#earthrunes

Huff!

"Did someone say Bath?" A voice asks, from down near Zara's feet.

"Yes, Caspian is in need."

"Do you need a biscuit, Vince?"

A lion's tail whisks in view from under the draping fabric that covers one of the tea tables. Or it would be, if it wasn't much too small for a proper lion. "Has the storyteller gone then?" It sounds like Vince. A higher-pitched Vince.

Eyebrow, and she leans down to peer beneath the table. "Aye..."

And peering back at her is a woeful looking... thing. A lion in miniature, cat sized in fact, but... with a man's face. No scorpion tail, so not intentional it seems. "I seem to have muddled up my cocktail ingredients. And it would be dreadful if he were to turn this into a story, why, I'd be mocked to the ends of the ends in every bar as far as the eye can see."

"Ah, my gallant Lion. Nay, your secret is safely kept with the secret-keeper..."

"That I know, you keep them so well, they flock to you to be tucked in at night. Little No-peep and her silent flock." He purrs over to her, and lifts a paw to lick at it, then stops, making a face. "No, that's not right. All of one thing, not 6 of one and half dozen of another. I dare say I am ready to finish this draft and mark it as a poor concoction."

"Well, mayhaps you should practice riddles..."

"Make the most of it, nu?"

"This story Sphynx. Mayhaps there is some cream for the tea?" He steps out, winding around Zara's legs in a familiar feline manner.

The door opens softly.

"Riddles, riddles." His eyes widen, then narrow in feline contemplation of his own cleverness. "I do say. I dare say indeed. An INTENTIONAL form, this one is."

And the new entry walks in to see Zara speaking to a cat-sized Vince-Sphinx...

"I do have fresh cream... Hello, August."

"Hello Zar...... ah?"

"Meow." He says, the word. And grins.

"Ahhh... Vince? Are you... well?"

He pads over to wind around August's legs, and calls up to him. "I am thy best friend and thy worst enemy. I pour, yet I burn. Thou shall have some of the best times with me that thou shalt never remember. Who am I?"

"Fitting, for a barkeep..."

Footsteps down the hallway

"Alcohol?"

His tail lashes, and he says, "If you wish, and please bring me a double."

"So kind to offer!"

A soft rustle, like the wind through reeds - is that a laugh? Well, so close as a sluagh's throat my come.

And Caspian says "I'm back, thank you for the tea it was... " He looks about "Wonderful?"

"Woe unto thee, oh child of the sands, for Egypt's guardian dwells nigh. Pet me, or face certain doom."

And He sits before Caspian.

August chuckles, and glances at Zara with a fond smile at her laugh.

"The answer is man... now plummet to your death and make me a legend" Caspian smiles at the Sphinx

"I am already humble as befits a King, where to shall I fall, other than for the next lovely maiden to cross my path?"

And he plants himself before Zara's feet.

Waiting!

"The Kings are pretty humble... pretty sure they're in the right, but humble" Caspian says setting the tea down. "So my story can wait it seems. Fine by me. Company is a rare treasure"

"Caspian came bearing news. We must act soon."

"We are ready, Zara."

"Oh, truly. I should get my boots." And peers at his small paws as though in consternation.

"OKay, Vince.. ah.. how did this happen? Jack downsizing staff at the bar?" The Eshu HAS to ask

"Purely by intent, that the cream might become a pitcher rather than a drop. And I am ever so fond of the fairer sex, this way there is so much more of each to admire."

"Are you.... ok? I mean, are you comfortable like this?" August is a bit concerned.

"Hope it's temporary," Caspian says "Charity will fuss"

And he looks concerned. "Charity must not know! For she makes the most precious clothes for wee Froodles and Snarfo, a hobby is a fine thing to have, but I shan't say my aim in life is as a dressmaker's stand."

"I won't tell her you got shrunk until it's resolved" Caspian promises

"Though perhaps a tiny sweater..."

"Booties?" August asks earnestly.

A roar! A tiny, squeaky roar.

And then, a paw raised to cover his face.

"Deserted by all, alas, alack."

Caspian snerks "Sorry "