#earthrunes

She looks confused then sighs "Did you not take a body, Baron?"

"I did. I pray for him, also."

"how maudlin" She says "Forgive, but there is a good chance both of them are the better for it"

August glances at Zara; an old look.

A sigh "So you are saying my use of the name Minerva, at least around here, will cause my peers discomfort?" She asks both

"It may."

August remains quiet.

"Bother" she says "I shall find another name for use about the hold . I would like to protest that I was nearly slain by Adam's actions, but he faces no consequences. Where as apparently I must accommodate" A touch of imperial irritation

"Nearly slain?" he seems startled "What happened?"

"Adam threw the body back with glamour .. he made it harder to get to... I was.." Hard to recall "I was without shelter.. withering as I moved across the gray"

"You are not entitled to a host. Aye, you would have died. Which is why you may be forgiven. But no, there is no right for a stranger to welcome your imposition."

Minerva stiffens at this talk

"He... defended the mortal?"

"He defended his friend from obliteration. Your aggrievement at this ignores that a world exists outside of you, and that your refuge came at a real cost."

"Yes, he defended the ... it's just a mortal girl" she says confused "A daughter of eve . If they wanted to matter maybe they shouldn't have stopped believing" A bit testy

"It is possible her essence exists still, Zara." gently "You know I agree with much of what you say; we can hope she lives, still."

"She lives.. that much I know"

Minerva looks a bit hurt at the harsh talk, and rather confused at the fuss.

"If you wish to stay alive in this world, you best learn to understand the mortals. You shall wither and fade, else. Or, perhaps, burn up in glory. But live? No."

August seems to be thinking about something.

She lifts her chin "Thank you for your concern , it is rather nice to have some directed my way." She returns the book to it's place, "And I thank you for the skimming of the book. It gave me many options"

Minerva is clearly about to take her leave, politely, of course.

"I hope you find a name that pleases."

"Thank you" She says

"Lady, may I suggest you talk the matter over with our Seer? You said Sir Almandine was fostering you. He might have .... a point of view that could be valuable to you."

"yes, perhaps.. thank you, Baron" She curtseys "I'll take my leave now. I seem to be offending"

And she moves off...

swish swish swish

"Of course, Lady......" he would say more but she doesn't seem interested in lingering.

She rolls her eyes.

Bronte says “I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice" But she tisks. She kind of liked Minerva

"My apologies, Zara." He turns back, carefully, as the dragonette is still on his shoulder and wrapped around his neck.

"I know that she had little choice in the matter. But..."

"She is only a few days in this world."

"I know."

"Adam defended the mortal girl....." he muses.

"Perhaps I could ask Vince to speak with him."

"Mayhaps/"

He comes back to himself from within. "Zara, I'll clean up my work here, and I think I might seek Vince out. Will you excuse me?"

"But of course. I did not mean to upset here, just..." A sigh.

"Zara...." gently "You know I understand, and even share some of your thoughts. I think... she just hasn't had time to learn, and to think about it."

"Well, perhaps this will get her thinking."

"I am sure it will."

August puts the lid back on the glue and ink, and tidies up his materials into a box kept for that purpose.

Zara accepts Bronte onto her bony shoulders.

August rolls his sleeves down after cleaning his hands and smiles at the sight. "If she gets much larger, she'll overwhelm you."

A sigh. "Oh, aye. I shall miss being able to carry her."

"Perhaps she will carry you."

"True!"

Bronte says “And she was well-enough acquainted with loneliness to understand that the worst part wasn't having nobody caring for you - it was having nobody to care for.”
― Tessa Dare, Romancing the Duke" And then she licks Zara's ear