A slow nod. "That...is why you wanted us all here. Not for dessert. Because you're leaving on this quest."

"...oh!" A flick of her wings and she frowns.

"No." Carefully. "The last pieces for this didn't fall into place until after we talked about tonight and dessert and all."

"What he said," Magnus backs August up

((Sorry, got dropped, back now.))

Coradel nods, but is still frowning. "I would prefer to go with you."

"I know." Gently.

"of course you would, " Magnus says.

"So would I if Claire were in danger. But I trust her to be able to handle things. "

She frowns. "That's not fair, Magnus. This isn't about trust."

"I didn't say it was, I was talking about me, any lines or connections draw..." A shrug then a smile

"You want in on the action and hate being sidelined, especially since it affects you," Colton blurts

She looks at the troll a moment, then nods agreement. "In part, yes." She looks back to August. "I also would prefer to share any risk you put yourself in, August."

"But you should stay here," Colton adds

"I understand." Still gentle. "It's the Deep Dreaming. Magnus and I will be fine."

She sighs in response to Colton. "I have to. Until I am sained, I cannot undertake such a quest." A bit of a smirk to August. "You had better be."

"Not just that, " the Squire said, "Your people need you nearby. Even be fore your saining, folks will be counting on you to lead them if the Baron gets too ill or weak to continue. Death means he gets replaced, but if he's just incapacitated? then sained or not most will defer to you. You can't desert them for selfish reasons, not even love. Or the Count will rush in his replacement while the Baron is just 'sick' call him a 'temporary regent' and by pass the whole thing."

August turns and looks at the troll childling.

Magnus winces

Coradel turns to stare silently at Colton.

Colton looks at her with trollish honesty in his eyes and perhaps a bit of cluelessness

After a moment, a nod. "Thank you, squire."

"You're welcome, Lady Coradel." A pause, "I mean, Miss Coradel. I guess? Here."

Another nod. "That would be fine."

A deep breath. "Well, yes. Yes. I have to be here for a few reasons. So...I won't begrudge you this questing...this time." A wry grin to August.

He sets down his cup and crosses to her. "Thank you. If you could come, you would be."

"You..." she pokes a finger against his chest... "...are going to make it up to me."

Magnus smiles.

Colton looks confused and whispers to Sparrow "Why does he have to make it up to her?"

He nods. "If I can." Not without humor.

"Oh, I have some suggestions about how." She smiles and gives him a kiss.

He kisses her back.