#earthrunes

"I was able to intervene for someone about to make a mistake, yes. Got him help." A sad shrug. "If you care to investigate, feel free; the fact is most woman in that situation, statistically, don't accept help until... well, not always too late but often not soon enough."

"She refused help from Bachdion, and he's almost impossible to say no to."

"He is persuasive isn't he?" Magnus says "So I need evidence. That's my area of expertise."

"Evidence?"

"Photos, videos, recordings"

He muses "Witnesses help... even if she won't press charges, enough evidence and the state will do something"

August nods. "You'll be able to get those, I think. Might need to go camping for it, but....." He tilts his head. "Forgive the question, Magnus, but...well, other than the obvious moral questions... why get involved?"

He raises a brow, "Well, I have been around unsavory Liam influences"

then a smile, "Does it surprise you so much?"

He shakes his head. "No. I just.... I want you to understand that helping this woman is a ... difficult job. I don't want you to be hurt or disappointed if she chooses to stay with her husband." Gently, with concern.

"Nothing I haven't faced before" He admits "I've seen whores go back to pimps"

He nods gravely. "Alright."

"And on that somber thought- any tasks you have for me around here? Sis wwill b back you know?"

"Oh, no. If anything, I'd like to help -you- with your tasks... if I can." Rueful. "I find that everyone's trying to keep me busy."

"Please, " He hands over some paperwork "I need copies of these, this ,andd these. Yes, it's good folks are trusting the nobles enough to be upfront. I guess it's the Fiona influence"

"Oh" while they work "How are the squires?"

August settles at his scribe's desk in the throne room near his soul's-son. "Doing well, I think. Busy, certainly. I've heard there are some recently arrived sluagh; do you know anything about it? It might be nice to introduce Velvet."

"Might be Demona, friend of our Seer" He muses

"Oh?" He perks up.

"I don't know the whole story there, but it would seem so. From upstate new york, not scarsdale... Binghampton?"

He nods. "Very upstate."

"Well, perhaps I can have an introduction made."

"Velvet might be your best way to do so as you surmised. Sluagh are a mystery to me, I'm too extroverted i guess. You seem to have a knack , or at least they tolerate you better than many of us"

"Oh, no..." Head bent over his work. "... I meant, arrange an introduction between Miss Demona and Velvet. If they haven't met."

"They'd like that. I wonder if we should just open a side room near the dining area for tea?"

"That's an interesting idea!" He glances up with a small smile. "We might ask."

"Delores would know, sis could formalize it but in the mean time, a quiet locale for tea might make the place more sluagh friendly" A frown "Of course, we don't want it near Sir Sergei's kennels or ayrie area"

"No." Quietly, looking back to his work. "Let's keep them separate. No need to irritate when it's avoidable."

"Yes, House Varich is amazingly efficient, but I've seen Daireann that let go of things quicker"

August shakes his head. "Sins of the father...."

"I ssuppose they figure that since the father' s soul keeps coming back they'll eventually get him... of course, that 'mix' of mortal and fae is unique each time but it seems hard to convince them of that." he continues to work on his part of paper work and more as he talks. "You know? I know you're not fond of Unseelie Houses as a rule, but what do you think of the recent arrivals? Well, ten years now, but you know what I mean"

"I am only a casual student of history... but I see no fundamental changes in either Court. The Unseelie do as the Unseelie have done. As do, and have done, the Seelie."

"So at least you like the addition of the Beaumayn?" He nods 'We could use a few more like Jennete"

"Jeanette is very dear to Derynwydd." He observes. "She seems honorable." A pause, dipping his quill. "As for the House.... of course, I have concerns."

"Oh? Now I'm curious, please go on. For me at least talking or listening to talk eases the work"

He shrugs. "Some records suggest very dark dealings indeed, but they stand staunchly against Thallain and even darker forces, so.... on the whole, I see no reason to be concerned about Dame Jeanette."

"Good. " Relief. "I confess, the 'lost' houses among the Unseelie seem less..sinister than the Ailil, Balor, or Leanhaun. Aesin has a tendency to take the superior attitude of the Gwydions and dial it up to 11, and The Daireann find Fiona frivolous, but they are good hosts. Varich? well, Sergei is the very model of a dutiful knight with his charges. IF it weren't for that bigotry against sluagh ...mm but then they do seem alien."

A faint frown as he works. "And we to them, I imagine."

"Oh I suppose so. " He concedes "I see the frown. Want to change the subject?"

And he is working at a better pace

"Not necessarily. I try to be careful about judging on appearance. It might be more important to consider actions, and what's inside them."

"Sluagh -are- very different from us, but not bad or wrong for it."

"Sound" He agrees "And you're right. Sluagh have their own style, but they do have a style. Miss Zara is incredibly talented, even if I suspect she's conquered the library minus planting a flag" Amused

A private, fond smile (very rare). "Yes."

"She's been amazing. She may not like the noble system itself, but her love of books matches yours, you were wise to bring her in on this." He bites his pen and makes some notes "Bronte is adorable too. Do you know how rare real bookwyrms are? "

"I've read up a bit about them since she was found; she's really very sweet. It's hard not to spoil her. And, being as rare as she is, even harder."

He nods, "Claire isn't a big reader but she coos a bit when she sees Bronte and no one is looking."

He nods, working with his head down.

"Between Bronte, the snakes, Sir Sergei's charges, and the stables this is one critter friendly environment. Heck, I saw a chimerical cairn terrier near the Firnost trod the other day. "

"Really?" Mild interest. "Well, you do get a lot of strange things at Firnost."