#earthrunes

"I can do it myself, but a moment yes?"

"Yes. Of course."

She only just keeps herself from pacing.

The man takes a moment to center, waiting for his coughs to ease.

Then swirls a cup and stairs "Piercing veil, will prevail, the chants and light and.." A frown "mm"

"Mm?" She nearly tries to peek over his shoulder at the image in the cup.

"He is hard to find,, but appears to be well. Could do with a bit of time by balefire I think, he's a bit pale, glamour wise. I think wherever he is is shielding itself, but the symbol of Liam is strong. Amusing. I could try to push hard to break it but that might alert them. He's safe though."

OOC: I don't think tattle tale lets you see what he's seeing.

She frowns, but nods. "Safe. Good. That's good." She seems mollified, if not entirely eased. "Thank you."

"I think he's studying now, mmm"

((No, it wouldn't. I'm not saying it was a reasonable impulse on her part! 🙂 ))

That gets a sigh of relief. "That's what he's supposed to be doing, yes. Good."

"I imagine they've simply removed their cellphoens to keep distractions to a minimum' He says "Still, when he gets the chance, definitely invite him here to rest by the bale eh?"

"I don't know if he'll come." Her tone is subdued. "Final examinations."

"Mmm," A nod, "Perhaps I'll send you with a bit of dross in case he needs to cast a cantrip. Though I doubt he's in danger of combat. The students seem kind." A raised brow at something

She notes the expression. "What? What is it?"

"Nothing of import. He's fine though. Do you know when Final exams are done?"

"I think he said...the 22nd? I wish it were sooner," she mutters.

"I can understand." He says, "Patience was never a virtue for wilders, Fiona, or redheads." Deadpan

She gives him a look. "Well...at least I am doing things right, then." A bit of a pout at his teasing.

A smile, thin but sincere, "He's a resourceful man, Coradel. With allies. He'll be able to overcome most threats if threats there be. You have chosen well, if chosen you have."

A flicker of a frown. "He was miserable after he saw you last. Deeply ashamed."

"If you are asking me to apologize , you will find me less than receptive."

"No. No, My Lord. I just...I do not think he thinks of himself as resourceful or effective, right now." A pause. "Maybe, though, the studying has helped. I've been trying to let him focus on that, trying not to distract him."

"Perhaps. If I knew how to manage romance my life would be very different"

She blinks at him. "My Lord?"

"How might it be different?"

"Let us just say that the balance of rule of a fief and rule of a heart is not the province of Eiluned."

She gives him a considering look. "Who was your love?" Yes, perhaps a bit blunt, but she's Fiona, not Eiluned.

"My lady was beautiful, and passionate, and surprising but intense in her kindness. She was warm laughter and cold disdain. She was lilacs and steel cord."

She smiles at that. "She sounds amazing. What happened to her?"

He sighs and looks pained, "She had to go."

"And, the rest doesn't matter."

It's a good thing she's not an Eiluned, actually. That evasion would drive her mad.

She looks at him quietly a few moments. "What would you have done differently?"

"either loved less, or more. I am not sure...which" he clutches at his chest and coughs, "Go on. Sir Magnus will be here soon."

She offers to help him to his chair. "I will send Inish back in to you."

"And Shallimar. Please. "

"Yes, My Lord...of course." And with another deep curtsy, she takes her leave of him. Inish is probably directly outside, and she sends him in. She seeks out Shallimar immediately thereafter.

She finds Shallimar looking..sad? Staring out a window.

"Shallimar." It's a relief to see her friend, and she offers him a hug.

He takes the hug and smiles a bit weakly, "Oh lady, you know Bachdion gets jealous when we couple so. You are well. I heard."

"I am, thank you. And let him be jealous." She gives him a gentle smile back. "How are you?"

"Ah, lady, my liege is young and smells of spring roses. How can I be anything but happy?"

"I know." She takes his hands in hers and holds them sympathetically for a moment before quietly saying, "He needs you. He asked me to send you in to him."

"Ah!" And suddenly Shallimar's smile comes to life, even seeming to reach his eyes "That gloomy gus is ever pestering me to remove the scepter out of his royal pillows. I'll go see what his grincheness requires..."And he tumbles off, a ray of black and silver sunshine

whose mask is perfect

She watches after him with no small amount of admiration for his ability to do that...then goes to meet Magnus. ((Gone for now))

(Pause/Endetc)

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