#earthrunes

(End Scene)

And in short course after recovery, August touches base with Leonora, Vince, Bachdion, and others who he has become close to. Just a small personal effort to show he is well and thank them for their support.

Leonora gives him a fierce hug, then slaps him on the shoulder "you worried the hell out of Coradel"

A helpless shrug. "I didn't -intend- to get kidnapped! It's kind of embarrassing, you know.

"No kidding, running off with strange trolls" clearly he is not off the hook

"Running... he must have -carried- me off!"

"Stop making excuses that he lied to yhou and was bigger than you and had the drop on you... logic maybe on your side, but you scared Coradel. SO... you must pay the penalty and spoil her extra hard over the next week or so now that you're healthy again" poke

August frowns and says slowly. "Wait. Is this an attempt at reverse psychology?"

"You think I don't want you to spoil Coradel?" A raised brow on the brunette beauty

"I think you'd like it just fine. I think maybe you might worry I'd beat myself up over getting hit on the head and more."

"Nope, nope nope" She says "I am tearing into you with a fierceness for worrying Coradel. I may be moved to physical violence" She looks up at the taller sidhe. eyes sparkling.

He really doesn't seem to know what to think. "Ah. Oh. Ok. Well... yes, of course I'd like to spoil her. It's an exciting summer, maybe the best one yet."

"And you won't upset her by getting hurt again?"

"I didn't -intend- to get hurt -this- time!! He said he was a DeBuke, he said he needed help, and I owe the DeBukes!"

"nice time, check their DeBuke card" she insists

"You want me to -ID- people!!?"

"we want you not to get kidnapped and hurt, dork" A kiss then a smile

"I am not... mmph... not planning on it." He manages.

"Good." She nods "But the proof is it not happening again so..." And another hug "I Had a devil of a time distracting folks. My gosh Thistlesnort and I made suc ha big to do"

He rests a hand on her arm. "I understand you lead a merry chase, and even flushed one of his people out. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I had Thistlesnort act like he was tracking you, went down side paths, ranted on the vengeance I would take... how I KNEW Where Paler was and he would die.... and yeah, drew teh attention I needed, but it felt like it took forever. The fight was almost a relief. " Her eyes sparkle again, "It was hit and run, shadow and shoot from there... my bow, his gun"

"Gun??" Clearly.

"Many people don't use bows, August" She reminds "Only the awesome people"

With his free hand he rubs the back of his head and sighs. "Ok, ok, ok....."

"Thistlesnort gave me the edge and in the end...arrow right through his mouth" A lower voice "I was aiming for the bad guy's eye but I don't tell them that because they think it was awesome that I nailed him in his O face"

Now he face palms.

She laughs softly "I know, a bit crude. "

"Were you hurt? At all."

"No no, you don't get to retroactively fuss over me after scaring us with a coma. I was invulnerable as far as you know" Hmmph she seems extra saucy

"I could pro-actively fuss over you....."

"Well, save it blue boy" A kiss on the cheek "I'm fine. Yes, I got grazed, but nothing a liick from THistle snort couldn't help with"

He sighs, disgruntled.

"Did you see Karen?"

He shifts and offers his arms. "I did. We talked. It's good."

She takes his arm "She's been through a LOT... and there you were, saving her, well, actually it sounds like the poor girl was passed through a half dozen rescuers ... damsel- it's a tough gig...but she's better now"

He holds her. "Well. She says I ordered them to release her and they did. But I don't remember it, myself."

"Well, you do give good Dic... tum" Mischief

He cringes slightly. "Oooooo...." a groan.

"Serves you right worrying us, getting yourself captured"

"Leonora, I did -not- 'let' myself get captured! Listen... who told you what happened?"

"A mix... Coradel sent me on my mission, later.. Shalimar reported on the return trip."

"And who told you what happened when I was captured?" He demands.

Then a smile "And Sir Earl ,who I totally would have planted one on and maybe more if it weren't for the fact he is very taken by a librarian who reminds me a bit too much of of a victorian mugshot"

"Earl means the world to Zara." He reminds her.

" i know, I don't poach... not that I could, I think those two are tiiight" she says "And August, don't get fussy. I am playing up somethings yes. I know you didn't ask to get captured, but who else am I going to take it out on? The jerks who did it are finito... cursed, damned and dead I hear"

He nods soberly. "You already took one of them out."

"Yes, but I hear the guy was a breeder," A frown "And I mean that in the most negative way. A breeder and a brainwasher. "

"Paler was." he confirms.

"He never should have sent his golden bitch to kick down Cory's doors and make threats" Fierce in her visage, remorseless in her tone. "War with the Lioness, get hunted."

"I'll remember that." Wry.