#earthrunes

August sees many strange things in his days. But stopping by his study to find his favorite chair occupied - by a Lion pooka clad in a voluminous fluffy-trimmed velour bathrobe and matching slippers, twiddling a half empty wine glass in one hand, and with the stem of a rose drooping from the corner of his mouth - THAT is a new one.

So much so that the studious clerk actually steps back out to check that.... same hall and.... yep, right door and.... "Vince?"

He glances up and sets down his glass, straightening his collar. Well, such as it is, the robe actually gapes with quite a bit of chest showing. "Oh, fair scribe. Please, do step into my office." He gestures familiarly to a chair.

August does enter and sets down his folder of papers before sitting. "What brings you?"

"Dear Liam, have I offended thee?"

"No." a blink.

"Then you have moved on, fickle-hearted one, and replaced me in your affections."

"I... don't think that's possible, Vince." soberly.

"They say politics make strange bedfellows." He sips his wine morosely. "That must be it. Politics, that flirtatious flower, she has taken my place. For something is in the air... and you are walking about with that look on your face, mm, the one where your forehead crinkles just so. Twas it a new lover, surely you'd have introduced me. Or, a problem that needed resolution, why, thy bartender is the best counselor. But if it is neither, then surely, I have given some offense, that you have not approached me, that I shall slice through that gordian knot with a cheese knife and serve it with a fine merlot. Alas, I am drinking alone."

August takes a long moment to think about what to say. And what was said. And what it might mean.

"I..... think.... you may be approached. Later. By another. And .... perhaps after a time we can talk about..... some things. But right now, I'm not at liberty."

"Liberty, is that her name? The one who has stolen thy affections away?" A swirl of his glass, tossed back, and he reaches for the bottle, but finds it empty. "Ah... twice betrayed..."

"No, I'm not at liberty to say more." He does sound apologetic. "I'm afraid I don't have anything here except water...."

"This Liberty is a cruel mistress to come between brothers." A sad look, and he cradles the empty bottle. "Twas once upon a time when we might meet a lady, troublesome or no, to tackle hand in hand. And lo, she would not leave that troubled look upon thy brow."

"It... it's not a lady....." a glimmer of comprehension ".... ah....Vince, when I -can- say something, I will."

And joy dawns over his face like the sun rising. "My dear, that is all I ask. Tis not fair for you to keep this saucy one to yourself, not when she occupies so much of thy time."

"Perhaps.... perhaps we could make arrangements to go to the bridge together? Work on another few locks?"

"Now now, that is a dried up fruit you offer me. We all enjoy a honeyed fig, yes, but the fresh grapes make the finest wine, and you shall dangle them hence then take them away? Tis enough to drive a cat to distraction, the curiousity."

"After all, we have yet to affix a lock of our own." A long, sad sigh.

Hand splayed on his heart.

"I thought.... but..... Vince, if we, ah, if we know the story of each lock..... doesn't that make all of them, ah, ours?"

The faintest pale pink on his cheekbones.

His eyes widen just a touch, and his lips purse into a smile. "Oh, clever one you are, to turn that around on me. I shan't forget though. I grant thee, introduce me to thine liberty, and I shall chase down the tail of every lock you bring my way. Fair is fair, after all."

A sigh. "I will do what I can Vince, but I cannot promise anything."

He extends a hand towards August. "An empty promise is as worthless as an empty glass, so I respect thy decision. But, dear Liam, I merely ask - let me help thee." A soft shrug.

August takes Vince's hand in both of his. "I will do what I can, Vince. My, ah, affection for you is not an empty promise, or glass. I thank you for your respect."

He lifts the hands to his mouth and places a chaste kiss upon them. "That is all I ever ask. That, and that you join me sometime soon for a glass? We will drink to the vine, drink to the wine, and drink to the glass and promises filled."

A nod. "I will make time."

"I am much obliged. And thank you for visiting. Though, I fear, office hours are soon to close. Good day sir." And he leans back in the chair, producing from behind the desk a second bottle, and starting to pour - and a glance back up at August. "Oh, still here? Did you want a pour?"

A sigh. "Are you telling me I should stop working, take a break?"

A crooked grin. "I have far too much paperwork here to contemplate such a question. Tut tut. Office hours. Closed. You may join for a drink, or be on your way, but the study is closed for today."

He hesitates, then takes up the folder of papers and tucks it away in a drawer. "One glass."

And the smile Vince gives him lights up his face. A second glass produced from - where does he hide these things. And a glass of a rather refreshingly crisp white poured for each. "To what shall we toast?"

"To friendship."

"To the magic of friendship!" They click, and drink, and true to his word, Vince will release August from obligation after one glass. But not, he reminds him on the way out, from the request to meet the fair and mysterious lady Liberty.

(Fin)