#earthrunes

"No, I'm pretty sure there's no devil at the meeting spot of 'Cross and Rhodes'"

Crossroads August mentally, if absently, corrects.

Mmm this one has a nice sleek modern style.

"Okay. Yes...I'll see you later tonight. We'll netflix and chill"

The guy hangs up muttering something about maybe it's time to find a new girlfriend.

August stares at a display and tries to decide if he made the right ring design choices.

He's not sure.. and..

Earl comes up "Hey thanks I think I found one that will go great with a cumberbund and..everything okay?"

He nods. "Yes, I think so. I'm not sure. Probably."

"You found one you like? What is she wearing, do you know?"

"It'll have purple in it ,I know that much." he says "I got something I hope will be a good compliment"

August nods. "Then you want a purple cumberbund and tie."

"Flowers?"

"I have to have a corsage, but Humphrey is helping me with that"

August nods. "Ok, good. Ah. Who's Humphrey?"

"The new gardener... for Earth Runes? You didn't know? "

"Well, I don't spend a lot of time in the gardens. Going through them, sometimes.... But, if he's working with Miss Emma, then I'm sure he's a good guy."

"Oh he's doing some lovely work, very fairy tale... which is weird for me to say. He's not very social though"

August shrugs. "To each his own."

"Yeah. I think I need to hang around extroverts so I can be the introverted one again"

(Pause)

August offers a nervous smile. "I understand. Ok, so... you've got everything you need?"

"What about shoes?"

"Shoes I've got" he says "How's it here?"

"I mean, the rings and stuff?"

August gives him a look that's a little ill. "Ah. That. Well. I, ah, I thought I had some designs but now I'm rethinking it. Not sure. I think maybe I should talk to Coradel."

"August? Are you okay?" he notices the look.

He nods. "Just, you know...." He sighs. "I know you can keep confidences, so please......"

"I forgot to propose."

"Oh. " a blink "That's... is she expecting a proposal? I mean... you guys are moving intogether so I can see why given your faith." A shrug

"Earl... I took it for granted." Pinpointing the problem. "Would Zara stand for that, if you guys were where Coradel and I are?"

"Not...llikely" He admits "Then again I don't always know her as well as I Think. I can misjudge. But ah..yeah I think I see why you're looking a bit uncertain." He bites his lip "I Know you love her. And she loves you."

"Yes. I just want the rings to be -right-....." He looks at the Chimerical ring on his left hand.

"Have you thought of a custom design?"

"I mean..they can be handmade"

He nods. "I did some designs but now I think they were -wrong- and...." he looks around "Let's head for the car." A sheepish smile.

"Ah yeah, sure" After purchases and so on they head for the car, once they are in, "Okay. What do you think is wrong with the dsigns?

"

He sighs as he keys the Prius on. "I was stupid." resignedly "Red and white gold entwined with sapphire accents and some oak and lioness imagery."

"It's a bit busy for a ring, but I'm not sure why it's stupid"

"Worked out over three rings, really but... we're not marrying our Houses! We're marrying each other! Again." The Sidhe thinks as he works through traffic. "The third time, kind of. Anyway."

"Kind of yes," He ponders "Okay, forget about houses... forget about dynasties... what does Coradel like? Diamonds? Moonstones? Pearl? What does she prefer when she's not trying to match fiona colors or what not?"

Sheepish silence.

"You're not sure what her favorite stones are? or the like? Oh wow. Mmm"

Increasingly desperate sheepish silence.

"I'm sure I -did-....."

"You did in THIS life or the before time?"

"In Arcadia."

"We were together longer, there!" Defensively. "We had two children....."

"Okay, easy. I'm not chastising.. it's just if you knew in this world then it was a matter of stress that you were forgetting. Instead it's a matter of mists, and that's harder. " Sympathetic "Trust me... stress is enough. Sometimes I worry so much about Zara and I I don't know my middle name"

"I get that...." pause "What -is- your middle name?"