#earthrunes

He stands, discretely wiping the slobber off his cheeks. "Ah, well. School, and ... my duties here. I'm afraid I have taxed Sir Bachdion somewhat."

"Oh? " She raises a brow, "He's run out of dances?"

August clears his throat. "I wouldn't know. I just, ah." He glances down, then back, carefully. "I don't know if I'm making... the progress I should be."

"Can I help?"

She looks worried for him

He sighs. "I don't know." One hand still stroking the chimera's head.

Thistlesnort is content. Pets are better than excercise

Leonora looks at the Liam, "look, August, you're doing this for her, and for you, and the two of you together. So if there's anything I can do, let me know?" Smile "anything"

He nods, sober. "I will. And, thank you. For your help and friendship. I... there aren't many people I can count on in that category but... Ah. Thank you."

"Oh, good news? I think? My schedule has shifted I'll have.. more time in class for you? If you still want me?"

"Really?" Relief breaks over his face, a weight lifted. "Are you sure? I don't want you to suffer any ill effects...."

"No no... I'm rather glad. Other schedule started too soon

"Well, that would be great!" Cheerful.

"Thanks, I am too"

"Looking forward to it I mean"

August nods happily.

She gives him a warm hug then parts, "See you around, August. I have to go feed Thistlenort a poptart for excercising."

"Oh! Ah." He is hugged. "Thank... thank you. And, ah, yes. Right. Pop tart."

And off she goes, those that easy athletic sway

August watches her leave, blinking... and processing.

And she's gone

(End Scene)

-------------

Vince is in the bar on Sunday night, which seems to be deserted. He is leaning over the back of a chair at one of the pub tables, idly nursing a beer as he glances over a few pages of messy handwriting. A couple bottles are set out on the bar along with highball glasses and limes.

August taps on the door frame. His grey eyes are as sober and serious as they have ever been, his expression... expressionless. Controlled. Tight.

He glances up, evidently surprised - perhaps having not expected August to come by tonight. Or ever. His enthused greeting somewhat dies at the expression on the Sidhe's face, and his pleasure at seeing August turns into more of a wary uncertainty. "Oh! Oh. Evening, August. Looks like you're thirsty tonight?"

"No. But we had a lesson scheduled. May I come in?"

He stands and bows to August, sweeping a hand to indicate the entirety of the room. "Everything the light touches IS your kingdom, after all. I just work here."

August enters, and does take a seat at the bar. He places his hands on the bar.

Straightening back up, he moves over to his traditional post on the opposite side of the bar, and remarks. "Since this is a non-graduate level elective, I'm fairly sure absences wouldn't be noted. Actually... you could drop the course, and not have it effect your G.P.A. entirely." Idly rolling a lime under his palm against the bar counter.

"You wish to stop." He clarifies.

"Riddle me this." He rejoins softly. "Am I here because I am tasked as a teacher, or because I enjoy the company? And, what use, a reluctant student - for the former, or the latter?" He sighs softly. "Would you rather be elsewhere, where you might be more comfortable?"

"Or rather, if not the place, the company, that might be the key?"

August considers the question and answers honestly, if gravely. "It.. was not easy to hear. I don't like it. But I can't blame you."

"Can you not? if not I, who?"

"It's not an issue for blame."

"Then, pray, my friend, tell me, what is?" A pause, and he asks, "And whether I spoke falsely, just now? Sometimes, you see, we pooka cannot even tell."

He shakes his head. "I don't understand."

He sighs as well, and, in a gentle tone, remarks. "I had called you my friend. Perhaps, I take liberties. Though, 'tis never been my habit to do so, as if one asks nicely enough, they'll generally be given."

"Entire closets full of them, you see."

"Yes."

"Yes, to which? I dare say, you could wear a tail sometimes, and none should look askance."

"I should rather drawn my own assumptions, but they do have a saying about that, and I don't think that an Asses's ears would suit me."

"You... you have called me a friend. And yes, you do take liberties, sometimes." Evenly.

He leans back slightly, still rolling the lime beneath his hand. "Have I done so? Should I seek to return them, if they weren't mine to borrow?" Drawing up a small knife, he slices the lime into quarters, eighths, and then one half into thin slices.

"No. And I'm not necessarily referring to Coradel. I think it's likely we all take liberties, sometimes."

"Tell me, if you may. Why are you here? You do not wish to drink, that's the first asses ear I wear, and you do not seem particularly fond of my company, that's the other. Shall I go for a asses's tail in place of my lovely Tuft and try for a third, or perhaps you can tell me, if I did get the eye of the bull, why you visit anyways? You shan't hurt my feelings to cancel."

Meanwhile, he uncorks the first bottle of dark amber liquid, and wafts it under his nose to inhale the scent, before offering to August to do the same.

August sniffs it carefully.

"Goslings Family Reserve Dark Rum is probably one of the best in the world. Alas, this is still moderately palatable." The rum smells sweet, spicy, and complex - and has a pirate on the label.