#earthrunes

"Me too."

"Have you decided what to do about school?"

"I have the option to be online this fall..."

August nods. "Same here. I suppose it's more friendly to the Right of Ignorance to do so. Coradel can't, as much."

"No?"

"Equine studies. Some of the work can be done on line but there are critical parts that have to be done in the stable."

"Ah, yes."

"I'm not sure what she'll end up doing. Perhaps some kind of split-study. Or they might let her use her own stables? At the DuBois's home, I mean. Not the one here, obviously."

"Aye. And Emma may keep her safe?"

"How do you mean?"

"From the virus, aye?"

"Ah! Yes, precisely. Or, just being here with her Balefire."

"Good."

"Will you sit? I can get tea....." He rises.

She smiles. "I would like that."

A bright smile, and he goes off to arrange it.

.... returning quickly. "They're putting the cart together and will knock when it's outside."

"Oh, boggans..."

"They are very protective of their domain. I can respect that, even if, a'times, one would like to cook for oneself.."

"One reason we have the house. Sometimes it's nice to do for ourselves." August agrees.

"Do you think you want to go online? I know high school was easier for you that way."

"I am thinking it may be best. Then, I may be here, or home, or Poughkeepsie as I please..."

"I could see everyone I care for."

"And for Earl, I suppose he can paint wherever he is?"

"Aye. Though Coradel has given him a room here... so, well.. so a'times I may have my solitude."

A soft tap at the door; August goes to fetch the cart and brings it over. "She mentioned." He goes about pouring. "Do you have any projects you're working on just now?" He sets the tea in front of her and goes about cleaning up his scribing materials, and carefully finds a safe place for the book.

"Not in particular, at the moment. Crafts, the library..."

"The library is certainly a project."

"It is. And soon, so shall be translating my book." Her whisper edges on giddy!

August brings over the copy. "I didn't know you spoke German. I suppose it makes sense, though." He puts it in front of her. "I know it's not finished, but if you want to look through it...."

"I don't really speak it. I can.. ah... extrapolate from Yiddish."

"Easier to do when reading. And I think Melke might have helped..."

"Do you remember her?"

"Bits and pieces."

"She... she disliked the Nazis. Not controversial, I suppose, from current perspective..."

"But then, in Germany, it was a dangerous thing. Many people, ones unwelcome, deemed enemies... those, she would seek to aid, to slip them through lines under cover of darkness."

August smiles proudly. "I suppose you have always had a bit of a daredevil streak in you."

She smiles. "Aye."

"I remember... there was a couple, they were kind to me. Tended me when I was... injured? Hid me, at risk to themselves..."

"I am not surprised." Loyally.

The unfinished copy rests at her hand.

"Mayhaps within, I could learn their names."

"Pay a debt."

"Do you carry debts from life to life?" polite curiousity.

"Mmm..."

"Mayhaps not. But.. but I want to pass on a kindness."

"I am an immortal fae soul, am I not?"

"Tis my prerogative to be capricious."

"You are, and it is absolutely your prerogative." he agrees emphatically.

"I... I think Melke has a great deal to do with why I am Zara."