#earthrunes

"All I know is some of my grains have vanished"

“Shall I form a search party?”

“In fact, I Shall, right now....” and makes himself scarce...

August watches the pooka vamoose, shakes his head ruefully.

"Wow...never drove him off with a barley theft accussation. Hope he's not hurt"

"I suspect you can win him back, if so."

"Hope so, I like the kid. He's a good joe"

"Vince has grown on me." with a quiet smile.

"He's like amber hued lichen" Jack agrees

"I wouldn't have put it that way."

"Sorry, I like em I just have to give him a hard time. hw works for me. Don't want him thinking he's got me under his vevlvety paw lik ehe does Bachdion"

"Ah. Yes." Something makes August pink just a bit at the ear tips.

Jack chuckles "Course, they got kids they share"

"I imagine that creates a unique bond." August agrees.

"Probably. God knows it changed things for me"

"You have children?"

"Yeah" He shrugs "The pill isn't one hundred, condoms break, and sometimes folks get a bit nuts and things happen. "

"True....." he trails off a bit.

"relax, August... you and Coradel are extra careful"

The baron clears his throat. "Yes."

"then why the ... drift thing you do?"

"I was distracted by a thought, my apologies."

"No big.. as long as you're not creating worry when there's no need. You can be hard on yourself, Baron"

"I try to meet my own standards."

"And they are high" A soft toast "yeah I got kids. No one ever really showed interest and they're grown now so..." A shrug

"May I ask.... were you able to be part of their lives?"

He looks thoughtful "Yeah. One more than the other"

"That is something. Not everyone has the opportunity."

"not all the parts were good" he says

August nods. "Of course not."

"But they're in better places. That's.. that's something" He nods

August nods. "It is." gently.

"Maybe you'll met em some day"

"I would be honored." August says.

"eh.. more tea?"

Tea is refilled, and the two talk a bit more, and August gets some quiet study time after that

(End Scene)

******************

Coradel moves down a dark corridor at a measured pace, her long, dark gown swishing softly as her slippers pad a quiet, even rhythm.

Swish swish swish

A little secret smile as she turns a book in her hands, admiring it's rather florid cover illustration once again.

She has no set idea about which way to direct her steps...but they seem to be bringing her to the tavern.

And there he is; Jack has moved away to inventory (or something) and his tea has gone cold, but he is seated, working on a legal project.

"Ohhh, this is a pleasant sight...." she says quietly as she draws closer, slipping the book behind her back.

He looks up, and smiles. "Hello." He stands, and offers his hands and a kiss.

She makes a gesture that he should stay seated, but she does slip a hand into one of his and bends to accept the kiss...not a light marital peck, but something more slow, more intense. Still brief, though, and she moves to sit with him, her hand still in his. "Hello, yourself."

He seems touched by that. "All is well?"

"Very well," she purrs. "The night is whispering its secrets in verses only poets remember when they wake...if they wake..." Something in her tone...is she quoting?

He looks both amused and puzzled. "That's.... evocative."

"Mmmm...." A pleased smile with a bit of mischief. "I've been reading the most...entrancing novel."