#earthrunes

"My mistake. I'm terribly sorry. Please for.... forgive me." August goes on one knee, eyes down. "I retract everything and apologize most sincerely." He speaks quietly.

OOC I had intended it to be a bare room, only carpet, but....

OOC: Edited then 🙂

BIC: "August, please stop the..kneeling.." She looks pained by it, "I.. I was in a ..not great mood when you picked me up and ...clearly I misunderstood. SO you were not trying ot...provide for me? Or make me a kept woman?"

He stands as bid, eyes downcast still. "I didn't see you were out of sorts, and that's inexcusable. I am not trying to keep you... but yes, I am trying to provide for you, at least on some small level." Quietly.

"August... let's break that down... first part.. 'I didn't know youwere out of sorts and that's inexcusable'.. WRONG.. you're not a mind reader do not beat yourself up about that... second part 'I'm not trying to keep you' GOOD to know..and I needed to hear it... and 'Here to provide on some small level' ... well, WHY are you trying ot provide for me? When you know I Have...so much ?"

August has a stubborn set to what's visible of his jaw. He is apparently taking time to find his answers.

"I was not sensitive to your mood, and that's not what I wish to be. To you or anyone else. I've hurt people before that way and I will learn from my mistakes."

"Well, you're not perfect and you're not telepathic and sometimes folks hurt each other without realizing it. That's just life. You learn, yes, but don't castigate yourself..." Then she adds "Please. "

"I will remember that." Evenly.

"And the last part? WHY are you trying to provide for me?"

A more stubborn silence until he says. "Because I should."

"And..." with a careful inhale, "why do you think you should?"

He looks at her blankly. "Because.... this is a relationship and .... it should be balanced."

"Balanced, this is not some macho bullshit thing with you basically saying 'me man, me hunt, gather w ood, provide for woman in cave unga bunga' stuff?"

A long pause. "I would like for it to be balanced."

A suspicious look, "I notice you ignored the question part."

"Yes. There is part of me that feels that as a man, I have a responsibility to provide. Yes." August actually sounds sullen, though at what might be up for question.

"Well, I don't know if I care for that dynamic" She says with a huff "If I ever get lucky like you two and get a trueheart, then maybe I'd be thinking it was okay, but as a lover to you both it seems... patronizing to me or worse, controlling and I.. I freaked a bit."

"That was not my intent, and I apologize." A bit tightly.

Coradel sighs. "Yes...this is what I thought it was, on both sides. But Leonora...even though you and I are both capable of caring for ourselves, we need to respect August's needs to be a provider, as well. In balance, at least."

"I.." She looks at Coradel, "But I... strong independent woman who don't need no man?" A bit lamely

"Don't need...but can certainly enjoy." She tilts her head curiously. "Leo, what's going on? You said you were upset before this all started...?"

A guilty look, "You're right. I... I'm sorry, August. Just because I don't need somethings doesn't mean I shouldn't enjoy things in the spirit offered, and it was wrong of me to 'go there' without talking to you. It's sweet and I am.. I should not make you feel bad for indulging in your desires, even in your desire to provide."

Coradel looks to August...and absolutely feels that she should be getting a medal for resisting the urge to say I told you so.

He nods, watching the floor.

Coradel watches August a moment, then looks back to Leonora. "Before this happened...what had you upset?"

"Okay, for the record so August knows... I did not just say that apology to dodge a question. I really do mean it." Then a bite of her lip "Is this an order, my liege? Because otherwise i... think I'll keep it to myself"

A concerned frown. "Leonora?" She reaches out to touch her hand. "It's...not an order, but...oh, lover, how can we help?"

And Leo trembles and almost yanks her hand away

then calms

Coradel nearly pulls her hand back, but doesn't.

"I...I'm worried that I... I shouldn't have started thinking about it... that's all. Our relationships, my relationships... I got thoughtful and I..." She pats Coradel's hand, "No, you and August BOTH deserve the truth."

She rises slowly and goes to the center of the room.

Coradel glances at August, then watches Leonora with concern.

"The last week or so I've been thinking how great it would be to have what you two have... oh I love our threesome, but you know what i mean...one3 who makes me their other half? "

August glances up, watching Leonora.

A flicker of a smile at that, and a nod for Leo to continue.

"Then I realized... I have other loves, Vince, Bachdion, a few fellows who might not want to be named..." A glance to Coradel "Have you ever known me to sleep with another woman besides yourself? Just me and that woman together?"

Coradel considers. "No, come to think of it. Though I never thought the option was off the table for you."

"That's the funny thing... I joke about how I drank the water at Firnost, but while I've done a three some where a girl and I share a guy, the only other woman I've gone one on one with is.. .well, you." Leo said, "And when August got kidnapped, I was angry..so angry for him. WHen you went after him.. I was grateful, and proud... but Coradel? I also got a bit scared... actual fear, no matter how small, that you would be hurt." then guiltily to August "I'm sorry, August."

and she lets that sink in

He looks confused.

A moment, and a gentle smile. "Leonora...I'm...honored. And...I understand." A sigh. "So...that makes things complicated, I suppose."

"I think.. I need to make sure this isnt' what it could be... I don't want to stop seeing you two, but maybe I should cut down on the..frequency?"

"Just until I get some ..things sorted out"

She notes August's expression and gives him a tender smile. "Leonora...I could explain more clearly to August...but I think you should."

"I was hoping to avoid that" Leonora makes a face, then says "August. I may have broken the one big rule in this situation. You understand?"Hoping that's enough to catch on

The lines on his forehead are deep.... he thinks. Then, "Oh."

"MAY have" she stresses, "I adore you both, and would never ever want to hurt you or come between you.."