#earthrunes

"Yes." A wry grin, then she sighs and finds a place to sit again. "The last time we spoke, he...he wants me to be more than I can promise to be. I love him, Magnus...but that word means something very different to him than it does to me, I think. And...we haven't spoken about that exactly."

"that's hard. " he sits next to her, "How do you want your relationship , your love to be with him? What do you want agreed? If you could tell him?"

She frowns, thinking. "I want to be with him...but my physical passions, why must they be restrained, limited? "

"that's a hard call. I think the answer is because you're worried it would hurt him," He says gently, "You two were married in the before time, but neither of you is going to remember what the restraints were. In this life? he's grown up with certain values."

"I can tell you what Claire and my agreement is?"

"Yes? I have been wondering...."

"Well, what happens on Samhain stays on Samhain. There are just too many variables. And, besides that, twice a year, we have a week break where we ah.." He blushes "go off on our own. To do whatever we want wwhich does not have to but can include sex with others. We are not allowed to talk to each other about what happened that week, even if is just poker games."

She thinks about it. "I...don't know if he could agree to that. Or...he might agree, but then not be able to see it through."

"He sometimes tries to do that which he cannot."

"that way we can assume what we like. Oh, we also have a 'top 3 exceptions list'. Let's say if she ever meets High King David and Faerlyth is game, she gets to catch him in the 'Righ'."

wryly

"Yes, what works for us, may not work for others. Honestly? the last 'week' I had off? I didn't even fool around with another woman. I went shopping for a gift for Claire and delving around for a treasure. So there you go."

A bit of a chuckle at the David and Faerlyth comment, then a startled look at the confession. "Really, Magnus? I...I confess I'm surprised. I thought you were far more eager to play far and wide than that."

"Oh, I won't pretend complete Fidelity, but ultimately? What can any other woman offer me, even physically, that Claire can't already? We are fae. If we wish to look different, play parts and roles, we can work the magic. A bit of Chronos to extend a momet, chicanery to fool the senses. Even the exchange of raw glamour, passing it back and forth like lovers seeking to share oxygen, can be done."

"Mm." She nods appreciatively. "You two are so well suited."

"And probably talking more freely about it than I should," he laughs "But yes, thank you."

"Well, I certainly don't mind. I doubt that she would, either. It is something to consider, though."

"Try to learn a few arts for the pleasure they can bring. I'm sure an Eiluned would think that was a wrong priority but we aren't eiluned."

"We most certainly are not." She smiles. "Thank you, Magnus. We're certainly not lacking for enjoyment, but....yes," Somewhat reassured.

A nod, "I have had many lives, so maybe that gives me some perspective even if most of them are vague. But Love is a powerful thing, and that's a constant. You two may find your way to express it that's the best chance for both your happiness."

"Perhaps." She looks at him. "How was that done, August. The changeling way. How did you make that choice?"

"I don't think I had a choice at all...the gates were closed. I was on the wrong side of things and ...had to take a body, like an Arcadian sidhe. But when that life ended, there was no arcadia to go to.. so there was.." He pauses, "I think the Liams taught me."

"The Liams?"

"Some of them, the Scathach too, they were the ones who stayed in greater numbers. The Scathach most of all. They went the changeling way along with the commoners. And for their trouble, some were hunted by furious kithain who saw all sidhe as the same. Not all comoners of course. Some were true sources of haven."

She thinks about this, nods. "How many lives, do you think?" A smile. "You are so very much older than I am, my son."

A laugh "In a way I am. But who knows ? There was no 'once a century' pattern.

"

A long pause, then a sigh and she stands. "I must try to call August again. And Sparrow."

"And I need to find that girl." He nods rising, "Good talking to you. Don't worry, all will be well."

She gives him a smile and a hug. "Thank you. Please...call me, often, and let me know. Oh...damn, I'll have to call Chloe's parents." And she steps away to tend to tedious phone calls. ((Gone))

Magnus watches her go, then turns to begin the hunt. "I better be quick, or Sis will go nuts over this." (GONE)