#earthrunes

"Was." Absently. "Ah, what happened to the, ah, the Chimerical Emma?"

"Oswald took her away. Think she got released in the dreaming. Not sure" A pause "Wait, you met a Chimerical Emma too?"

"No, a different Chimera. Just.... whatever broke, maybe it created these two? Or... more?"

"Who was the other one of?" Jack asks curiously.

"Not really important." Absently. "I think I should go speak with the Baroness." He finishes his tea.

"I gotta round up the other thanes and tell them we got a hottie chimera invasion," Rollo sighs "Shit. No way Delores is going to let us ..."

Jack gives Rollo a LOOK

"Rollo I know they're Chimera, but... please treat them with respect."

"FINE FINE.. damn, water water everywhere, not a drop to drink" He sets his glass down "I'll put Oswald in charge of it among the thanes unless the bosses say otherwise. He's got a rod so far up his ass about somethings I wonder if he's even HAD sex." Rollo turns to go warn the thanes to be on the look out.

Jack watches him go, then looks to August "Confidentally, when I was his age? I probably would have made a play for the chimera too... but I would have at least PRETENDED to be banishing it to the dreaming"

August shakes his head. "These Chimera, you don't have to 'make a play'." A foreign phrase. "They're... agressively affectionate."

"I kind of got that feeling" Jack admits, "But If I told Rollo 'hey, it's not all your fault' he would have heard 'it's not your fault at all'"

August frowns. "I would have thought better of Rollo."

"Go easy on him, man. He's lonely, insecure, and he IS feeling bad about it. If he wasn't? he'd not grouse so much. He's a good guy, he just lacks empathy sometimes. If his sister had been made a chimera of, he'd be ready to throw down to stop a guy from going after it"

"Exactly; but that wasn't his first reaction." August takes a breath, passes the teacup back. "Thank you, Jack. I should go find Coradel, let her know about this."

"August... if it ends up making a copy of the Baroness herself, try not to freak, ok?"

THAT thought clearly hadn't occurred to him yet. NOW it has. "Oh jeeze...." He stands.

"Whoops" he says as he sees the reaction "I guess you'll be rushing off faster now. Sorry I said it"

"Thank you for the drink, but I really do have.... ah, a few things I need to take care of. Excuse me." And off he goes looking for Coradel.... and Magnus.

In any order.

He finds Magnus first, talking with the Seer, the two are comparing notes on magic it seems.

"Ah, Magnus. Seer." He bows politely "I don't mean to interrupt but... when you have a moment, Magnus, I'd like to speak with you briefly."

"Surely, we can talk on the variations on bunks in the houses for high sorcery later" Magnus nods to Almandine

"Yes, Ours doesn't involve the phrase 'pull my finger'" The Eiluned replies.

Magnus merrily flips the fellow off ,and goes with his father "Okay, what can I help with?"

August blinks, nonplussed but nods to Almandine and walks away with Magnus. When they are alone.... "Magnus, I need your help."

"Okay, sounds serious" His humor dims "What is it?"

"Would you .... ok, wait..." He lets some thoughts settle out in head. "I know this might be a weird questions but do you have any trouble being in a church? Some Fae do."

"Well, sometimes I feel judged, but other than that, no. "

"Ok." He nods. "Will you be my best man?"

"Sure, when the time comes, I'd be honored, but you sure you want me?"

"Of course." He blinks.

"I thought you might go with Earl or someone else that you normally quest with, like that Eshu you're always saving." He smiles "But I'd be honored so sure."

"Wait, this is the crisis?"

"No, it's just.... ah. I forgot to propose."

"WHOOPS... they hate when you do that." He says

August nods. "I need a ring. If I give you sketches, can you help me by getting them made? I have some money, but I'll need more to afford them, I think. I -can- pay. I just need more time."

"You want me to... buy you the ring, to propose with to mom?"

He blinks

"No! No, just help me get them made."

"I guess sure?" He says "I know a fae jeweler."

He nods. "Ok, I'll get you the sketches and some money. Can you take it from there?"

"Sure sure... the jeweler is really good. A dougal."

A small smile. "Douglas do the best work." He agrees. "Thank you, Magnus. Find out what his terms for payment are? I'll figure out how to.... oh no. Wait." He frowns. "Unless.... do you think she'd rather be involved?"

"In the marriage? Probably... the ring selection? I'm not sure. SOunds like you already know what she'd like so in that case, it might be more romantic to pop it out and the question at the same time for the first time"

"Right. Right. Ah." August shifts his weight. "What, ah, how do you think I should? Ask?"

"On one knee is traditional, a lot depends on how big a surprise you want it to be. For God's sake do not propose in front of a large crowd. If she says no you'll be crushed and humiliated"

August's eyes go wide. "Says -no-???"

"Unlikely, unlikely, but sometimes women can surprise you... for some reason the Dreaming gave them minds of their own. Mind you, I do like that about Claire- I think I have a masochistic streak..but enough about that"

"She's not going to say No, is she? I mean...we're already Oathed and we've done PreCana and.... why would she say no?"