#earthrunes

" but there is a way?"

"Oh yes... if the flaw is in his blood, then bleed him near to death and then use heatherbalms and spring magics.. it won't necessarily cure him but I suspect it would certainly give him a better chance. The other option is..well, beyond my power. It would require naming, a step into the Dreaming, and a fight to the death"

August absorbs this quietly. "Is there a way to help them strengthen their bond, to survive what is to come and allow them to honor each other?"

"Sir August...bending fate is not done lightly. Partiuclarly where hearts are done. But.. I dcould fair fortune one or both. I have no idea what form it would take"

He nods slowly. "I understand. Could you find them again if you needed to?"

"Now that I've done so, yes. " he says "It should be easier the more I do it."

August nods again, gravely. "Thank you. I must think on this. Will you excuse me?"

"Of course, Baron. Happy to have been of some help" He bows

And they part.

(End Scene)

.............................................

Vince is wandering the garden of Earth Runes. It is a glorious evening

August sits on a garden bench, pensively. A sheaf of papers in hand.

Shalimar sits down on the bench, bells jingling

August starts, having been lost in thought. "Oh! Ah. Hello."

"Hello, my lord. I was wondering, are you accpeting confessionals?"

A look flickers across his face. "I'm.... not qualified."

"Legal advice then? Would it be, just saying for a friend, a crime to perhaps mislead a young trainee?"

"Yes, of course it is." A frown. "There's a long standing and honored tradition.... a sacred tradition.... that anyone who's training someone has a duty to be true."

"Fortunately, she's being trained by House MewMew, not me" The Jester says.

August concentrates. "Captain Waveborn?"

"Yes, but as I am not an owner of fees, I can prank"

"An owner of...." Lost.

"Is the Captain in danger?"

"Depends on if she's allergic to cats"

A deep breath. "Shallimar.... please... help me understand?"

"Observe yon Morris"

August looks off into the distance for.... a .... Morris.

He looks back at Shallimar.

Vince might be in sight, or might not

Shallimar says "Pardon, lord, but like cheese in a colon, eventually this two may pass"

"Shalimar.... I'm sorry, I know I'm not good at this but.... "

"Tis all right, lord" A smile

A wistful sigh.

Shallimar changes the subject "how fares thy to do list?"

"Well. Some.... challenges."

"To be expected."

"you've a hard heart and a soft head lord, you'll be terrible"

August follows that most plain Pooka speak. "Ah. Thank you."

"Tis nothing, lord. "

Then fondly "Father knew you'd be a bad influence on his daughter, and now, you have her wrapped about your dioblicial finger"

August looks baffled again.

"The redhead who steals your underwear?"

The Liam FLUSHES.

"Ah. Well. I'm not sure what you mean by that."

"I see tears flowing from her cheeks everytime she looks at you. I see her leap up in the morning and look to avoid the sight of you in the halls. I am.." The pooka struggles, "Forever on your sofa, lord, for all the misery you bring to the one he cherished so openly"

His flush fades to a blush. "Ah. My.... I am much hers as she may be mine."

"irregardless," he says using a word that makes Grammarians shiver or froth, but Pooka can use freely, "I could care less about your happiness." A smile

A friendly pat. "Thank you."

A smile and the jester rises "Welkomen von baron" And he withdraws