#earthrunes

Coradel has just finished the last bit of open court, and the various petitioners are clearing out...and Coradel turns to give August a smile. "Well...that was tedious," she murmurs through her teeth.

He chuckles, setting his note-taking materials away and moving to her side. "It needed to be done. Most of those issues would only have gotten worse with time."

She pouts good-naturedly. "Fine, but it's still tedious." She reaches to take his hand, fingers twining in his.

He takes her hand with a loving smile. "Tedious, but over with." He reminds her.

"Mmm...then what's next, think you? It's early yet...."

He offers gently to help her rise if she wishes. "Well..." He think, then chuckles. "Wow."

She does rise in a graceful motion, her silvery dress moving delicately around her legs. "Wow?"

"Ah....." Momentarily distracted "Ah, oh, I just, ah, realized.... I'm not leaving tonight. Or tomorrow. I mean, I usually have a list of things to try and get done each weekend here, and... I don't.'

"You..." she smiles, moving away from him at arm's length "...have all the time..." she spins into his arm "...in the world." A smile and a wink.

"It sure seems like it." With a shy grin, his arms around her. "I mean... Monday, I'll start really looking for work but I don't think it will be a problem. And, you know, pay more time and attention to other projects but.... It sure is nice to be here. With you."

"Mmmm..." A comfortable, happy smile. "And it's very nice to have you here. With me." A tilt of her head. "What sort of work, do you think?"

"Well, life-guarding pays well."

"Oooh...do I get to visit, now and then?" A teasing look.

"Aaahhh...." He hedges but not without a grin. "You're the Baroness."

"I am, aren't I?" Then she leans in and murmurs, "I'll play nice," before kissing his cheek.

He kisses her back, then pauses, eyes darting around the room before murmuring back to her.

She listens...and her breath catches slightly. She leans back to look at his expression, checking that she heard that right....and her expression is one of surprise and pleasure.

.... while his is sheepish.

"Well..." she says slowly and carefully "...I will keep that in mind."

Near alarm, he meets her eyes to check in with her.

She looks back, expression warm and approving.

He relaxes and nods. "Ok."

She steps back from his embrace and slips her hand into his. "So...life-guarding. Very fitting." She leads him from the audience chamber.

He follows along. "Well, water-safety is pretty basic in Scouts, I've done it for a few years and I have good references. It pays pretty well, I can safe for the summer for next year."

"Oh...August, you just made me think, we need to make sure the childlings can swim, or at least that they won't drown."

He nods. "Sure, there're classes for children, childlings. Or I could just teach them.... here? Or maybe your parent's house? How are they?"

"Well, perhaps at whatever pool you end up working, but I'd like you to teach them. I'd be happy to help...it sounds like fun." To the last part, "They're progressing...slowly. Some days are better than others, for each."

He nods. "Are they staying, you know, productively busy? Coradel, can I help?"

"I think...you might have some insight that I don't, yes. I don't know what I should be looking for, what I should recommend, what opportunities are there in the mortal world for them..." A sigh.

"They -are- mortal." Gently. "They may need mortal remedies."

"When are you going over next?"

"I was thinking I would drop by tomorrow at some point...would you have time to join me? If you have something else planned, that's fine too."

He shakes his head. "Things I can do any other time. I was hoping to come with you to see them."

"Good," she smiles. "I think Papa especially would appreciate that. He approves of you."

August chuckles. "That.... is good to hear."

A pleased squeeze of his hand. "Did you doubt it?"

"No, actually." Honestly but without false modesty. "I tried very hard to be approvable."

A curious look. "Really? I...suppose I should try to do the same with the Rachfords. Which might not be easy. They saw me slap you that time...."

"Well, yes, on that subject..... "

"Mm?" Idly strolling down corridors...perhaps out into the gardens.

Walking with her. "I hate having to do it, but there are some things we can't share with them. So I thought... just to try and keep it close to the truth? I tell them that things with Julia aren't working like I thought they would. That I want to help and protect her but... maybe it's more like I would a sister."

"Well...I can hardly appear on the scene immediately thereafter, can I?"

"Oh...but...wait..." She's thinking. "If we say that she and I are sisters...?"

".... Cousins?"

"That you'd gotten to know me better while trying to work things out with her...."

"Cousins, sure." She nods.

"Or..." she shrugs, "We could just fuddle them to think she was the one that slapped you. They've only seen each of us once, correct?"

"Exactly. I'll go to see them in a week or so, talk to them about it, take their advice.... pretty sure I know what that will be. And then, maybe after the summer....?"

He winces. "I'd rather not. Fuddle them."

"Well, we could just tell them they remember it wrong. A red-head is a red-head, right?" A wry grin, then more seriously, "What if their advice is to move back home?"