#earthrunes

August nods. "I understand." And he does.

"You do." A soft smile.

He grins back.

"And to think, I once was afraid to talk to you!"

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "I still don't understand that but.... I'm glad you did." He repeats.

"Well, you helped me come out of my shell, too. Oh, that first day... that one was the worst. The Heathers had lysoled me at school..." A soft chuff. "To think."

His noble face clouds. "Yes." Grimly.

She reaches out, touching his hand. "And you know, they have not bothered me in a year."

His hand turns, fingers catching the tips of hers. "Good." Firmly. "Zara, I want to know if they do. I might not be welcome at the Hollows, but I want to know if they do."

"Aye. But they have not. And... I am not what I once was, I don't think."

"You're not." With glowing pride. "I can't think of a stronger ally to have." Approvingly.

A soft chuff.

"It's true!" He insists. "I call -you- when I need help, when my family's in danger. I call -you.-"

"Well, I'll come." Simply, a statement of fact.

"Thank you." Soberly.

"You come, too. So. We're both there, aren't we?"

He nods. "Anytime you need." A promise.

Grey lips curl into another smile. "Aye. This life, and more. Even if you don't remember me."

August's face falls. "I wish I could. I don't really remember Magnus either." He seems troubled.

"Well, I only remember the tiniest bits. And I wasn't family."

"Oh, hey, where are my manners?" He smacks his forehead. "Would you care for some tea? I'd like to sit, have you tell me what you remember? Second-hand memories are better than none."

A gentle shrug. "I saw you from the River. I was a water-witch, not some courtier at the Margave's hall."

"I doubt you noticed me much at all, August."

"A water-witch?" intrigued, maybe fascinated. He goes about setting up tea. "There was a river?"

"A river witch, more properly. I remember my river best of all. I guarded it, aye? But I would have visitors, atimes, who sought aid..."

Now he -is- fascinated, listening as he prepares refreshment.

"I remember myself differently - no human, and... primal, aye? A wild thing, as moral as nature."

August nods. "I can understand that, when I'm in the Dreaming I feel.... very different. I think I -am- very different."

She nods. "We both are."

"But... I am glad, aye, to have found you in this life. Mayhaps... think you there's a way to learn the middle path? To become a changeling? It would delight me to think we could meet again."

He brings tea over.

"I.... I don't know." Quietly, with the beginnings of real angst. "I would like to have.... more. Time."

"There must be a way. Perhaps we can seek that answer. It has been done, it may be done."

He laughs softly, playing mother. "Another Quest?"

She grins - the briefest flash of black gums. "I even have an idea of a destination, aye."

A chuckling groan. "Can it wait till summer at least?" Teasing.

"Yes. It can wait until summer."

He laughs. "What is your idea, then?"

*PAUSE*

"Well, two ideas - one, there are the three Namers. I suspect - I must investigate, but I suspect.... the Butcher might well deal with bodies. The Baker's power is astounding, and we've seen the candles, too..."

August sobers. "Those three again?"

"Possibly, aye. The other thought... there is a Library, a memory of Alexandria turned into a dream of ALL libraries..."

"Ohhh...." His eyes shine. "L-space?"

"Now.... the risk, it seems, is becoming too engrossed. Not leaving, but losing yourself in it until naught remains - perhaps becoming a book yourself!"

August gives her a lopsided grin. "You would be a delicate, lace-covered softback in very small, cursive font."

Another gentle rasp of a laugh. "And thee? Oh, a fine clothbound, with silver-gilt and illuminations..."

"But certainly a fine scribe's hand..."

He chuckles, ducking his head. "I'd hope so."

"Earl would be a -tome.-"

"Mmm... mayhaps. But... but maybe a big coffee table book? Full of beautiful paintings..."