#earthrunes

A sigh. "You absolutely can. It's not what you think it is. It's not a promise of anything you can't give. It's the sensation of delight...which she then turns to Earl to fulfill."

"It would hurt Earl."

"There are limits. You don't do anything Zara doesn't want you to do. You respect Earl, but not to such an extent that you edge away from Zara, because then you'd lose Zara." She gestures to indicate the balancing act. "It's tricky, but it's doable. You'll have to make a concerted effort to learn how. It's not just about paying attention....though that's a good start."

"Well of -course- I would never push Zara to do something she didn't want to." Flabbergasted "Earl's been a good friend, very forgiving..... Zara and I are -friends-."

"I've hurt her before; I don't want to do it again. Yes, once she liked me that way but not any more. She and Earl are together. I missed my chance."

"And you need to understand that, in order to do that, you need to treat her as slightly more than friend, with a subtext of unrequited desire."

August shakes his head. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

"August...the bit before? Then touching fingers, not letting go until she lets go? That's the sort of thing I'm talking about. Little manners that token that you treasure her. Because you do. She is a treasured friend, and has been our treasured friend in the past. You will not violate her oath with Earl. But let her feel how valuable she is, through the strength of your touch and attention." A pause. "I wish you would trust me on this."

August frowns, thinking.

"Or...." An idea. "Court them both."

"It isn't that I don't trust you, Coradel. I'm just not sure ..... what??" From frowning to stunned blinking.

A smile at the reaction, and then she explains. "I'm not suggesting it end with everybody in bed. But court them. I mean...when you're with them, separately or together, give them your undivided attention, kittens or no. No distracted-professor moments, if you can help it."

August sits back weakly. "Good grief, Coradel...... paying attention to people isn't courting them. I mean, ok, it could be -part- of courting someone but...."

"It is the essence of courtship. And courtship is the essence of building relationship. Don't get hung up on the most common meaning of courtship, though that part is certainly fun. Courtship is about granting value to another person, making space for that person in your time and in your life." She leans back and looks at him. "You do know that you paid me more attention on a daily basis when we were courting than you do now?" A teasing look.

"I'm sorry, Coradel." Genuinely. "I didn't realize you were feeling neglected."

"I'm not!" she laughs. "It's inevitable. We have our lives together, and that's different from courtship, but a wonderful difference! We live more like intertwined cords, rather than strings that only occasionally intersect and rub against each other." She shakes her head, smiling. "You're not understanding."

"I -want- to. Understand, that is."

"I think...I think it'll take time." She puts her hands on his again. "For now...the hands. Keep them until she draws back. Then keep her eyes as much as possible. She'll let you know the boundaries...but she needs to know you need her."

"Okay......" dubiously.

"When I see her next. It could be a while."

"It may. Patience."

She leans over. "How's Curiosity?"

August looks.

Where IS Curiosity?

"She's...... gone?"

August looks around for her.

Coradel checks around her own feet.

"mew?" From above. When... how did she get up there?

"Ahhh....." August looks up. "Well."

Coradel blinks and looks up?

Somehow, she has gotten herself stuck... left paws on the door-frame, and right on the slightly open door itself.

August goes to rescue her.

Coradel rises as well. "She's a fearless thing," she notes with approval.

A squeaky noise as she's rescued.

"Should fit right in, then." Dryly.

He cuddles the little fuzzy against his chest.

A voice "Baron, Baroness?" Earl

"This is true."

Purrrrrrrrr

And she turns at the voice. "Earl? I thought you were painting?"

"I was. You've been talking for a bit I see." He says "I came to see if Curiosity wanted her blankie?" And a pause "And I think I just lost cool points saying that"

August looks over as well. "She has a blankie?"

"I don't think I ever had any cool points."

"You have your moments of awesomeness, actually, but I'm not sure either of us manage while actively seeking" Earl says. He has a Purple blankie with paw prints... and little murder scene outline designs both

"Oh, that's perfect for the little berserker."

"Thanks. Is there a room you want me to set it up in? If she's staying here.."

"I'll take it, Earl. If you like."

"Thank you" He hands it over

"Maybe the library? Libraries and cats are a thing, aren't they?"

"Well, she and Bronte seem to be tag buddies.." A shrug