#earthrunes

"Exactly," She smiles, "You have enough real problems to worry about that you can do something about. First rule- Don't sweat the small shit. Second rule? Ultimately? It's almost all small shit."

"But...." He looses his tie in the steam of the room; his clothes won't need an iron after this, not that they did before. "... I am concerned with details."

"I get that, you're a detailed oriented fellow, and someone needs to be," she says "But there's a difference between working the angles and blaming yourself because they don't fit perfectly -yet-"

"I think I am learning not to blame myself for failing. If you're not failing, you're not learning, you're not growing or trying. But I do acknowledge when.... when I could do better."

The shower stops

and a hand reaches out for a towel.

August looks away politely.

"August, " her voice, "ive got the towel on"

He nods, looking back. At eye-level.

And discovers the towel is on, you know, over her hair

"It's nnothing you havent' seen before" She reminds

He clears his throat, nods. "I know. Not, ah, not what I expected though. I think you know that."

"okay, " She takes another towel and puts it around her fetchingly. "And I do, but I like to think you enjoyed it."

"You're very beautiful, and... and I do enjoy spending time with you." He confesses.

Leonora smiles "Thank you, August. I like spending time with you too. You've very tolerant of my flirtig inappropriately"

"Well, given our relationship, I don't think it's inappropriate." He says soberly.

'I see. So what are your plans BEFORE our date?"

"Ah." He blinks. "I, ah, I might go check up on some mortals that I'm watching."

"So... my dropping this towel right now would be ...an unfair distraction. " A pout

"The towel on your hair?" A hint of that rare amusement as he keeps his gaze steady. "Ah, no. I don't think so."

She laughs at his comment on her hair, lets the 'other' towel drop, and pulls his tie so can get him in a kiss

August kisses her gently, then put his hands on her bare shoulders. "After dinner. If you like. Maybe we could go back to your penthouse for a while." In the manner of one suggesting a compromise.

"I'd like that" Eyes shimmering with interest

He nods, and kisses her again sweetly. "I'll see you here at 7:30, then." And then kneels to pick up the towel and wrap it around her.

"Gallant gent" She takes it as he brings it up to her hand level and wraps it herself. then watches him go.

He kisses her one more time, and leaves.

She watches him go, "Lifting books appears to be good for the gluts" Lusty sigh ...and end Scene

---------

Of course, Magnus and Alamandine have a meeting with Coradel

She brings them into the small council chamber. “What have you learned, Sirs?”

"Regarding the Strip Club?" Magnus says "you have a problem.'//Alamandine agrees, "Though it's understandable how it might have sliipped through notice. They do it bakwards from what many might have thought"

“How do you mean, ‘backwards’?”

"We originally thought that we would find innocent lasses broken down to believe thee was nothing better for them, hooked on drugs, their dreams crushed, so on" Magnus says "But...it's actually the Johns who are the victims. The strippers there include three fae women " //The Seeer nods "Who specialize in destroying love, trust and faith. They ravage couples..double dipping. A husband might be tricked, seduced, and made to believe his wife dosn't love him. Later, the wife might be ravaged as she's told of his infidelity... " ///Magnus frowns "And how she's not 'woman enough' to keep her man'" //"Even the fellows who manage to resist find their manliness challenged, their honor and love turned into things to scorn"

Coradel scowls. “Well...I give them credit for defying expectations.” She paces slowly, thinking. “We know at least that Norm’s information is good, so far.”

"So far" Mangus says "Pemission to shut this down?" He scowls 'This offends me as a Fiona incredbily, and the Liam influence goes without saying"

“Permission granted, enthusiastically. Take what support you need...I recommend at least one troll.”

"I'll get Theo, he's been feeling like he's not even noticed lately"

"Really? Well, we can't have that. Thank you for letting me know, and yes, by all means, bring him." More slow pacing. "I wonder what else I can get out of him?" Then a sigh. "Of course, he's right, in that he pointed out this happened because the locals view me as weak, at least some of them do."

"Their mistake" Magnus bows, "I'll make sure their ignorane is corrected, but not in a way they enjoy"

"Escheat," she says by way of gentle reminder. "Bring the girls here. Their punishment must be at least as severe as Norm's."

The Seer stops, "Begging your pardon, baroness, but..."

Eyebrows up. "Yes?"

"Are you ONLY punishing Norm for Ravaging? I thought his.. murder of one fae, and .attempt to murder the childling was the greater crime? A crime this pach of Ravagers didn't do."

A frown...then a wave of her hand. "Fine...not as severe as Norm's perhaps, but I want a message sent. Ravaging will not be tolerated here."

The Seer bows, "Thank you, Baroness. I would not have brought it up if I wasn't worry for the ah, fall out"

"Yes, of course, and thank you." She's clearly already thinking about what the penalty might be.

"We should go, she's plotting" Magnus says to Almandine, "And I have folks to retreive. Your assistance is welcome"

"Don't mind if I do," the two bow, and withdraw

And the baroness paces....

(end scene)