#earthrunes

Which, he sips.

"I owe thee something to show my appreciation." She decides.

"Oh, no. Nonsense, Zara. It was my honor to do it."

"Aye, but I also do enjoy surprises."

"Within reason." a gentle tease.

"Well.. true."

"But still. It would please me, and I know not how long this will take to translate..."

"If it pleases you, then of course." gracefully

"Now, when do classes start for thee?"

"Tomorrow! Of course, there have already been emails and video conferences."

"I

"I've till Labor Day."

"You said you were considering distance learning, I think?"

She nods.

"And thus, I may be here, or at Scarsdale, or with Miriam as I wilt..."

"Earl has a room here, too, now - I may be a touch jealous, the garret is delightfulyl spiderwebbed..."

"Has he ever considered further education?"

"Briefly. Though I think he should, perhaps, try a traditional Grand Tour..."

"When you are free to join him." with a smile.

"To see all the places.."

"Experience all the things......."

"Aye!" Delighted.

"You should do it." August approves. "Although I would miss knowing you are here. Both of you."

"True..." A little frown.

"We must needs come home on a regular basis."

"Earl can facilitate that." He points out, and sips.

"He can, though it is... hefty. I would not have him drain himself on a whim."

"Perhaps there's a way to plan it so the returns home would be less onerous? Depending on where you wish to go, of course."

"Hm."

"A treasure? Like the ruby slippers?"

"That would work too." diplomatically.

"Well... trods are tricky, but we could work on mapping..."

"And if you take the full year you'll need a plan for holidays." he points out "Some could be fun away from home, and others you'd want to be with family."

"Family matters, yes."

"So if you can arrange to be closer to home near holidays, that might make the return a little easier in terms of how you get there." Sip.

She nods.

"Where -would- you like to go? On a Tour?"

"Round the world and home again
That's the sailor's way" Bronte chimes

"Oh... Poland, for one. Warsaw. Alexandria. Vienna."

August flashes a smile at the bookwyrm and then looks back to Zara. "And Germany?"

"And Germany." She touches the book.

"I hope you enjoy it. Would you like me to work on a translation? It would be slow going......"

"No, I believe I can handle it. I am fluent in Yiddish..."

"You are indeed." fondly.

"Now, were I to go to Vienna..." And talk goes to wistful travel dreams.

(Fade to travel dreams)