#earthrunes

"You want me to take us to Rivervale to talk to her or text?"

"Text first, lest we go on a fool's errand..."

And he texts, then says "She's happy to help us and will meet us at Rivervale. She has never been to Greenland but.. can get us on a ship , a mortal ship that might go? From a ship on Newfoundland? So she agrees to port us to Newfoundland, and from there.. we travel. This could still take a bit but once we get there I can bring us back"

Blink.

"Well. Then we must needs pack a quick bag..."

"What did she do in Newfoundland? " He wonders, but helps her gather a bag.

"Good question..."

Once packed (Tea set a must) , Earl offers his hand.

She takes his hand.

A kiss of it and they vanish, to RIVERVALE

************************

Coradel has avoided burdening Samson with a ride in the heat of a summer day, but as the sun sets she is heading to the stables to get at least an evening canter in.

Some distance behind her, the sound of quick boot-steps.

She turns, curious.

It's August, moving to catch up with her but not at a run.

He catches up with her butt

(Oh wait, extra t gave the wrong message)

((AHEM))

"Beloved!" she smiles. "Is something wrong?" she adds, the smile fading.

"No, not at all. Just.... wrestling with something. May I walk you to the stable and bend your ear?"

"Oh, of course. And you can bend me however you like." A playful hip-check as she takes his arm and walks with him.

"Ahem." He does not argue.

"When House Fiona welcomed Siv into their numbers, I spent a few moments speaking to Baroness Brekke. Of Rivervale."

"Oh, yes. I noticed you speaking. I almost thought you were going to take her for a spin around the ballroom."

"I asked, but she gracefully declined." He confirms. "She asked me to... make contact, to check on, the kinain, Adam Thomas. I have."

"Oh, of course, that makes sense. He's from her barony. I imagine she'll check in more than once. So...how did your conversation with Adam go?"

"I assume," she adds, "that he had no difficulty forming words?"

August takes a breath. "He was... politely reticent."

"I have the impression that he tried." acceptingly.

"I actually had something resembling a full conversation with him!" She makes it sound as surprising as a unicorn in a Shriner's car.

"Ah. How did that go?"

August may be missing some point here.

"Oh, fine. I met his chimera, and...well, really, that was about it. But still, a full conversation. How about you?"

"I am Liam. He tried." gently.

"Oh." She stops. "He wasn't insulting, was he?"

"He was -not-." firmly, stopping with her. "He was polite and respectful. He was not forthcoming. Kept his own counsel."

"Ah. Hm..." She resumes walking with him, and they enter the stable. "It's possible he doesn't know the answers to whatever you asked him. He seemed very...well...uncertain, I suppose. Glad to be here, but not sure of what he's going to do with the pleasure." A pause. "He was delighted with the notion of testing out the bed in his room."

August pinks. "Ah."

"His situation is fascinating, and I would like to know more about it, and him, more importantly. I can see how all this would be overwhelming... I would like to gain his trust, if I can. Help him... again, if I can."

"Again?"

"Again?" puzzled.

"You said, 'again, if I can'...oh! You don't mean 'help him again,' you mean, 'the condition is, again, if I can.'"

August laughs with some relief. "Yes. Exactly. Sorry."

They've made their way to Samson's stall. The large horse turns and snorts a welcome at both.

"Well, of course I'd like to see him to get whatever help he needs. He's a very strange thing, isn't he?"

"Hello, Samson." August greets politely. "I invited him to basketball, if he cares to, one-on-one. I'm not a player, of course, but I have a few years on him. He has skill. Might be interesting. I don't know if he'll take me up on it. We haven't much in common."

"All you can do is try, August." She leaves his side to go into the stall and give Samson a brief brushing before saddling him up. "Honestly, though, the boy has found himself three Fiona mentors and one master of hunt to apprentice. Don't beat yourself up if you cannot make a connection with him personally. I like the idea of basketball, though. I may want to watch you play, sometime." A flirtatious grin.

"Play, and lose." He predicts without concern. "I... feel the call of duty to the young man. He is mortal yet, but pre-Chrysalid. Right of Rescue could be said to apply. And if not, then he remains mortal." Adam seems to be a perfect Liam trap.

"Oh, I think if I were there, he'd be distracted enough to make it a more even playing field." She gets Samson's blanket and saddle on him, and then his bridle. "I do like that you've got a new project to pursue."