#earthrunes

The chimera likes her anyway tail wagging

"the kid, Catneir, Catir? She called me a liar."

"Caitir. Why did she call you a liar?"

"Catir," She says making sure she's got it, then admits, "Probably because I did. I put on my best game face, the sort I use for my really convincing lies 'Never touch the stuff' 'you were fantastic, baby' and 'Why thank you I love the party' and so on. I'm not claiming to be mati hari, but I can lie. She asked me if she was safe, I told her she was she was safer than anywhere else. Then she asked about YOUR safety, especially if you left, seemed protective of you. I told her you were 'perfectly safe' or something like that, and she called me a liar. Then covered her mouth and apologized kinda with a 'but you did lie. You don't think she's that safe, not really'."

"...well. Huh. Might be house, already." She flicks her wings. "But maybe I can reassure you - I'm not helpless. And Cora's the important one, here."

"yeah, either I didn't lie as well as I thought, the girl makes fast accusations to a lot of folks, or she might just be a Gwyd," As for the rest, a smirk, "Odd. Coradel seems to think you're pretty important too. And August, and Magnus, and frankly I think our future baroness is just a bit territorial about folks she cares about. Lionesses are bitchy like that, I say that as a member of the House. "

"Well. I'm going to try to do right by Earth Runes, but..." She shrugs. "I also have people to do right by, and Cora's one of them."

"Geeze, you looked so much more like her when you said that."

"It's the hair." She laughs. "You know, as a fledge, I was pegged Fiona - right? So let's not pigeonhole young Cait yet."

"Fair point, but I'd wager money on it" She smiles, "Friendly little bet, say a hundred bucks says she's Gwydion?"

"That's richer than I can afford... especially since I suspect I'd lose that one."

"Oh, right" She blushes, "Sorry, I landed in a well to do, okay, obscenely wealthy family. So I might take things for granted. Hey, would you be offended if I offered you some money to buy Catir toys? No kid should be giftless on Yule."

"If I am allowed out of this hold... August is due in soon, but I have toys to get to Firnost, too."

"Oh heck,for that we should be able to just give you an escort." A pause, "Uhm, is it true that you and Dame Jennette are hitting it off?" Curiously

The sidhe blushes. "Um. Well, she's been very good company, yes..."

(And speak of the ... devil?) Here comes Sir Truthbranch now, moving at a fast clip and with an intent expression focused down the hall.

"I'd call her a friend, certainly."

"Wuff" Wag wag as Thistlesnort races towards August to sniff him, make sure he's him. He looks back at the archer and wags to let her know he checks out

August stumbles, avoiding the log-on-paws just barely... he starts to recriminate with the chimera but then recognizes him. "Oh, hey there buddy...." He stops and pats, but briefly, then looks around. "Where's... Oh! Hi."

"Hey, Aug. Welcome back from the land of finals?"

"Thanks, Thistlensnort," The Fiona eyes August admiringly. The fact he's oathbroken and wrong is kind of a turn on. But he belongs to another house sister....which is also kind of a turn on, and very very wrong "Sir August. How goes?"

He pops up, with a sunny grin. "Yes. Hi." He folds Derynwydd into a hug. "Good to see you."

A tight hug back. "Likewise. Wait until you see the house!"

"Sorry I haven't been there. Or here."

"Listen, I need your help with the car and all. And. Ah. Can you meet my parents?"

"Well, you said school focus... here's hoping my finals don't eat me alive come spring..."

A flick. "Parents? I... sure?"

"Prove I'm an okay housemate? I can keep quiet about, you know, everything..."

"Sorry, I know about yours but... well, it would be weird if I didn't invite you and... remember they've made some assumptions about us." A little embarrassed, and distracted.

"I think three..." the Fiona starts to say, then thistlesnort barks, "Pardon, four is a crowd here"

"So see you guys later" She waves

"Seeya, Leo..."

"A pleasure to see you again, Dame Leonora." He offers her a bow.

"I mean, you think they'd be okay with you living with someone like me? They're religious, right?"

"Ah. Well. From what I gather they think.. we're... ah."

She bows back to August, "You too, sir." Then to Sparrow, "thanks again for letting us use your face as bait." She waves and walks off, Thistlesnort coming behind.

"... your .... face...." He looks at Derynwydd with a question writ LARGE.

"They think we're a couple? Oh, jeez. Okay. But I don't know is living with a lesbian would help make it better...."

"Oh. For Thallain hunting."

"OH! August, we found one of my stars!"

"Remember, Dad asked 'which redhead....'" He mumbles, glancing down the hall. "You did? One of the Steadfast? Oh, that's Great!!!" He grins.

"Well. I can keep that... that part quiet, if it would help." An uncomfortable fidget, a flash of... shame? "Whatever you like, okay?"

"And yes! Caitir. She's young, a childling. Some thallain had her, but we got her back safe."

"Look, I'm going to introduce you, tell them you're part of my life now, and .... we'll go. Ok?" He takes her hands. "Thing is... -that- makes sense to them. Leaving my previous plans, moving to .. you know, -Missouri-.... right? It makes sense to them that I'd do that for someone I... I love."

"We can support them with this, right?"

"...Right." She bites on her bottom lip and nods.

"You ok with this?" Seriously.

She nods, wings shifting softly. "Sure."

"Ok. I trust you on this. And... " He hugs her again. "Caitir. Good. Two of five, right? We'll find the rest."

"Yes, we will."