#earthrunes

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Magnus is not often at the practice yard. His inability to use blades has caused him to neglect all but the most basic melee skills. So it is natural that August might have expected to see someone else whacking away at target dummy

The mace is sturdy, elegant, and yes, would crack a skull

August was just walking by, head over a sheath of papers, but he glances, and slows.... stops. He watches.

It doesn't take a genius to realize that Magnus is angry, frustrated. And this is his exercise to try deal with that, a bit of sweat is already on his brow as he hammers away

The young man watching sighs, his face falling.

Somehow, between whomps, Magnus hears one of the sighs, and turns, then looks a bit embarrassed, "Ah, hello, August. I..." He wipes his brow "Did you need the poppinjays?"

"No, thank you." Quietly. "Sorry to have distracted you."

"Hardly that, I need a break anyway, how..how are your squires?"

"They are well."

"Good, you'll be a fantastic mentor to them, they seem like great kids. " He heads to a bench

"I hope so. I'll rely heavily on EarthRunes; my idea is to take one with me to Kansas City for the week, then switch....."

"That works, might allow you to be two places at once," He nods "Claire's going to be rather firm with Lesleah, I think. Not sure she's going full drill sgt break you down to build you up thing, but something like that"

A sober nod.

"I should have seen it coming" He sighs "I should have realized some in her House would see an opportunity"

A shrug. "What would you have done differently?"

"Maybe pushed for her to take a squire here to deny them an opening. Of course, I'm not a Beaumayn like Vali or Jennette, I know I can't see this happening but ..damn it."

August almost speaks.... but doesn't. He nods instead. "Hindsight is perfect, Magnus."

"Well, yes I.." A raised brow, "Dad, you almost said something else. What is it?"

He shakes his head. "Trying to outwit an entire House? And... House Ailil? Don't blame yourself, Magnus."

"Now you sound like Claire" Magnus chuckles ruefully, "I suppose it should worry me how much alike you and she can be. Not the humility, of course, but that no nonsense duty needs doing then we can move onto whining about it stance."

A frown.

"Well. Thank you."

"Thank you and a frown? Not a mix found in nature"

"Well, it is, but still odd"

August shrugs, looking down, then away. "Your form looked good, there."

"Dad, I know I tend to be blind towards loved ones, and you're one of them, but I do notice a few things... what is it you don't want to talk about?"

He shakes his head again. "Magnus.... let's let it go? I'm not ready to talk about some things, please."

"I..." Magnus tilts his head "Dad, I never want to hurt you., If you don't want to, or aren't ready to talk about it with me, that's...that's your right. But you do know I'm here when you're ready?"

He nods. "I do, and I'm grateful for it, Magnus. Thank you."

"Okay," Magnus nods, "And..side note: If it hurts you this much- you should talk to mom about it. That's part of what truehearts are for. To...help be stronger than we might be alone. "

He nods, a trifle glumly. "I know."

"You're not talking to her either about this, or at least haven't yet have you?" Arched brow

"No. There hasn't been an opportunity."

"Find one when you can, please" He says "She'll make time for you, and you should let her. "

He nods.

"Sometimes you're very hard to talk to dad." Magnus observes, "I've known trolls less tight lipped."

"I'm sorry, Magnus. It's just, when there's something on my mind, I like to think about it before I say anything. Keeps .... keeps trouble to a minimum."

"I suppose I can see that. I've put my own foot in my mouth plenty of times" He pats his father on the shoulder. "Talk to you later, I'm going to shower."

and he leaves August be.

With a sigh, August moves along.

(End scene)

Surprisingly there is a dearth of Pooka starting the night before Pranks giving, as if theyr'e going elsewhere for their fun..but where?