#earthrunes

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Some are plucking the hang over chimeras from their foreheads

the horrid little things giggle in voices that sound like high pitch dental drills

The privilege of rank -- when Coradel and August emerge from their room, no such chimera linger about them. Coradel has long ago learned to have a stock of Delores's hangover biscuits on hand for just such occasions.

And, in fact, in search of a light meal.

They find it, and Leonora, dining in a solarium

"August, let's bring Leonora breakfast in bed. It's high time we all....oh! Well, so much for that notion." She goes to Leonora and kisses her cheek. "Good morning. How was your Samhain night?"

August nods to the lady. "Leonora... I hope your Samhain was as pleasant as possible?"

She claims a seat alongside, leaving one for August to do the same.

August seats himself.

"I don't remember enough to be sure, but I think so"

She returns the kiss on the cheek, "You two?"

August frowns slightly as he puts his napkin in his lap. "We seem to be whole."

"I feel rather well exercised." A smile and a bit of a stretch, and an appreciative look to her husband.

She can still make him pink.

And she's clearly pleased by that fact. She waves over a passing boggan and asks for a tea service, a jug of mimosa, and light breakfast fare.

"I'm glad." Lenora says with a smile

"I don't know how to apologize enough for.. well the bedlam behavior"

A pause "Did I apologize last night? I don't remember"

"It doesn't matter, Leonora." Quietly. "You have apologized, and it's been accepted. When you're ready to talk, we will. If you apologized or not last night..." A shrug.

"I'm not sure, but who can rely on one's Samhain memories."

"In fact, if you're willing now, this seems the perfect time."

"Well, I feel like I owe you each three more, but thank you. ANd. .sure.. talk. I'll listen."

August sighs slightly.

Coradel rests a hand on one of Leonora's, then looks to August before she begins. "Leonora, the situation before got so complicated. I know I'm ready for us to resume our enjoyment of each other, but...well, I agree with August that it's best if we have a clear understanding of what that means."

"You framed it as boundaries, right, August?"

Leonora nods slowly

"I would like to know how we got here." He says slowly.

Leonora eats her food.

Then swallows "I'm sorry?"

A bemused look at August's statement.

He sips his tea. "I said, I would like to know how we got here. I'm sorry I'm slow about these things. I don't think it comes as naturally to me as to you." He means both ladies. "As far as I know, it started when I suggested we use the downstairs room at the house...." the Rachford's married residence "... to host, ah, each other when we wanted to be together... and Leonora, you seemed to find offence at that."

"Yes, you said it made you feel 'kept'...which was never the intent."

She gently squeezes Leo's hand.

"oh god," She groans "We're gong that far back? I thought that at least was settled"

"Look, for me, it started when I had panic attack over Coradel dying... felt real fear for her, but not you, August. Not at that time. That made me think I had actually fallen in love"

"And THAT hurt you, and I also knew it wasa time to back up, because I am not an oath wrecker"

"That's when everything went to hell" She says

August glances at Coradel, then back to Leonora. "Which time she almost died?"

A bemused look. "The accident, the hospital, I think that's it."

"Not crazy about the time she went off to deal with paler and rescue you" She says "At that time, Iwas more worried for her than you, August. It was an imbalance, and it offended you"

"The accident with Mahalia?"

Leo sighs

and shushes and waits.

August thinks. "How did it offend me, Leonora? I'm sorry to have to ask."

"I think I'm in bedlam again" She says worried

"Yes, that one."

"August, I told you I thought I loved your wife, and not you. I don't claim to know WHY it offended you exactly, but you seemed offended. "

"You're not, Leonora. August has a strange way of sorting things out sometimes, but...try to answer?"

"How can I? We can't even agree on when this started"