#earthrunes

Their time is up; his other life calls. August salutes his teacher and sheaths his blade, then wipes himself dry(ish) with a towel. "Thank you, Dame Claire. We can continue another time?"

"If our duties allow, of course. " She nods

He offers a respectful bow. "I will make time, at your convenience. I am dedicated to this improvement."

"That I can see, " she bows respectfully in return, then the two part.

And August is off to shower and get to work.

while August is in the shower, Leonora grabs Claire, "Thank you. I owe you."

"Yes, yes you do," Claire says, "But...he's got potential."

"You've no idea" she winks.

"Don't do that" The Ailil makes a face. "Anyway. I'll call in THAT debt later."

"I kind of figured. " Leonora says "He wants to spar, but I want him to learn from someone better than I at sword play. You're the best so..."

"I get it," Claire says "Though there are those who might contest that. It'll be fine."

And the two ladies walk off quietly.

(End scene)

There is a knock at the healer hut

The door opens. "Oui?"

It's Thane Rollo, holding up a potted plant.

A surprised look, then a smile. "Oh, who is this?"

"I came to apologize" he says Putting the plant in her hands "This is yours. It's some kind of fern. I dont' know what type."

"Well, a green one."

The Thane sighs "Yeah I'm not good at apologies. But I realize I crossed a line."

"She's possibly adequate!"

"you like it then? "hopeful "Hard to tell..anyway. Way I see it, when Oswald is against me, I'm on the wrong side. I should have realized that."

"Oh, I am lukewarm..." She looks for a place to put the fern, and makes a show of setting it in a spot of honor.

"It can get lonely, sometimes, oui?"

"yeah" He sighs "I figured she wasn't real girl so I couldn't hurt her you know? No tears and stuff... then you start crying so it turns out i hurt someone anyway." Pookas do get folks talking

She nods, sympathetically.

"Is there a real girl you like?"

"I like lots of women that look like that... call me shallow but hourglass ain't bad." And he mumbles something else

"You tell Auntie Possum, shug."

"Ah..." he grumbles again, "You probably don't know her, she's another Thane. Troll. I mean, she's stacked.... but everytime I try to think of climbing mount Rheta.. I get this weird pang in my belly. Like, it's wrong to... you know, just want that."

"Mm.." A sympathetic noise. Understanding.

"I dont' get it. I mean... this is a fiona hold, why would I feel guilty about wanting a toss? And I don't... "

"Except with her. It's stupid."

"Do you just want a toss with her?"

"Well, if you keep it as just a screw, you're less likely to GET Screwed... but she's .. I don't know. She treats me nice, she knows how to throw a punch, and I like the way her yoga pants fill out."

"Truly, a well-rounded woman."

"Are you afraid?"

Again, gentle - understanding, sympathetic. A safe set of fuzzy ears.

"ME? I'm not afraid of nothing..." Mutter mumble "even getting my heart ripped out of my rib cage, and stomped on and losing any respect I had for myself and the respect of my coworkers. Me, Rollo, the tough guy, laid out by a broken heart I don't even want to knwo how much shit I'd get for that... see that's why a chimera seemed perfect ...not even a person so I couldn't get attached ,and I couldn't hurt her"

"When I am afraid, I curl into a ball and pretend to be dead. A little drool helps."

"Might hurt my tough guy image," But he chuckles at it.

"Oui. So we need a less marsupial solution."

"Well, there's no solution. I'll just see if I can get a toss from Stevi, satyrs are pretty understanding.. anyway I..." He stops "I gotta stop talking. See you around"

"Wait!"

He touches one side of his head, the ear she just yelled in "YES?"

She bounces to her feet and takes a moment to look.. ah, there! A potted daisy!

"For the Lovely Meter Maid. Doctor's orders."

"You think I should take this to Rheta?"

"Doctor's. Orders." She stresses.

"She's gonna wanna know WHY..." He says worriedly but he does take it