#earthrunes

"Well, whatever it is it will smell better than a Tauntaun"

"Probably!" Coradel smiles, then says, "I will walk you to meet Leonora." A few steps. "How are you, Claire? We haven't talked much recently."

"That's not necessary, and I'm doing fine. I miss my husband, of course" A bit withdrawn "I'm sorry if I feel a stranger to you lately but you have been very busy, and rightly so. " She walks down the hall

"Not necessary, but I want to. Have you heard from Magnus recently?"

"His last phone call indicated he was well, but it was last night" She says

Footsteps, and Squire Lesleah comes into view.

"Well, I'm glad he says he's well, at least, though I know that doesn't help much to make you not miss him." Slight surprise as Lesleah appears...she'd assumed that was who the shadow had been. A nod and a smile. "Squire Lesleah, how are you?"

She bows low "I am well, baroness, but I was told my knight would be here. And as we have lessons?"

"we do?" Dame Claire raised brows, then sighed "of course, I'm sorry I have fogotten. I'll text Dame Leonora and let her know I had already alotted the time for your training."

"Oh, well...why not a lesson in hunting? In fact, I'd like to join you. Come now, what better way to make use of time?"

"I'm afraid the study was meant to be on Macheveli's the Prince" Dame Claire says, "And my squire, as you can see by her dress, is not suitable dressed for hunting"

"Oh, one must always be ready to hunt, regardless of the clothing." Coradel smiles. "It makes for an interesting challenge to chase a beast through a fen in a ballgown."

"Ah..." Squire Lesleah says surprised, "Permission to change?"

"There, then!" Coradel gives Claire a pleased look, as if the matter is settled.

"I'll text Leonora and let her knwo we'll need a bit of time. Off with you, squire, go change." She texts

"Maybe I should try riding the Tauntaun....or are we going on foot?"

"I'm not sure, it maybe bow hunting. That is her weapon of Expertise" more texting. Lesleah is gone.

"Lovely! I haven't had a good shooting workout in a bit." She waits for Claire to finish texting.

Claire finishes nd puts it away.

"She'll be here, won't be right away. She knows Lesleah is coming with us and needs time to change"

"Good. That gives us a few moments. I was wondering...well...actually, never mind."

"trouble, baroness?"

Raised brow

"Oh, no. I was just thinking...well...we never really did get to celebrate your wedding, did we. It kept getting put off and put off until...wham...Samhain. But...wouldn't it be lovely to do something properly celebratory?"

"I think it's passed for that, Baroness. It doesnt' really matter" A shrug

"Nonsense. I know you were looking at lovely dresses. What did you end up wearing?"

"Most of it was in a corner in the morning," She seems to be waving it off

"Hm. And the cake? Musicians? Guests? Gifts?"

'Where is Dame Leonora?" Claire says aloud

"Here," Leonora says "Hey, you both look good. Bow hunting okay?"

"Perfect." Coradel smiles at Leonora. "And you look good, yourself."

"One tries, " Leonora says

Lesleah comes out dressed in hunting garb, though she idgets with it, and has a crossbow

"One succeeds. Leonora, don't you think it would be wonderful if we had some festivities to celebrate Claire and Magnus's six-month anniversary, since we didn't get to enjoy their wedding?"

"Sure, I know you've been sullen about that, Claire" A kind look from the other Fiona

"I'm over it." Claire says "Squire, go fetch bows for the baroness and I"

Leo coughs"the Baroness has her jewelry"

"Yes...Claire, you know I'm prepared...." A slightly puzzled look.

"Oh, silly me, I guess all this celebration talk has me distracted. Just my bow then" Claire orders the squire. Who races off.

"Well...that's understandable. I hope you'll consider it. I'd love to throw both of you a big party when Magnus gets back. Hmm...it's hard to keep track of him sometimes. When did he leave on this current job?"

"A few nights ago. "

"Mmm. Well, he's often away unexpectedly, I guess." She angles so that she can give Leonora a wide-eyed look without Claire being able to see her face, just for a second, before turning back as if she only had to sweep her hair over her shoulder.

Leo mouths from the side 'What's going one?" but does not SPEAK

Coradel takes the next available moment to mouth that's not Claire. Then she takes out her phone, "Let me just text August that we're going hunting."

A text goes to both August and Magnus: Please let me know where you are right now, ASAP

"Ohh, I forgot... Thistelsnort needs practice too. " She whistles

Clare looks confused "oh , well, certainly. Thistlesnort..yes."

Then the Baseelope comes in scratching an ear.

"Hey boy, go join Claire" the Fiona says

The Chimera blinks, his brows knit, and he sniffs