#earthrunes

She rubs the back of her neck and shrugs. "Trying to help."

"Not just trying. Helping." A glance after August, then back to her. "Before I go...how was school this week?"

She flashes a smile. "Nice. I got a job in the paint studio."

"It's part time, but the rent at the house isn't too bad..."

A smile in return. "Really? That was quick. And you'll be able to do it with your classes?"

"They said they can schedule around classes... " Her wings flick. "The lady at orientation helped me, said I 'qualified' so..."

"So, qualified to do what, exactly? Is it hard work?"

"Qualified for the money. There's a special fund for student workers. Not hard, not really. I help keep the supplies in order, get stuff prepped for classes."

"Oh! Well, that sounds like a good fit. And your classes themselves are going well so far?"

"I think so?" A nervous fluff, wings shifting. "We just did beginning stuff. I have to draw a self portrait for tuesday... I have a night class, figure drawing..."

"I look forward to seeing what you do, if you're willing to share it."

"There was a model this week! They get paid, like, ten bucks an hour..."

"That doesn't seem like much. But then, I suppose they are not doing much, if you are drawing them. They are staying still, correct?"

She nods. "I might be able to do that, too, for other classes. All you do is stand there. Though sometimes.... Cora, do you ever get people that get way too attached to you?"

"I...I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

She bites on her lower lip. "Like... like when I was at the hotel, I smiled too much at one guy, and he followed me home. The old place, not the new one."

"Or the one parent I talked to, she'd always want to... you know... touch me. My hair, usually. "

She frowns. "He didn't hurt you?"

She shakes her head. "He didn't. He just.... watched."

"Hm. No, it's not something I've really experienced. I mean, with August, certainly, but that's different. Then again, I don't spend much time around mortals."

"It isn't every mortal. Just some get... fascinated, kind of. So I worry that maybe modeling might make that worse? Heaven knows, if August found out I was naked he would freak."

"My real parents would freak, too..."

"Oh, I don't know, it sounds like fun," says the Fiona with a grin. "And August can have his opinions, but you're a grown woman and have a right to do what you want."

"And I'm fairly certain your real parents' opinions aren't any concern of yours any longer."

"Well, it's easy money. And no. I don't talk to them anymore."

...though Sparrow may hear a slight intonation at the word "real"...

"They lost the right to speak to you, as far as I am concerned. Their loss." She takes a breath to shake of the frown. "Well, at any rate...I'm glad you're feeling positive about the classes."

"And the job."

"It should be good, yeah. I like my teachers, and I talked to some classmates, a little."

"Good." She smiles. "Anybody interesting?"

"Mia's in figure drawing and 2-D design with me. She's tiny, like, not even five foot tall but LOUD and hilarious..."

"She has seven brothers - seven!"

"That seems like it would be overwhelming. Might explain the loud, though."

"True. She's fun, though."

"Mortal, kith, or kin?"

"Mortal. She might be a Dreamer - a lot of the students seem like they could be."

"Oooh...you may make some very important connections there, Deryn. Musing potential."

She nods. "But also - a few of them are in Ed, too. So - so maybe I can help them be the right kind of teachers?"

"I wouldn't be at all surprised." A smile. "Now...Deryn, I hope you'll forgive me, but I need to figure out where August got to. The weekends between school weeks will seem very short, and I hope to make the best of them." A mischievous grin.

A bit of color in her cheeks. "Oh... right. Sure. Have fun. I'm going to go crash in that room..."

"Your room, Chancellor. I hope you feel comfortable making it yours." And with that, she's off.

"Well, it is blue...." A tiny smile, and she's off in the other direction.

(end scene)