#earthrunes

"How goes it, August?" Jack says "The usual?" Readying the tea.

"Thank you, yes." he has a sheaf of papers under one arm.

"How's the legal beagling going?" Jack asks

"Distance learning is a challenge." he admits. "I'd prefer in-person but that is problematic."

"Well, you're getting some on the job training now so to speak I hear.. that landlord jerk?"

August nods. "I'm assisting as much as Ican."

"Well, to hear the old guy talk earlier, you're cutting his work load by a third."

August indicates the papers he's set on the bartop. "Just so."

"he's impressed about you, but he's not the only one" Tea is served

August bows his head. "I am blessed with strong and caring support. I try to return it."

"I can see why Coradel fell for you, not just the past life thing. You got that knight in shiny armor thing going with a halo to boot, but I wasn't just saying that to praise ya, someone else wanted to approach you but they're a bit shy"

He colors a little at the praise, but says "I would be happy to help if I can."

"I told the person you had two squires and didn't need a third" A chuckle "That's when he asked if you had a page"

Blink.

"Who is this?"

"A kinain.. who wants to be part of our world" A sip "He's a kid... he thinks you're amazing."

"Not Adam.....?"

"Nope, a child"

"I don't.... I can't think of a kinain child of my acquaintance. "

"You don't know him, but he knows of you."

"How?" August seems honestly baffled that anyone would have an interest in him, much less a child.

"August, Baron, founder of the Truthbranch, defender of mortal love"

"How is that not impressive sounding to a kid?"

"But... that.... I...."

"August, do you want to meet the kid or not?"

"Y...Yes, I will meet with him."

"Great" Jack nods "I'll let him know"

"Thank you." He still looks a little off balance. He sips his tea.

"It confuses you that folks respect you? " Jack looks amused "it's not that hard, August. You keep doing noble and hoeric things folks might just look up to you"

"What I do, I do not do for that result. I simply try to do the right thing."

"Which is why you deserve that result. Sometimes folks are going to be impressed, nothing you can do a bout it"

"I suppose."

"But if you want something stronger in your tea I understand" A chuckle

"Something stronger?" Vince queries, catching just this last as he approaches. "A little cat-nip for courage, perhaps? My Baron, my Bartender, how are you, my loves?"

"You, you golden bum... why am I working when my so called assistant is here?" Jack snorts but pours Vince a drink anyway

He takes a sip, smacks his lips, and proclaims, "Hail to the bartender, the finest there is! No other can pour quite the finest gin fizz!" As he sips his... well, it's not a gin fizz.

"How's it going with you, Vince?" Jack asks

"Fine and dandy, smooth as brandy."

"Vince, I was hoping to catch up with you."

"I've heard that nets are very efficient, alas, I have befriended a warrior mouse who shall nibble me out in a trice." He answers seriously.

"Temerity? Honestly if you wanted to end up on your ass I have drinks that are gentler"

"Ah. Yes. Vince, did you give a cat to Minerva?"

He gives a long, slow blink. "Whatever do you mean?"

Jack raises a brow at this

"Apparenly she has adopted.... or been adopted by.... A large Tom. The collar said 'Whiskers.' I thought of you. "

"Nay, whatever do you mean by 'give a cat'? He looks somewhat affronted. "Can any feline worth their whiskers be given, or taken? Why, it is as if to say that one may OWN a cat!"

A patient sigh. "I meant only that she seems to have a cat in her life now and I wondered if you had to do with it."

"Ah, well, that is a different question." He strokes his whiskers. "Is the beast causing harm?"

"For I certainly shan't stand for ANY feline misbehaviour on my watch."

"Not to my knowledge."