#earthrunes

At that, relief, and Velvet nods "Are we re-prioritizing the mystery section? I've noticed if you call them 'thrillers' more want to partake"

A sigh. "Fiona, oui?"

Velvet nods "I think a difficulty feeling fear unhinges one somewhat" A sympathetic tut for those so disabled

"Oh, they CAN feel fear, it is simply more challenging to trigger, since the threat must needs be by proxy..."

"yes, but i do worry it impacts their mental and spiritual health at times. I have a theory that their reckless behavior and seeking of sensation is often an attempt to subsitute "

"Interesting theory" Earl says "I don't suggest mentioning it to many Fiona"

"Good advice, sir" She agrees

"But an interesting notion to explore, nonetheless."

"Thank you. I can show you my notes if you like?" Velvet says trying not to sound too hopeful.

"That would be lovely!" And soon, there is tea - shelving can wait!

Earl smiles and leaves the two sluagh to their discussion. NOT gossip oh no... polite conversation, tea, and an exchange of ideas.

(End scene)

August sees a rare sight. Leonora is on his bed. Well, that's not rare... it's that she's reading! The Fiona seems engrossed.

He blinks.

"Aaaahhhh.... Leonora?" He checks. Yep. This is his study......

(There's a cot there for all-night study sesh, of course)

"oh no..." She says "the stairway isn't safe you..." She looks up "oh, hey!"

"Am I interupting?"

"Well, it's your study" She blushes , but is careful not to lose her place in the book as she positions a thumb there. From here August can see it is a hard back, with a florid cover art and.. he can't make out the title at this angle. "So no.. I didn't expect to get caught up in this"

"Well, enjoy then." A kind smile. "I can be and do elsewhere."

...hey, the vicar has a spit-curl too!

"No no, it's fine. I like the company. I just..well, I might get quiet... Talia Amur's really got me under her spell here. It's really heavy on the imagery, slips into fancy almost poetic terms, but it's catchy. And it helps me imagine the..." She eyes August's Spitcurl for a moment

"imagine the characters" She finishes still staring a bit

"If you wish, I have some reading to do. We could read together."

August maybe confused by the next question " Sounds lovely but...Is that a prelude to your plan to seduce me?"

"Ah."

"It... could be?"

"That is, I didn't intend to.... ah, telegraph that."

"As my intent."

"Ha. Life immitates art" Amused "Well, actually, don't know if he's trying to lure her on or is just so perfect that she feels an attraction..." She says looking back at the book then back at August

August looks back in Baffled.

"Sorry, I'd love to read side by side" She answers his question.

August smiles and nods. That smile, the soft one, it doesn't speak to anything carnal.... that might make it more special. It touches other points; affection, approval, care. Real care; the kind some relationships die for lack of. "I would too."

And he settles in with his own reading materials.

"And if it leads to post reading seduction, I welcome it" she winks, and.. then, dives right into the book. She's not a big reader, Leonora, but August and Bachdion both have encouraged her to appreciate books, and while Zara might sigh at some of her preferences, the sluagh too has had a good eye for feeding that part of the Fiona's intellectual growth. Not bad for someone who used to think twitter was 'reading'

August, meanwhile, is trying to balance RL studies and his own interests. So there is a LOT to read.

Leonora has less to read, but she's not as quick a reader as August. And ..she is not always quiet.

"oh no..baby don't do that, can't you see he's bad news? Yeah he's got that sexy jaded vibe but..."

August glances, then nails his attention to his work.

"Oh god... if the Vicar wasn't so sweet I'd suggest she strangle him and ..oh damn it.. he did something sweet again. Homicide postponed"

"Sorry?" He looks up.

"There's a character in here, a vicar, he's a good man, intelligent, kindhearted, with an intellect to match her own but he..." A look at August again "He can be frustrating in his apparent innocence, if it is innocence. And she's wondering if he realizes his influence and plays her as a master musician plays a violin, or so truly ignorant of how he .." A pause and another look at that spitcurl, then the eyes. Not like she doesn't know what August looks like, but she backs up and reads something earlier in the book then glances back at August "Sorry. I''ll read quieter"

"I don't mind." gently, with a smile "And if you enjoy it.... Enjoy it."

"So far, quite good." She beams, then says "But I feel like I've read about these characters before. Fortunately, still entertaining"

"May I see it?" He sets his work aside and offers his hand for her book.

A thought and she bites her lip as if contemplating something , then she says "Only if you A) don't lose my place and.. B) ...well, don't do anything rash" as if something is dawning on her.

The Fiona is telling the Liam not to do anything rash

"I won't lose your place. Would you like a book mark?"

"Yes, please" She says