#earthrunes

And Coradel is increasingly convinced that August is making a full recovery....

August, for his part, needs to convince her; it's only right and fair, considering how worried she was.....

She's concerned about him overtiring himself...but he might make a convincing argument for his level of recovery.

Enthusiastically.

...later...

"Told you." smiling at the ceiling.

Her head on his chest, her hair fanned out over his shoulder, she laughs softly. "I consider myself well-told."

"Good." He kisses her head. "Still hungry, though." Oh yes, he's in a good mood.

"Mmmmm...." she purrs. "Still enough strength to walk to breakfast? Or should I have it brought here?"

"As much as I would like to stay like this...." He strokes her body. "Maybe people should see me upright?"

"They should," she agrees. "You have had visitors, but many have asked after you outside of the Infirmary." She seems much relieved herself. She props herself up to look down at him. "Welcome home, my love." A happy smile.

A true smile. "Good to be here." He kisses her and then, with some sense of regret, starts to get up and get dressed. "Hard to believe people were worried. I mean, no doubt if you say it is so, but...."

"August...I don't think I told you since you became conscious again. But many offered help." And she tells of the diner meeting and all the resources provided by those outside of court.

He dresses slowly, stunned, listening.

"...and we must find a way to give Ray an appropriate commendation without putting him at further risk from his kithmates. He's the one who...he carried you back from the Dreaming."

August shakes his head disbelievingly. "But... why? I mean... ok, you asked them. That makes sense."

"It is more than that, August. You are respected here, and not just as my trueheart."

He seems mystified by this, but accepts it. He offers his arm as he opens the door.

She takes his arm...and does not request anybody to bring the wheelchair as they go. He has demonstrated that it's not needed. Adequately.

August smiles shyly and acknowledges the greetings offered with polite, genuine gratitude. Coradel sees him making direct eye contact and although he might blush at it all, he doesn't brush the sentiments off; he values them as offered.

And she finds this deeply gratifying, smiling and greeting others as they walk, and suggesting they take their meal in the garden so he might get some fresh air and sunshine.

"Sounds great." He leads them that way.

That Rainbow might be glowing positively SMUGLY right now

"When did the rainbow arrive?"

"From what I'm told, when we got you home, and it has been here ever since." And the two settle in to take tea and breakfast, and to entertain the company of those who come to wish August well.

((end scene?))

((Fin))

************************
Later, towards evening, August goes in search of Karen the Selkie.

Karen is found on a lawn chair in a one piece bathing suit looking over s ome notes

August blinks at this, but approaches and offers a short bow. "Karen."

"Oh gosh" She blushes "Hi August I... I look silly, gloves and a one piece but my clothes I ..was short on them and Leonora loaned me this and.. ah.. I have a list of holds I could visit near coasts. Did you know there's a placde in Tijuana Mexico? "

He nods soberly. "I've heard of it. Karen. I, ah.... I'm sure Coradel would offer you a fosterage here, but I know you need to be near the ocean. Ah. You know what a fosterage is?"

"Yes, it means someone holds my hand for a period of time, like a year and a day... I've been told that you'll try to lure me to a Count Jude's place, but Zara says she's biased towards New York City. Honestly, I'm not sure I can afford to live near either"

"Well, you -can't- afford -not- to live near the water." He points out. "Are you.... are you ok? With the changes? What happened?"

"Am I okay with not being mentally a four year old or worse a vegatable? August... it's great...and rather wondrous" She turns over andl ooks at him, lounging on the lawn chair it's its like a sea side rock "I mean.. all the stuff that was too much while enchanted in the Dreaming.. it comes together now. I even remembering you ordering them to release me. "A tilt of her head, "You really are a knight in shining armor..even when unarmored"

He blushes lightly. "Ah. Well. A knight, anyway. I don't really have armor."

"You shoudl get a helmet maybe..." A look "But you don't seem to have any marks anymore"

He nods. "Freeholds... well, Balefires.... have a healing effect, and we have Arts, magics, that can heal as well. I've had the benefit of both."

"Good." She says "I'm glad you have a fairy tale home, August. You deserve it. Coradel..pardon me, the Baroness, is so very kind."

He nods. "It can be a challenge, to live as Fae in this world. It's good to have places we can be ourselves. You need a place like that."

"Karen, you know I intended no insult, right? I -am- that clueless." He confesses bashfully.

She lifts her head "Yes, I can believe it. It's..actually sweet. Also , in my defense, it's not like I threw myself in your lap"

August gives her a shy grin. "Thank you for that."

A blush "I'm told we selkie consider ourselves more romantic than forward..in that, it suits me"

"I'd long thought I'd be alone, you see. No Fae woman would want me, and no mortal woman could share my life with me. So.... And besides, it would be wrong to think of a relationship with, you know, a fellow student." Seriously. "Really? I don't know many Selkie. Just, you know, about the kith. Not personally."

"It's okay, we're rare. At least inland."

He nods. "Right." He scuffs the grass. "So... do you have any plans?"

"Beyond finding a place on some coast? No. I told my folks that I had a life changing experience .. I was very vague, but it sort of greased the wheels for whatever crazy Idea I tell them next. I mean, I'm not sure what I'll do for a living... thoug h Iguess I can go on an easy fish diet"

A soft laugh. "I guess you could."

"What about you? Marriage, moving in? Law? Family?"