#earthrunes

"Part of why I chrysalized late - eighteen!"

"I was a senior in high school."

"And boxed in? " He ponders then "Rough family life?"

"Something like that. My family was... religious."

"Conservative."

"Ouch. That.. well, I mean, I know some good people who follow a religion, and some who are conservative and not all bad but the way you say it... worse parts of each?"

"Well..." She considers. "Well, there was little room in their beliefs to allow me to both love who I wished, and to be loved by my parents at the same time."

"I'm sorry" Camillus is a sympathetic fellow. "It's... you know, my social anxiety? I worry about what STRANGERS think of me... and was so afraid to interact that I guarenteed I'd not fit in. Glad you have found this place then. Folks who get you"

She nods. "I'm glad to be here, too."

"And maybe now that you know who you were meant to be, it'll be easier to be proud of it."

A smile, " think maybe I will"

"I'm sure of it!"

"Not all f us are so smooth as Bachdion... okay, noone is..."

He laughs "He is really smooth isn't he? Like some silver screen actor who still has it"

She nods. "He's something else. Jack is more low-key. Oh, a pity you didn't get to meet Sassy..." Wistful sigh.

"She hot?" He asks then blushes "Sorry, my mind has three settings"

August sticks his head in. "Derynwydd, did I hear....?"

"Oh, Sir August. We're in here"

"Hello Camillus. I'm glad you found Derynwydd."

"Oh, Sassy is beautiful... hair like black silk..." She trails off.

A cough. "Hi August."

"I remember Sassy." August volunteers. "Hello, Derynwydd."

"We were just talking. I was thinking we could kenn his mother?"

August thinks about it, nods. "I suppose so. Why?"

"See if she's kinain. Mitigate the risks, decide if enchantment is desirable."

Apparently Camillus is now trying to picture Sassy then he says "oh... yeah.. what she said"

August nods soberly. "Is there reason to think she might be kinain?"

"That's why I wanted to kenn. She's a blood relative..."

"Hoping mostly?" The satyr says " Imean. I'd like a reason to tell her"

"Hmm." August's expression goes a little awkward but he nods. "Ok. Do you want to, Deryn, or shall I?"

"We could go together?"

"I could introduce you guys if you need a cover and want to meet her?"

"Oh, right - you live near their new place. That could work."

"Mundanely, Aug, did we agree on cousins or siblings?"

"You're Coradel's cousin." He nods.

"Oh wait, I'm Coradel's cousin, that's right. The hair."

He smiles fondly and nods.

"You both have great hair" A sigh of happiness

"Yes, we could go together if you like. Have you seen the new place?"

"No! I want to!"

"You're renting or buying? I was thinking maybe a housewarming mural..."

"you paint?"

She grins, like sunshine, and her feather fluff in happiness. "I do. I'm an artist."

"I think you're in danger of approaching perfection:" he says

"Well, let's use that as a cover story, anyway and I'll show you the place while we're there." August has his keys in hand.

"Great! And, oh, you're sweet Cam. I am so far from perfect." A peck on the cheek.

BLUSH And he seems to forgot about the world

"Let's go!"

August chuckles and leads the way..... then comes back and gets Camillus. "Come on, we're getting in the car with her....."

"Oh right!" Yanked along