#earthrunes

Zara is scowling at the offending gum as she scrapes at it.

Oh, Hannah, sweet adorable Hannah, would EXPLODE if someone did this at her house.

August's expression is.... a picture. "Can I help?" Very softly.

"Oh... August."

"Hello." She pushes back her bangs, aiming for her dignity.

"Zara."

He looks. "Ah. Gum. Who?"

Sigh. "Childlings."

He smiles. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Remind me that I should not hex the perpetrators..."

He sighs. "Childlings."

"...A tiny hex?"

"Zara...."

"Tis important to maintain my reputation..."

"I gather that won't be a problem." He says, with a smile. " After that last effort." No judgement.

"Well. I did not do much."

"You did, Zara. I've heard." Soberly, reclining on an elbow under the table.

"The plan was for Coradel to draw his attention while we went to retrieve you, but you were already out with him..."

"Truth, it is possible I could have stayed home and the same would have been achieved."

Dark eyes glance over at the Liam. "I am very glad to see you well."

"And I, you." Holding her gaze with direct grey eyes.

A soft smile, even if her eyes are oddly melancholy.

"Do you have a few moments? I have something for you."

"Well... the gum is not going anywhere. So. Yes."

He grins boyishly, and wiggles out from the table, then offers his arm to her. "Do you want to ask Earl along?"

"Ah... should I?" Uncertain, as she takes the arm.

"As you wish."

"I... should I? I know not where he is..."

August turns to her and holds her hand lightly. "As you wish, Zara."

A thread of anxiety. "Aye..."

"I'm sorry, Zara. I don't.... I don't want to make a ...tsursis."

"What is it? You want I should get him?"

"Zara..... whatever you want, What, ah, pleases you."

She frowns.

footsteps

August waits the lady's permission.

"If you wish me to find him, I shall." Irritable.

Squire Tylar comes in "oh, Sir August I was looking for you. I wanted to report that..oh, is this a bad time?"

Zara fades back a step, withdrawing her hand and wrapping her arms around her torso.

"A very bad time" he says "I'll come back later"

August seems confused and off-balance.

"If... if you want Earl to come with us, I'll go find him to ask. If you'd like it to be just us, then we'll go." He tries restating it.

"Should I get Sir Earl?" Squire Tylar asks?

"We... could go, aye."

A frown, again.

"No, Tylar, thank you." He nods to Zara carefully. "Ok." And he leads her out. "Have you explored the woods around the manor?"

"Not beyond the grounds, not really..."

"Okay... he's painting on the roof if you change your mind"

And Tylar with draws