#earthrunes

Bachdion looks about for a certain Lion.

He eventually finds a certain Lion in the gardens. He is reclining by one of the pools while the slender grey snake slips in and out of the water dappled by the shade of surrounding plants, reveling in her new ill-gotten fins and gills. Vince has a notepad in his lap and twirls a pen in his fingers as he glares at the blank expanse of pristine paper. There is also a bottle of wine, most of which appears to be already in the lion.

"Are you all right, my friend?" The saytr says taking a seat nearby

"Hmm?" He glances up, and his annoyed visage gives way to a smile, and he offers the bottle over to Bachdion. "Ah, I knew you were coming, so I saved you a splash of the 2014 Riesling. Odd, the bottle says 2012 and appears to be a Merlot. "I am just finishing my notetaking from the recent journey. As you can see, I'm so filled with ideas that I just can't find a place to start. I remember a book... but I must just be mistaken, because who would ever mistake a lion for a scribe?"

"Past life perhaps, friend? Skills from it?"

"I dare say, there is nothing quite so satisfying as hearing tales of ones exploits 2nd or 3rd hand and then trying to recall if it happened or not. I finally think I know how the lesser kiths feel, dealing with Pooka."

He reaches out and gives a reassuring pat on the man's shoulder. "Never you worry, Satyr are almost nearly as good."

"Dare to dream," He pats Vince on the shoulder back, "I can't say I know HOW you feel, but I do know the frustration of going to the Dreaming, touching something great..and then not even remembering anything but the vague sensation it WAS amazing. Frustrating"

"Alas, alack." He agrees, setting the pad aside. "How did you fare in my absense? Pining away for the fjords?"

"Actually, while I tried to help a few folks who were missing all of you- I also looked in on a certain queen."

"Ah, the Queen to our Toms. How is our good and kind Majestic Ruler faring?" Sounding nonchalant, but his eyes light up with the mention.

"Healthy and happy," He takes a sip of the wine and sets it down, "And honestly, maybe I'm imagining it, but they sure show signs of looking like their fathers"

A delighted grin. “Oh, that’s the most terrible news of all. How can the world stand another such as the pair of knaves most despised throughout the land!”

"Well, the omens repeat again and again... they're destined to join us in later years" He says "I had the seer double check"

His eyes sparkle

“Pray, is it just an inkling, or is there a way to tell for certain if such depravity has taken a deep root within? Though I swear if it has not, I shall at once turn my back and disown their very presence.”

"You big furball, you'd coo over them no matter what. Aye."

“Ahhhh! Now then if the Almondine has proven to not just be another nutter, this IS cause for celebration!” Alas, his expression drops into one that would win accolades in any dramatic tragedy as he gazes upon the nigh empty bottle.

"Oh no" A sigh "Well, there goes all joy"

Then a wink.

“I do not Coo, SIRRAH, for that is a pigeon’s wont and I shall not hold a coup upon their coo. I do perfectly well with the sounds of mine own purrrrrrsuasion.”

"Of course, how silly, coups are for military juntas"

“Did you happen upon their mortal monikers? I wouldst drink to their health, but as I was advised to let them be, I swear I’ve not so much as set foot upon the city in which they reside.”

The satyr grins "Ah... you sly do.. err cat. I have better than that. Care to see pictures?"

“You cannot but claim they are better than mine own.” A sheepish look, and he pulls out a wallet, and carefully unfolds a picture. It is candid, not a closeup, but shows a lady (one Susan) at a park, smiling as she pushes a double stroller. Just a faint glimpse can be seen if waving hands and a summer-bared foot within, and the quality is poor, printed on paper rather than taken to a photo shop. It is creased and kept with care.

“I am a lowly beast indeed.”

"Oh nice.. look at this one" one of the baby's supping from a milke shake... and Vince's favorite flavor no less! The baby's face is rapture

"Awwwwwwwww." Despite his refutation, he DOES coo indeed. "And where did she find a tunafish milkshake? A genius! A savant!" Er, it might be strawberry.

"Greasers, of course."

A soft snort as he cradles the picture gently. "Bachdion, what a gift you have given me. I shall never forgive you."

A smile, "least I could do while you were saving the others out there, friend. Besides. I've got plenty of copies"

He beams back and throws an arm around the satyr with a bear- er, lion? hug. "Thank you, my friend, for holding down the fort."

A good back thump then "Coradel was hurting for a bit, my friend. She is a creature of great love as you know"

"Alas, if I only had arrived back a week or two earlier to kiss it better. I dare say she'll be enraptured with sharpening her claws on the Branch of Truth for some time now." A sigh, though he smiles. "See how I mourn."

"Great huge tears..." A nod "manly ones, of course."

He poses. "Only the manliest! Come now, such news deserves a drink. Or Two! And one for the seer as well - now HE would be a fun one to get into his cups, and ask him to predict the future through the bottom of a bottle. Alas, twould be a fair foul way to thank him for his predictions. Maybe just three or four drinks." Offering his arm to Bachdion. "To the bar?"

"Or the Batcave, which ever is first"

They lock arms and head that way

(End scene)