#earthrunes

"She's very sweet" Agreed, Leo looks over at Vince, "Vince. Is it possible you're mostly recovered and that's how you got out?"

A...sheepish look. "Perhaps, when the minder is away, the sheep may stray...."

"Vince......" long-suffering, but not angry.

A sorrowful note. "It was so very, very lonesome."

"And the beatings..."

The patter of soft-soled shoes. "Mon Leon!"

"Avast!" A defeated look. "She comes to leech me once again! My vitality drains!"

"Quick, lady, hide me under thine robes..."

Leo steps in front of Vince to defend him , but it's out of habit

A dandelion puff of grey hair with a pair of tattered ears pokes around the doorway. "Ach, mon dieu! Somebody thinks he is cured!"

and she blushes "VInce? I begin to wonder if you're not taking advantage of my sweet nature"

As he seems to have wiggled a bit into her robes WHILE She is wearing them

"Bonjour! It seems the ward has an escapee. I guess he doesn't want his hot toddy...."

August quietly puts his face in his hands.

"Sorry, Healer Emma. I think he decided we were his hot toddies"

She eyes Leo and August in turn. "Well, oui. VERY hot toddies."

His head jerks up at that, and he gazes adoringly at the nurse. "You mean... I may? My long convalescence lifted, my throat to learn the touch once more of sweet, sweet freedom?" A pause, and regretfully. "Nay, I shall not partake, but that my dearest friends should join me."

"Thanks" The Fiona says flattered

August looks up. "Miss Emmaline?" He stands. "I've heard good things of you. I'm Aug.. I'm Sir August Truthbranch."

"Vince, if Emma says you're not ready to be out and a bout , you're not ready"

Vince topples to the couch lightly, having been still leaning on August. "Alack, my tree has fallen away from me." A dramatic sprawl

"Oh, I would shake but I am afraid my hands are made of bees. I have sometimes been called Emmaline, yes, but you could call me Cordelia."

He bows to the healer and turns to Vince. "I agree with Leonora, Vince." kindly.

She does, however, check on Vince's forehead with the back of her hand.

"he's warm , not hot." Leonora says

She nods. "Now, all his nonsense is his own and not the fever's. Except, of course, for when he borrows nonsense."

"Fair Cordelia, must I away to the deserts of no return once more? Perhaps, if so, I might be relegated to a fairer chamber of the jails, where visitors may bring me hence a cake with a file?"

"Only a cup, here and there, when my own is running low." He argues back, defending himself weakly against the other pooka.

"Uh huh" Leonora looks at Vince, "You faker"

Not as mad as she wants to be about it

"Well, I suppose you could have your tea out here..."

"Cruel, cruel lioness...." He moans, and buries his head in his arm. "If I am guilty of anything, it is of being weakened, and fev'red, and cloistered away from the sun of your companionship, how shall a dandylion bloom?"

"Even healed, I am but weak as a kitten, and fair wilted away... my leaves gone brown and brittle..."

"Oh, you lions are evergreen. Why, I knew a lion once who sprouted holly berries for all of yuletide. Wore them as a wreath in his mane."

Leo hurmphs, but softens a bit further "Fine. Healer Emma," SHe says respectfully, "if it will clear up bed space, I can take him into my room and watch him for a bit. Make sure he gets the right diet that you insist on"

"I think he needs love and sugarplums. But NOT bacchanalia."

"Hear that, ,no Bacchanalia for you" Leonora tells Vince

He rubs at his temples for a moment, then nods meekly. "I shall submit to your bidding. Ah, if I may, perhaps I should retire for now."

"Surely, all the golf carts and McDonald's coffee you want. I even have a stick, you may shake it at youngsters who dare tread your lawn... now here we go, cher..." She offers him an arm up.

Leo offers to help "Vince, I'm going to need that part of my robe back" Arched brow

August sees he's out-matched.

He releases his grip on Leonara's sleeve, and leans back against the couch, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Leonora, thank you for your time tonight. Vince, I'm glad you're feeling better. Maybe we can hang out after finals?"

"You're welcome" She says to August .

He smiles like a warm beam of sun just for her. "My pleasure."

"I'm on my way... are we there yet?" A sigh, and he hauls himself upright, meekly offering a hand to Emma to be led away. "Perhaps a nap first, and the toddy later."

"We could set him in the sun like a potted plant. Cats are capable of photosynthesis, don't you know - especially dandy lions."

Leo swats Vince's butt lightly "You get better, I want to see that tail sway healthily again, goldenbuns"

"Vince, can I walk you down? If the lady does not mind...." deferring to Leonora.

"Sure, wait till I tell Coradel I got you to go 'down' with Vince? It'll make her day"