#earthrunes

*********************************
August fusses with the wrapping on the paper of a package; a soft dove gray, with a velvet bow. He swings the door to the library open and steps in, looking around.

Zara is at the table, carefully penning a note with a dip pen.

Unecessarily, he clears his throat. "Zara?" soft.

"Hello, August." She puts the pen in the inkwell before looking up. "How are you?"

A shy smile. "I'm... well. You?" He approaches.

"Very well! I got an unexpected birthday present, so I am writing a thank you note..."

"Will you be able to make it on Friday? Tisn't a party, just tea."

"Of course, I will. Unexpected gift?" Politely curious.

"Miss CC. She gave me a book!"

"Miss CC?" Blankly for a moment, then memory rushes in. "Oh! Ah. A book?"

"Aye. Who would have thought she would give me a gift? And so... a note. Yes. Etiquette demands."

August nods. "Oh, certainly. She's very... vivacious."

"She is. She's a lovely person."

He clears his throat. "Yes."

"Ah."

"Speaking of, ah, gifts....." He shyly reveals the package he was fussing with outside.

"Yes?" A head tilt, then... "Oh!"

"August, how kind..."

An easier grin. "-You- are kind." He puts it on the table. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you..." She admires the wrapping before carefully opening the gift.

She does not tear the paper, but rather pops the tape with delicate precision

There -two- rectangular-but-almost-square items in the package and her instinct says... book? Books?

A soft coo. "Books?"

.... Handmade books.

"Oh!" She holds one up to admire it. "Handbound!"

August has created two books, identical, titled "Mothers and Daughters" The cover of one is a patchwork motif, the other is a dark blue with silver trim.

She tilts her head, tracing spidery fingertips over the patchwork seams before opening the first to look inside.

Inside, the book has fold-out tags, pop-up cards, dials inside the pages that you turn from the edge of the page. Quotes about mothers and daughters and that relationship are carefully decorated on every page. In the back, envelopes and pockets that hold hand-made postcards and custom stationary. There is also a set of pens and pencils.

"I, ah.... I thought.... you know, you'd like to stay in touch with Mistress Miriam so... but not to forget Mrs. Schwartz...."

"This is so pretty..."

"And I love both of my mothers dearly, yes? The blue is for Mama?"

He nods. "That was my thought. But, of course, whatever you think best."

"Oh, the patchwork must needs be Miriam's." She rises, and crosses over to give August an impulsive hug.

He grins and hugs her back. "Again, happy birthday."

"Thank you so much. They're beautiful, I shall treasure them."

"Well, I'm honored, but use them too!" Indeed, the stationary is specific to Zara, and clearly of August's design.

"The stationery, aye..."

"And I'll see you on Friday."

"I'm glad. Earl and Vashti shall be there. Mayhaps Clementine. It is not a party. I am making the fresh petit fours tomorrow!"

"You are an excellent cook." He praises. "I have to say, I'm looking forward to it."

"Well, Mama taught me everything. She made me a cupcake."

"She's very good too." He nods.

"Just you wait, she'll make extra cookies. I think you are her favorite."

"Aw, no, I'm sure she likes Earl better."

"Oh, she likes Earl well enough, but you are that "fine young man."

He grins bashfully and shrugs. He actually scuffs the ground with his boot heel.

A smile back. "Well. I shall see you then."

He nods. "Ah."

"NOT a party."

"I am NOT nervous, nu? Will you stay for a bit, or does duty call?"