#earthrunes

Magnus whispers something to Shalimar

Sparrow quietly slips away.

Shalimar looks at Sparrow and waggles his eyebrows.

Only to find, "She's scampered off. So she has!" He follows, Monty Pythoning

Coradel looks to August. "What?"

"Nothing." Mildly. "Vince, could I have some water?"

"CLaire and I will have drinks," Magnussays "Something fruffy, and whiskey straight"

He obliges willingly - soda water with lime for the Liam, a few fingers of whiskey for Magnus, and a cocktail for the ladies that he presents as a 'Red Lion' - gin, cognac, lemon and orange juices, appeasing requests both for fruity and strong.

"Great," Clare takes the whisky, and hands the cock tail to her man. "Enjoy fruffy."

August drinks his water, and then rises. "If you'll excuse me?" to Coradel "I have, ah, I have some... things. Since I'm feeling better?"

"Oh. Okay, sure. Say goodbye before you leave?"

"Oh yes, that..." bachdion nods "Pardon me all" And he heads out with August when he's ready

"Of course." Gently. He takes her hand, holding it for a moment.

And then, completely unrelated to anything else at all, he nods to those present and departs.

A Cheshire grin spreads across his face at Clare's switcharoo as he pours himself another bloody Caesar, and then pauses as he watches August exit. He looks as though he would follow, but then gives his head a little shake, frowning slightly to himself.

She squeezes his hand...and then gives a curious look as he and Bachdion depart at the same time...then she grins a bit as she sips her drink.

"Why the frown, Whiskers?"

When he looks up again, he smooths the look into a smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I am still quite the newcomer to your territory, Lioness. I did not mean to...." A pause as he gives a small shrug. "Rather, I hope it may be clear, that one needn't have a -forked- tail to play devil's advocate."

"Come sit with me, my friend." She gestures to a seat at the table.

He slides over to take a seat next to Coradel, his tail held in one hand as he examines it, with a rather vain air, checking for a forked tip.

She watches the tail inspection with quiet amusement, then murmurs, "Was last night fun?"

"Which part? Seeing the Lady of the hold endure indignities with grace? Watching the youth stumble through the first few awkward steps of a dance that someday they will be thrilled to waltz through, yet now, so exciting and new? The opportunity to help someone forget her troubles and live her dreams for a night?"

He flops his head over onto one of Coradel's hands on the table, nudging for a scratch.

"Hated it."

Jack coughs "Not to intrude, but Vince? You have to pick up that shipment. We're about out of stock after Carnival."

He blinks, then eyes widen. "Oh, the cordials? You're right. I don't trust those ham-handed UPS thugs to sling the boxes around, they might crack the decanters. Pardon me." Drawing his head away from the lady with an air of obvious regret, he prances out the door.

She scritches obligingly, until Jack interrupts.

A fond smile as he goes, then she looks to Jack. "So...satisfied with that outcome, my friend?"

"He hasn't set fire to the place yet" Jack shrugs, "And he knows his way around a keg. Misunderstanding or not, it worked out. I haven't had this much free time in while." Jack joins her, "I'm sorry if I came across as a ... well, stick in the ass type. I just... well old timers get used to things"

"I respect that. Old ways can be important. But thank you for being flexible in considering...an adjustment."

"Out of her blood . Pan take me sideways, never heard the like"

"I was so certain it was something else...." She sips thoughtfully, then shakes her head with a chuckle. "Well...I must bear this in mind for Beltaine."

"Price of me being a grump, at least another part... it's easier for you to believe that the Dreaming is so strong that wishing is..." A smile, "It's a good thing you believe the best in this world, despite what the Ailil might say. Your sense of wonder is a strength."

"That sounds almost condescending, my dear Jack...but I will take it as a compliment." Sip.

"As you swing a pretty mean sword, I'm glad." He smirks

A smirk in return. "And I'm glad Vince is doing well in your Tavern. You are happy with him as an assistant?"

"Don't tell him so, but yeah. I don't understand half of what he says, I honestly think he's trisexual, as in he'll try anything, so I don't know he gets work done, and yes I realize as a satyr that's hypocritical, but ... somehow he finds the time."

"I was going to say, that's a surprising quality for one of your kith to criticize. Is that...jealousy?" It's not so much a tease as concern.

"Envy maybe. I don't want to take it from him" A wink 'He's alright"

"He is." She nods. A pause, then, "Are you?"

"I'm old not dead. " He assures.

A chuckle. "Let's keep it that way." She finishes the drink and sets down her empty.

"Thank you, Jack. Well...I think I should go for a ride..." she stands, and flinches oh so slightly. "Or perhaps simply a walk. I'll see you later."

And she makes her way out of the tavern.

"Always a pleasure" He watches her go

Then contemplates, "Lucky horse"

(End Scene)