#earthrunes

"Coffee, mom."

"Wayfare... were you... flicker flashing?"

"No," he blushes "Not yet. Why..did you think I could even try?" A blush. Oh she knows. She knows I'm...ah whoops

"I know you've been studying..."

She rises, floating over to join him. Cool hands touch the scratches, and she makes a soft noise of concern. "You know I have strictly limited the number of scars..."

"Well, yes," He says "But I just recently got flight" Then he shushes as she fusses. A good boychik takes his lecture. Also, he adores how she looks as she does it.

Miriam grunts a little and sticks her pencil in the coffee, stirring.

"Flying! Exciting enough! Though - did I tell you? I think... I think Augury might be in my grasp soon... "

"Thought ya said he oathed to someone?" Only half-listening.

"You didn't tell me, but I kind of knew it. I am dating the smartest witch in her generation."

"August, Mom. Not Augury."

"mm?" he turns and blushes lavender

A soft rasp of laughter and she stretches up to peck his cheek.

"And, how are you, Miriam?"

"She's working. Isn't she beautiful?"

The nocker in question is sucking coffee off a pencil at the moment.

He smiles, "She's focused. And thinkin, and happy. Is that how I look when I've got a painting groove going while you watch?"

She nods, black gums revealed with her grin. "Aye. And you also chew on your paintbrushes."

"You sure brushes just don't naturally wear away in those odd ring patterns?"

"Absolutely."

"Darn." He smiles

"I know thee."

A brief wicked glance to his eyes but keeps his first thought quiet

She taps his nose. "You don't even know how often I watch. I am very sneaky."

He 'beeps' as she taps then "Very VERY sneaky." A nod

"Ninja." A nod back.

"So, to counter the ninja, I must be as a pirate. Arr"

A soft snerk. "Don't take this as license to lose an eye!"

"Actually,, the often wore patches on one eye so that it would get used to the dark, when they went below, they's switch the patch and it could transition quicker. Besides, not like I want to be a boggan" Inside joke

"I am much happier with my troll than any boggan."

"And I think Moth had a good time - You had a good time, yes? Friday?"

"Yes. I did. " He smiles, "Though I sometimes feel a need to walk for a half hour after hoping to burn off the calories whenever I have a meal at your place"

"Ha. Mama would probably just save some brisket for when you returned."

"Probably," he smirks, "I wonder if she thinks if she fattens me up enough you'll lose interest in me. It's a devious plot"

The pencil is back in the coffee, stirring, as she thinks.

"Very devious."

"She was rooting for Ice, you know."

A sigh "I know."

Now drinking from the mug, pencil angled so's not to lose an eye. One-eyed nockers are NOT a thing.

"Well. I think this worked out better."

"I know it did" He grins and takes her hand to kiss it lightly, "Theree's not a day in my life I don't thank the stars for how this has worked out"

"Mom, do you need any food?"

She squeezes his hands. "And yes."

"Ugck." She looks in the mug. "This stuff is -foul.- And I know from foul, believe me!"

"Mayhaps because it has been steeped with graphite?"

does not laugh. does not laugh.

"Tastes like wood shavings." She makes a face.

"You chewed on your pencil. Teeth must be a hassle."

She looks at the implement in question, back to the others. " 'Course I did. Everyone knows that's where the ideas, the inspirations come from. Jeeze, don't you know -anything-?"

A soft chuff. "Aye. Of course."