#earthrunes

"I...I, ah, I remember ... wow. A lot, really." He's still anxiously watching Zara.

"Okay, so... did I hurt our friendship?" Noticing the untentional(?) dodge

"Do you two recall aught I do not? I only... well, that musn't be discussed here."

"No, Earl." Quietly. He points out the last line of his notes to Zara, looking a little ill.

"I might remember a bit more, love. I'll make a puzzle of it later to both vexx and please" A promise from Earl to Zara

then a nod to August

Her lips purse and she frowns. "It is gibberish. I know not what that means."

"I am not mad at you. So. If it is forgotten, let it be forgotten."

He can't help but notice the racier side while Zara looks over the other. His brow raises as the passage about a brunette beauty pressed 'between two oaks' only one of them a tree.

August seems baffled, but then glances at Earl and seems to realize something. "Oh. Ah. Right."

"Cups are an auspicious suit for you, August - they often represent family and plenty. The empress, too - aye, that indicates a child, a'times. Fertility, at least. Abundance."

"Earl, will you excuse us a moment?" August straightens his shoulders. "Zara, could I speak with you privately?"

She hesitates, looking over at her troll.

Earl has stiffened, and he looks pained for a moment at something he read. And not from the erotic side

"...Earl?"

"I'll ...step outside for a bit. Will...10 minutes be enough?"

Concerned. "Are you certain?"

"I don't know, Earl. It's up to Zara." Softly, his attention never leaving the sluagh.

She stretches out, her fingertips brushing the artist's hand. "Are you alright, love?"

Earl kisses Zara gently "Only fools are certain they say, but Yes, I'll be fine. I love you. Help our friend. And leet me know if I can help too." he walks out the door with a nod to August.

"...Aye."

When they're alone (or as alone as one can be at Firnost), August points with a slight tremble at the last line on the page: "She wants you? She likes you? Coradel was right?"

Zara purses her lips and shakes her head. "That was not from my reading, I am certain."