#earthrunes

He nods. "I've heard tell."

"Some sidhe or trolls choose death in battle...." She says "Odd, sort of death by crusade"

"Rare" she muses "I wonder if Pooka can laugh themselves to death. Maybe the Dreaming provides a egrees in each of us"

He nods. "Some choose a last quest in the Dreaming. They just.... walk away."

"But for those souls we don't know if it's sucide or another form of exile, self imposed that lingers. " She ponders "So many secrets. Plese, Sir August, try not to be so discourteous as to pass away with no sign. It would deny me a learning experience"

He grins again. "I will do my very best, Velvet."

"you're very kind, my liege"

"Kindness costs nothing, and gives much." Soberly. "I think we could use much more of it in the world."

"truth, but it can lead one vulnerable, can it not?"

He nods. "Sometimes."

"So is it...worth it?"

"I have found it to be so." He allows. "Not without cost... but not without value, either. And I know I appreciate kindness when it is extended to me."

Velvet considers this.

Then an idea "Later, my lord. I just had a thought i must pursue. Thank you for the inspiration" She bows, and races off...

leaving a possibly confused Liam knight to wonder what that was about.

He blinks at the sudden departure, baffled indeed.

He looks around the library once more, with a wistful sigh, clearing his head.... and then rises to get his materials and start to work on the cataloging. ((Fade))

(End Scene)

**********************************************

Having gotten word that August is arriving, Coradel meets him at the manor door with a warm smile.

He seems surprised, but delighted; he took the time to drive, 2 hours, but at least he has the car till he goes back. He grabs his bag out and bounds up the stairs. "Hi! I thought I'd have to come find you."

((Agreed this is timebubbled back to Fri p.m.?))

((Yup!))

"After you have done battle with exams and emerged victorious? You deserve a hero's welcome." She does wrap her arms around him, and murmurs, "Welcome home, my love."

He kisses her gently. "It is good to be home." fervently. "Everything ok here?" He slips an arm around her and they enter the manor. A servant discretely takes his bag (with his murmured thanks).

She settles in warmly against his side as they move into the hold. "Things are bustling, but all is well. No recent catastrophes, at least, and Vince is even acting like he's recovered."

"You did vanquish your finals, didn't you?"

"Well, I took them all." Wryly. "I think I did ok. It will be chem that's a problem, if anything."

He chuckles at the comment about Vince. "He acted very .... debilitated.... when I was with him."

"I'm sure it will be fine." She leads him along to the same open parlor where he and Leo last spend a bit of time cuddling together. The room is warm and cozy, and she leads him to a sofa.

He goes with her willing, a lamb to the slaughter.


Wait.

She draws him down with her. And leans in close to breathe against his ear, "I missed you."

"Mmm..." Appreciative. "I certainly missed you." He leans in to kiss her.

It's a slow, lingering kiss, and then an appreciative smile as their lips part. She shifts to lean against him. "I'm glad you'll have a few weeks without having to go back. Oh...when do we go to your parents?"

"Well, Yule here on the 22nd....a day to recover is the 23rd.... Maybe leave to get there the evening of the 24th? Stay till Boxing day?"

A smile at the talk of recovering. "That sounds like a wise plan." A snuggle. "Is there anything you'd like specifically for Yule, August? Or...anything you'd like to do?"

"Being here with you is the best gift. Not having all the... anxiety of last year."

She turns to give him a tender look. "That was a difficult time," she agrees softly.

"That's enough." He says happily.

"Still...well, we'll enjoy ourselves." She settles in against him again. "I did have a question for you, though."

"Mmm." He settles back with her, nestling her in. His free hand strokes her hair. "Sure."

"Well...I want to make sure that you and I are clear with each other." She snuggles and strokes his chest lightly as she speaks. "When we agreed to take lovers, you wished me to be carefully discreet. But...I'm not sure if you still feel that's necessary."

He blinks. "What... what do you mean?"

"Well...this room, it's not the most secluded of spots...but I understand you and Leo were snuggling together here the other day."

"I... I told you I wanted to make time for her...."

"Oh, August, of course, and I'm not at all upset about it...but it's not exactly what I'd consider discreet." She gestures at the open archways and the hallway just beyond. "It's quite public."

"I thought... I thought it was, you know, secluded. I don't want her to feel like she's a... a secret. Something to hide."

"It's not blatant, August, no. And good...I don't want her to feel that way, either. But...I don't want Vince to feel that way, either. Nor Bachdion, though I don't think he'd mind much."

"It's not right for any of them. And this is a Fiona hold. If anybody is scandalized by us then...well, they haven't been paying attention."

He's quiet a long moment.