#earthrunes

August's brow wrinkles. "Ah. Well. I... guess it's good she's..... thinking it through. Sooo.. what, ah, what is her plan? To deal with it?"

“Well...she’s still thinking it through. I suggested she ask Bachdion for advice. And she did go out for dinner, so I think she was planning on enjoying a good flirt...or more.”

August nods. Coradel might have the sense that while he accepts the state of things he doesn't really understand it. He's going to puzzle about this.

A loving smile. “She’s still figuring it out, August.”

He nods. "Okay. In her own time, I guess." And that seems to be that, for him.

She nods. "I think so. I told her that if we seem distant, we're not angry at her...we're just giving her space to think." Pause. "That doesn't mean you need to stay away, though, August. I mean...I spoke with her, and it was fine. You should feel free to speak with her, too."

He shrugs. "I don't want to add to any confusion."

"By giving her a chance to talk out her feelings? How would that add confusion? Seems to me, it would just help her find clarity. She can't figure this out in isolation."

This is a new perspective for him. "Ah."

"I.... suppose....."

"Now..." she indicates the swords "do you want to go again?"

He nods, setting aside his thoughts for the moment, and salutes her. En guard.

And she works with him, quietly, through two more rounds of the kata. Tak-tak-tak-tak....

He quickly settles into the drill, focusing..... and fade.

**********************
Later.............
August works carefully outside the Freehold of EarthRunes to fit the last of the things into his Prius, performing surgical car-Tetris. The trunk and back are completely full and the front passenger seat is getting a few last items. If he wants to put any more in, he'll have to roll down a window and drop things in that way.

"That... is a lot of stuff" Oswald observes. The thane troll's patrol would draw his attention, though when he saw it was Sir August he lowered his guard as he approached.

"Hello, Thane." The boy replies gently, closing the door. "I think that's it." He flashes a quick grin. "Last of the stuff from Kansas City."

"I guess it's too late to ask if you need help, sir." He says

"I appreciate the offer, though!"

"Fair enough.. if that's FROM Kansas city how..oh, you used the trod to bring it here and now are loading the car for the trip from here to your new house" Oswald says "I get it"

"I've been bringing things down by Trod and car for a while now, but -now- I have somewhere to -take- them all so....."

"Congratulations" Oswald says with a smile.

"Thank you." with quiet joy.

"Oh, Sir? Sorry to trouble you, but I was wondering, are your services for hire? Like... if I wanted a beatifully scripted birthday card or the like for a friend?"

"I would be honored." August turns to him.

"Thank you, nothing certain yet, just planning ahead you know?" Thane Oswald shrugs

"Of course! I think that's wise."

"Kind of you to say. I may come by later when I have decided somethings for sure, but I best get back on patrol"

"Of course. Good fortune." August nods seriously.

And Oswald is back on patrol leaving August and his car

August makes his way around to the driver's side, and will get in to take things to the house on Independence unless.....?

No one stops him, August gets in the car, and begins to drive to his new house.

(Assuming he gets there?)

August starts unloading the car into the house, with the wondering pride of a new house.... ah, renter.

It's a great house, and August sees a guy walking by , jogging it seems. Poor guy is a bit on the tubby side and clearly new to jogging but he's got the right shoes for it. He's maybe a bit younger than August, and when he sees him, he waves huffing and puffing

August waves back, friendly, but with arms full.

"you... you need help?" The guy asks

"Oh, no thank you. I've got it. Moving in." with a proud grin.

"Yeah? Your parents couldn't help you?" Apparenly assuming August is part of a family

"I'm, ah, moving in with my, ah, girlfriend." A blush, but still proud.

"Wow... you must be really doing well" he says, "Oh geez, listen to me, first I like, totally get your age wrong and then I talk about you probably being well off. Apologies." He offers his hand, "I'm Clifford." He adds, "Please, no dog jokes."

August wiggles a hand free and shakes. "August Rachford."

"Good to meet you... let me know if you change your mind. Lifting seems like a relief after the jogging excercise anyway"

August feels something..stir under the obese young man's skin.

A faint frown and August says.... "Actually... ah, would you mind taking some of this? Just up the stairs to the door?"

"No problem, man," Clifford says "I offered right." He looks at things, "What's big enough to look impressive but light enough I won't embarrass myself?"

August puts a few things from his own armload into Clifford's, and then actively Kenns him.

Oh yeah, fae soul under there.

August swallows, and opens the front door. "Ok, so... if it's alright with you, can I take these things inside and come back for the rest?"

"Hey, you want some water?"