#earthrunes

He scratches down on his note pad something.

"Sir?" A swallow. "Sir, what... can I help you?"

"Well, for your lessons, I need a demonstration partner, remember? So I wanted one that would appeal to you. Not 'meh' not 'oh whatever', etc. Actually appeal. Say," A thought occurs, "You are good friends with ..what is her name again?Zena? No... Miss Zara. yes. Do slaugh lasses ...well, you know?"

"No." Solid and immovable.

A rock.

"no worries, they're not everyone's type" He makes another note

August looks... miserable.

"Now, you wanted to know more about minor uses of pain, so we'll find a willing participant there..." Scribble scribble "to show you safe methods. Are we also talking bondage?"

Scribble scribble

A swallow and a tentative answer. "Yes."

"Okay, well, maybe we should rule out trolls for sure, they need a lot of leg room for the board." Scribble scribble

"Sir?"

"Yes?" he says stopping

"What.... what are we... doing?"

"I thought i told you? Looking for a replacement to take up the slack for Leonora. That's why I'm asking for preferences and so on"

"Take up...where is she...Ah... ok?"

"She's fine." he says "I told you, ' I may need a new assistant as Leonora has some duties, so I've been putting out feelers"'

A swallow. "Ok."

A pause, "Oh, would lie a lady that looks like Leonora? Or perhaps a pure blonde this time? You'd hardly be the first fellow to want one of every flavor so to speak? Blonde, Brunette, Redhead... just to look at for two of those in your case, spice of life and all that"

He looks away from the ... options. 'No...."

"Fair enough" Makes another note

"Sir, I wish no ...... alternatives. Just..."

The satyr pauses, "August, she's a knight. she's going to have duties.'

"Fair enough. I can... no, I mean... there is no rush."

"Good I.." He pause quirks his head, "August, is this just that you'd feel...uncomfortable with a new woman helping?"

"Maybe?"

"Why don't you tell me what is the problem if there is one?"

"And please, try not to be nebulous."

"I... Don't know..."

Bachdion mutters something in Greek

And he sighs, then says in English "August, why don't we skip class today. "

"Are... are you sure?"

For a moment he looks tempted to hit August with the note pad, then calmly, "I think it's for the best."

"Yes... yes sir."

"And it's partially my fault. I started late, got caugght up in some... info gathering i thought would move faster. Go on, give your lady a smile"

"Sir? Yessir....."

A smile, "I mean, go have fun, or whatever you'd like to do. Don't worry about me. I'll get this organized."

And August goes to do.....

Once he is gone, the Satyr sighs, "It took nearly a half hour to get him to answer a fucking question. Sweet Pan, take me now."

(End Scene)

**************************

Coradel sits on the dais in the audience chamber and listens to the concerns of those who come to speak.

"How am I supposed to muse my dreamer if she insists on sleeping with him?" "Your ladyship, that's just how I muse." the two sisters each make their claim

A curious look. "If that's how you muse, then why are you doing it to her Dreamer?"

"He likes my musing more" the second says

The first groans "She does this. I find dreamers, and start to muse them ...then just when they're ready, she flirts and ..bam. I never see them again." the first says "how can I keep their interest with her doing that?"

"That matters little," she says to the second, "if she has claim to the Dreamer and has cared well for him. Could it be that you have neither the skill nor patience to muse from the start?"

"I... well, it's easier" the second sister blushes//The first looks relieved, "thank you."

A bit of a smile to the first, and a nod. Then she looks to the second. "Perhaps you'd benefit from further instruction in musing Dreamers? I'm sure we could find a suitable teacher...."

A wince from the second "You mean? Study?"