#earthrunes

The sadly handsome boy smiles softly and crouches again to welcome the cat. "Hello."

BONK.

Earl rolls his eyes. But does smile a bit "Ah, to confess, we found curiosity in the Dreaming."

"Of course you did." He pets.

She arches her back to meet the hand, pacing back and forth.

"Earl? Didst thou find her?" A lilting whisper from the hall.

August looks up immediately.

"She's adopted August, we're free" Earl says 'joking'

Zara appears, and smiles. "Well, mayhaps Earth Runes would be a good home for her?"

"Hello, August."

"Hello, Zara." With a gentle smile.

She returns the smile, mostly in the crinkle of her eyes.

"Isn't Curiosity delightful? She followed us home."

"Well, I did set up a litter box here, not in the library of course"

"We cannot leave her without assuring care..."

As curiosity brushes against August, Earl says "I know, I know."

"I will care for her."

"Oh, would you? That would be wonderful! Thank you, you are a dear."

"I was a bit worried about introducing her to Frisby..."

Earl bends down and pets the cat without thinking about it, "See... you don't just have me to bully anymore"

Curiosity stretches up on her hind legs, catching his hand with a paw when he threatens to stop petting.

"Of course, if you wish..."

"Not if it is any burden..."

"My schedule is better this semester. No classes on Fridays... and the trod has gotten more reliable..."

"We thought maybe if she could roam Earth Runes it would be okay" Earl admits

"She was living wild before, I think..."

Curiosity has her paws on a shelf, leeeaannning in to sniff at some parchment.

"She lives up to her new name" Earl says

A hop, and she's ON the shelf.

"Well, you named her well."

"I didn't name her, I spoke a word and she stole it" He protests

"Pfft."

"She, and you, are always welcome."

"How are you, August? " Earl says with a smile

A little smile.

"Well!"

"Any good projects?" Zara noses about the desk.

Earl looks amused as Zara and the cat show some commonalities