#earthrunes

"what?" SHe says "Worried I'm going to turn into a redcap?"

He blinks. "Ah. No." And she might remember belatedly.....

And she doesn't.

He clears his throat. "No. Ah."

"I..oh wait, that story you told me about you and the cookie?"

"The reason you don't like being called 'Aug'?"

He nods.

"Auggie, right Auggie" SHe says "Okay, sorry, poor choice of terms. " Sheepish

"It's ok." He doesn't seem insulted at all, but maybe unsure of something.

"Okay. August... whatever it is , I'm not a mind reader. What is it?"

He frowns, puzzling... then steps forward to kiss her thoroughly.

She is startled ,and returns it

He deepens it.

She makes a happy hungry sound, but parts "August... are you kissing me just to avoid a question?"

"No. Well, ah, maybe to answer another one. I was wondering it your comment was, ah, a suggestion." Seriously.

"The one where I said I could eat you up?" Still a bit breathless

He nods, watching her with sober eyes.

"No, I honestly just thought you were being sweet, but... it's nice you were trying to please" A smile

"It isn't a hardship." A small smile. "I am trying to pick up in these cues."

In=on....

"I appreciate it, August, but..." She strokes his face, "You also get to act on what you want. You know that right? If I don't want it, I WILL let you know"

He nods. "I know. Ah. Do you?"

"Yes. I know that if I don't want what you want I WILL let you know" Slow nod "As for acting on what I want. August, I believe i once pushed you onto a futon and tore your shirt off with my teeth. "

And yes, she can still make him blush.

SHe looks too pleased at that fact.

He glances around them, and taking her hand, draws her into the maze.... maintaining direct eye contact.

Her eyes grow large, and soft, and a smile, rather tender, takes over her lips as she is led away into the maze.

(End Scene)

Zara is holed up in the library, poring over a leather-bound journal full of frenetic scrawls.... Paler's diary, his notes. It is... unpleasant reading.

August pushes the door open, wiping his face with a rag-towel, his shirt loose and askew, signs of effort obvious.

She looks up and brightens. "August!" A happy whisper.

He sees her and grins.... no, SMILES brilliantly. "Zara." However happy he is, he speaks quietly. "Hello." He approaches. "Sorry for my state...." He tucks the towel into his belt. He smells of vanilla and summer sun; coconut, suntans, salt breeze.

Bronte swoops down and lands on August's shoulder "I'm not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat. Michael Jordan"

"Were you... nay, the beach?"

And he grins at Bronte. "Hello, beautiful one."

"No. Practice ring, doing drills."

"Well, tis naught to apologize for."

He puts his clothing more to rights. "Still."

Bronte gives a draconic blush and says with a playful tut "Flattery is like chewing gum. Enjoy it but don't swallow it."

He chuckles at the dragonette.

"Wise words, darling."

"I just came in to get a book for later. Sorry to have disturbed you." Sincerely.

"You did not. I welcome the interruption."

"Really?" Puzzled that anyone wants to be pulled out of the otherworld that is books.

"Well, I am certain the nature of the company matters - nu? You are a more pleasant surprise than, say, a syrup-coated childling..."

A pause. "Why are they always sticky?"

"Because they are sweet?"

A soft chuff.

He takes a seat next to her.

Bronte flutters towards Zara, perching delicately near her now, and she seems happy for the company of both "“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”-
― C.S. Lewis"