#earthrunes

*** Assume August is brought up to speed?

((Yup!))

........................

The DuBois manor had no signs of Thallian about there...

And it's a new day for Vince, who is in the bar. Bachdion walks in, "A drink, with an aspirin chaser"

He looks up, behind the bar but still surrounded by a messy pile of notes. Before starting on a drink, he carefully moves a slim book out of harms way, though the notes are more messily scooped aside. "Oh? Headache, or hangover?"

"Seriously reconsidering my career as a mentor" As if that explains it

"Oh? Which of the little rascals has you tits-over-teakettle this afternoon?" Pondering the cocktails, and then deciding on a couple bottles of beer, snapping the caps off deftly and offering one to Bachdion and taking the other himself.

The bottle sports an image of the Earth and says "La Fin du Mond", a 9% tripel golden ale - smooth, but punchy enough to help relax his nerves. And, of course, a couple aspirin.

"I shouldn't say" he takes the beer, "Let's just say he's a puzzle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a catechism"

A soft snort. "I had my own chat with a fellow who meets a similar description. It's like pulling teeth to try to get through to him, sometimes. Welll... maybe that's not fair. At least the dentist gives you a toy and a sugar-free lolly if you behave."

A swish of his tail. "And before you say anything, of COURSE I behaved."

a laugh, "Of course," the satyr smiles, "You're a good fellow, Vince. But if it is the same fellow, well, we must remember he's come a long way at a very fast pace."

He gives a rumble of agreement, and holds up his beer to clink against Bachdion's. "To baby steps."

Tink

He starts to say something, then stops, thoughtful, and takes a sip of the beer instead. "I'm not so far off from that age... I'll have to ask my mother, saint that she is, if I was half as dramatic in the edges of my teens."

"How are you fitting in around here? The Baroness seems to be taking a shine to you"

A warm smile grows at the mention of the Baroness. "Oh, the Lioness is welcoming as anything, and most everyone else has been as well. Shalimar, in particular, seemed concerned that I was getting proper rest and tucked me in the other night. Granted, I think a dirt nap is a bit more beauty sleep than I think I need at this point, but I definitely appreciate the sentiment.

I was curious, however - there are rather a lot of kids roaming around that don't seem to have leashes tied to any particular wrist. Is EarthRunes a popular hold for fosterage?"

"Not originally, a batch were rescued from Thallian enslavement," He answers, "Therre are two warders, Teachers and Baby sitter combined, that look over them. One a pIskie fellow, the other a troll. Have any of the kids been trouble?"

He nod at the answer, turning the bottle between his hands, fingers idly plucking at the wrapper. "Oh, not at all. I was wondering if they might want a side sitter at any point, I'd volunteer. Could bring them by the tavern, bundle them into the Liam's cocktail class, since I can only seem to get him to drink Shirley Temples in any case." His voice is amused and his eyes crinkle as he chats about the kids.

A laugh "I'm sure they'll be delighted for a bit of attention. Isis was asking if you died could she have your stuff? Kitten pooka."

An amused snort at that. "Well, as soon as her mane grows in, I'll b glad to declare her my heir and apprentice to everything the light touches. Though, I hope she has patience, as I'm certainly not planning bequeathment of anything any time soon."

Still toying with the label on his bottle idly tearing it into little shreds atop the bar. "I was thinking. Maybe... magazines?" His head cants to one side, abruptly returning to their earlier conversation. "Or movies. Oh, the classy sort, of course. The lioness and her Liam could perhaps, look at them together, and...." A vague gesture. "Perhaps having her point out what SHE likes in other ladies, might help, stir him, hmm, into admitting the same?"

Bachdion gives a pained look, "My friend, the man would sooner give up the keys to the kingdom than admit anything of the sort, even for her I think. Out of fear of hurting her. I'm telling you, you maybe scratching up the wrong tree on this one. "

A sigh. "Mrrr. P'raps would be better, had I not come to EarthRunes at all. But... I must admit, I am a selfish creature, and don't want to give up hopes. As you said, he has grown so much in such a short time. I am sure that he has in in him to spread his branches a little further, if he decides he wants to try."

