#earthrunes

Shady Lady [5:49 PM]
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An aside...........
August invites Leonora for a drive, 30 minutes or so, from the manor. If she likes.

"Oh...sure" Leonora says. "If you like"

A drive, later, then... a cul de sac in Jefferson City on Independence.... August hands her out to a split-level house. He grins.

A bit more of a smile, "Wait, is this it?"

"This is the house Coradel and I have, yes."

""Well, open the door let's see, please"

"C'mere." He leads her around the back of the unfenced property to an exterior basement door, and opens that to lead her into a carpeted space. There is a wood-stove brick-space without the stove on one wall. And a small bedroom/half-bath off of there. Stairs lead up.

Leonora looks around

"So, ah.... So, Coradel and I talked and ... well, we're still trying to figure how but... well.... I thought... maybe this space could be... you know. For others. To stay. You. Hers. Like that." Nervous.

"Oh..." A pause "Oh! August... I have a place." She reminds, "More than one."

"I know."

"I didn't... " A growing (even horrified) realization. "Not for ... you know, good, forever just... for... us?"

"For... our moments?"

"And, and, and for ... if Coradel... or if we all...."

"I..." She actually back peddles a bit "I .. August I should go. I don't... this is lovely it is I just... I'm not ..."

She had seemed a bit melancholy at the start of this, then perked to see the new place, but now she seems upset. Disturbed.

"Oh. God. I'm sorry. Of course. Can I take ... or... call a lift? " He seems quietly horrified. "I'm sorry."

"No no... this.. I'm... this makes it seem like... I appreciate both of you, more than you know but I'm not a... I'll call an uber." And she darts out the door.

August stands in the basement, lost, chagrined, and embarrassed.

And an uber carries someone away.

Later, August leaves. There is a delivery of flowers involved, and a confession.

*********************

A long wait actually, not right away at all then...

The trip to the pent house goes quickly enough. Though security eyes August curiously as if wondering how he got here. Coradel? Not so questioned and her presence gives the Middle Class Liam a pass.

Coradel is gracious enough with security, but she's not nearly as borderline-flirtatious as she usually is. She's focused on getting to the penthouse, and waits impatiently for Leonora to open the door.

The door unlocks with a bzzt...

and they find Leonora dressed in...well, there is no such thing as an elegant romper in the view of some folks but this one tries. And it is made of fine material. "My liege" she bows then nods "Sir August."

Coradel tilts her head a bit at the formality of the address, but only says, "Dame Leonora," giving a gracious nod. Then, "May we enter?"

"Of course" She looks away from August's gaze and moves to the bar "Can I get either of you something to drink?"

August looks as if he were.....elsewhere.

"No thank you." Quietly.

The pent house is opulent, rather modern, and screams 'Trust Fund Brat with some taste'

"Not just now, no. Maybe in a bit." She enters the living room and stands there.

August.... looks scolded.

"Is this regarding my behavior with Sir August?" Leonora can't out 'contrite' August, but sure gives it the old college try.

August....cringes.

A look from one to the other, and a sigh. "It's about a misunderstanding that I think you both have parts in. Leo...may we sit and talk, please?" Trying to relax the formality. "As friends?"

August nods and takes a seat.

"I... I wanted another day to ...sort things out. "

"I can understand that," Coradel takes a seat, close to but not directly next to August. "But if things need to be sorted out, I think it's best that everything be understood clearly...and from what I'm gathering, that's not the case."

"I.. I told August before that I didn't need a place, that he didn't need to feel bad. And...I thought he had listened." SHe takes a breath "So I showed up, thinking 'oh this is a tour of your two's new home, how lovely' and then... I.....then he made his ...he showed me where I would be staying and..." She lowers her head. She look shamed. "I think perhaps I've given out the wrong signals"