#earthrunes

Coradel straightens again. "She has been appropriately punished," she says easily and sips her tea. "What cue?"

He frowns. "Earl said she wanted to talk about how things are going at Vassar. The local baron, and a professor she has that works for him that she doesn't care for."

"And..."

"And I didn't catch it. He said I was hyperfocused. I was distracted by the cat."

"So...this cat has diverted your attention from both me and Zara? Hm. I may need to see about recruiting her into House Fiona."

August can't help a chuckle. "Not from you, no. I didn't realize Zara wanted to talk. I mean.... she has Earl to talk to."

Strreeeetttccchhhh. She rolls on her back, showing off a white tum with one little gray spot "belly button"

"Anyway, she left and Earl wouldn't tell me where she is so I can't go apologize." A shrug.

August reaches down and strokes the soft fur with one finger.

The belly is a trap!

Though her bite isn't hard - more of a play attack.

"Be patient. There will be time. There always has been."

She watches him endanger his digits. My brave love.

After a moment, she ventures, "I have you...but I speak with others as well. Bachdion, Vince...."

August smiles at the attack, letting her savage him. "That's what Earl said...." Then he looks up with a wry expression. "Speak with them?"

She catches the look, and gives him raised eyebrows, as if there's an equation he has left unfinished.

"..... among other things." He agrees.

A nod, but still that expression, as if he's missing a link.

"What?"

"Oh, my love...." She squeezes his hand gently. "She has Earl. But she needs you, too. Never undervalue that."

"I suppose. Although I think Earl has better insight thank I do."

"Perhaps."

"But she still desires you."

August strokes the back of her knuckles with the fingers she holds. "No. Not like that, she doesn't. But that's ok."

A sigh. "I might argue that, but I won't. But she desires your attention. Your fascination. Sometimes you are absolutely accommodating in that regard. Sometimes...not so much, especially if a cat interferes, apparently."

"I wasn't expecting a kitten....."

"And Zara couldn't compete. Imagine how that might have felt?"

August frowns. "I already feel terrible about it, Coradel."

"I blame the cat," she says easily with a shrug.

"It's not her fault. It's mine." Scowling.

She puts down her teacup. "Then what do we do about it from here on?"

"For I'll not lose our librarian."

"Velvet is fine, but I'm very fond of Zara's way of keeping things there."

"I won't let it happen again."

A gentler look. "May I suggest...?"

"Of course." He still looks troubled.

She takes his hands in both of hers, the lightest cradling of fingers. And she locks her eyes on his. "Take her hands, if she'll let you. I think she has before. And do not let go until she pulls away. Let her make that decision. Earl will understand if it is her decision. Keep her fingers for as long as she'll let you...that will remind you where to focus. It should seem obvious, but sometimes touch reminds our brains when they forget what should be obvious."

August nods slowly. "I can do that."

Coradel nods, and then adds, "When she pulls away, allow it, but with the slightest resistance. Try..." and she slowly pulls her fingers back from his, her eyes still watching his.

He keeps very gentle pressure on her fingers, just for a moment, just long enough that it can be felt.

A smile. "Yes...like that. Lovely."

He nods again. "I will."

Her hands retrieved, she pensively rests her chin on her delicate knuckles, observing him. "I forget, August...have you read Andreas Capellanus? Art of Courtly Love?"

He thinks. "I -think- Bachdion mentioned it; I think he assigned excerpts but I have not read the whole thing."

She nods. "It's an essential Fiona text. I'm rereading it as I prepare to lead Siv through it." A grin. "I may ask our librarian to make sure we have some extra copies."

"I suppose I should, now."

"I think you'll find it full of intriguing exercises."

August nods soberly.

"And August..." her voice quiet as they speak close "...she does want to be courted. She is unavailable, but she wants to be courted. Most women do, I believe. Probably most men, too."

He looks somewhat horrified. "I can't do that."