"In his defense, he tries, oh, Ican say for a fact he's very trying, but jokes aside, he makes much effort for love's sake." A swig

Footsteps in the hallway.

August - He is tall, graceful, handsome; a Sidhe. His form is well-developed; he must do some kind of exercise, but not so much as to make it immediately noticeable. He carries himself unobtrusively, quietly. He is clean-shaven; his dark hair is longish, near the shoulders, and unbound. His grey eyes are clear, kind, and thoughtful. His lips seem to curve upwards slightly with a gentle smile as a default. Nevertheless, There is something 'off' about him; slightly repellent and at odds with his boyish good looks and peaceful demeanor. His mundane clothes are warm winter prep-school. His voile is a poet's shirt of light blue silk tucked into grey pants, down to black boots. He wears a knight's belt around his waist; interlocking silver leaves of a laurel wreath. On his breast are two badges; one a blue shield carrying a golden lantern within which is a black tree, leafless and rootless on a silver field. The other is the sigil of Liam.

At the foot steps, Bachdion turns

He sips as well, ears flicking as the steps resound, and he watches the doorway.

Coradel comes in as well, her hand on August's arm. Her red hair flows in easy curls over the shoulders of her simple green gown, and the bangles at her wrists jingle gently with each step. She wears a delicate pendant of a lioness lounging in an oak tree, and another of the Truthbranch house crest.

August fairly glows in her company.... and catches sight of those in the bar... and his expression falters to something like quiet panic.

He watches the two approach, and can't help but smile at the expression on August's face. "Welcome, student - I knew you'd be here this week. It IS Sunday, after all, and I am so happy you brought a friend along to your lesson. Now, don't look so frightened, lad - we shan't team up on you, the only triple-threat here is the Belgian tripel Bachdion and I were enjoying." A gesture to their bottles. "Lioness, a glass?"

She, on the other hand, beams when she sees the others. "Oh! It seems we're here in time for a party."

He gathers himself, nods, and pulls a stool out for Coradel.

"Thank you, Whiskers, yes."

She smiles to August and takes the seat.

Bachdion rises and bows to Coradel, nods to the Liam "Hello

Reaching under the bar, he comes up with another bottle, and narrates in a spirited tone as he pours into a tulip glass. "A lovely golden color, a touch cloudy, see. Abundant froth, though it vanishes with just a touch of lacing on the glass." A small swish to demonstrate before he pours the rest of the glass full, and offers it to August.

"Come now, the lord must taste test for his lady. I assure you, a sip shan't be... the end of the world." A bit of a chuckle, as he turns the label of 'La Fin du Mond' to face them.

"Take a whiff, that musky hint is the yeast, and you may pick up some spices." He sips his own bottle, and hums with pleasure. "A full-bodied mouthfeel - oh, how I do love full bodies, strong, and with sweetness - fruit forward, mmm, pear, perhaps? But that touch of bitterness to offset the sweet. Such is life."

He... tests it.

Coradel watches with a little smile, appreciating the production.

It is light, and sweet, frothy and smooth - he can definitely taste the alcohol, but it is tempered by fruity notes and richness.

A little face, but less than the Manehatten. "It does taste... ah. Musky. Yes."

Coradel fights a smile.

And, he taps a finger on a number on the side of the glass. "Nine percent, mind. Three, just about water. Five to seven, average beers. Nine, now one of those will give you a buzz... and if you happen by any fifteen-percenters, be ready for a nap." An amused purr. "La Fin du Mond, is, of course, French, for the The Lion's Mane. It's not named after me, but one of my ancestors was a Belgian Monk..."

August frowns. "I don't think that's how it translates...."

"And some day the Baroness would like to have that buzz, thank you..."

the door opens, It's Delores "Baroness? The new Seer, he has news. An omen of interest to you"

August turns, as interested as any of this news.

"Oh, I'm sure some nuances were lost from the original Belgish." A laugh at Coradel, and he pours a glass of seltzer and lime for August. He is about to ask a question, it seems, when he hushes for Delores - and his eyes widen a bit at the mention of the seer. "Oh, Sir Amaretto. I did need to speak with him."