#earthrunes

"Mm yes I did," He sighs "Okay maybe.. "

"Long story short, i thought I'd do something nice, she's been griping about the wall color in one room, said it got faded, weak... and I thought "hey... I'll paint it myself and surprise her"

August nods....

"Oh she was.. not pleased. I asked if she didn't like the color.. because I thought she liked that color... and she said I was insensitive.. how am I insensitive for picking a color she likes?"

August looks baffled too. "Did she say what -was- wromg?"

"Just that she resented me turning her into the bad guy and how I don't pay attention to her" Baffled

"It doesn't make sense to me...."

Jack looks over and shakes his head at them

"Maybe she meant to do the whole room, not just a wall?"

"Maybe, but why complain about just that wall?"

A helpless shrug.

"Coradel and Leonora did most of our house..."

"Yeah, well see? I stood up, and get growled at."

Jack says "Youth is wasted on the young. You two really don't get it?"

August turns. "No. Do you?" Lost.

"First, i don't want to assume anything, but I think Claire was hinting that she'd like to do that with you. She's a physical lady, probably thought it would be nice to do as a couple. Second, it doesn't matter you got her favorite color, you got it without asking her what color she'd want that wall. I'm not saying ALL Ailil are control freaks, but it probably didn't help either"

"Oh." Magnus blinks "THAT bothered her?"

"I don't know, but you might want to find out" Jack says

August still looks puzzled.

"I should have asked her her opinion on the color before the painting, and if she wanted me to do it for her..." Slowly, as if processing this, Mangus double checks with Jack.

Jack says "COULD be"

"Really?" baffled.

"What part do you not agree with?" Jack says

"I don't disagree, I just don't understand why that would be such a big issue." Then he sighs. "But, there is a lot I don't understand."

"oh she might be looking for a fight," Jack says "maybe something else is bugging her?"

August looks at Magnus.

"Looks like I've got more than one case to work on" he sighs "Thanks, Jack. I think." A sip of his tea

August follows suit.

"Well, dad unless you need to talk about something else? I should get to work"

"I appreciate the time and effort, Magnus. Let me know how I can return the favor." (🚗 )

A smile "Deal" And they part

(End scene)

Lady Sparrow is painting, with a snoozing Ladybird at her side.

A soft tap at the door.

"Whoof," quoth LadyBird.

"Come in, it's open."

Oswald says "Guest for you, Regent"

And Thane Oswald opens the door, "Regent Derynwydd, may I present Sir Franklyn King ap Liam"

"Sir Frank!" She's up to her feet, beaming.

The Liam knight bows at the door. "My Lady."

He straightens, and smiles. "It is good to see you."

Oswald moves to the side and out of the way lest he get trampled on by the nobility

"It is! How are you?" Fluffy feathers, and she squeezes him with a hug.

"We have coffee. I had coffee... oh, wait, no, that's paint." Checking mugs.

Oswald says "Ah, should I return to my duties, Regent? So you two can talk?"

"Oswald, could you be a dear and ask Delores for some coffee?"

He hugs her back, a gentle giant, and chuckles in a way that makes the chest rumble. "I'm fine, Sparrow."

"Of course" He says and goes to do so

"But you are here"

"I am. With apologies, and a letter."