#earthrunes

"Oh you're doing a good job at burning some bridges there" A frown

"Sorry......"

"Adam. education is of use to anyone"

"I get that. I do. So why am I there?"

"I'm there for an education, but actually to be a spy, but really to be an example of Sidhe but I'm not a Sidhe...... so what do I do?"

"Oh my." A brow "You're there to be a student, the other things are gravy"

"I turned in all my work."

"I did all the best I could on it."

"That's not quite what I've heard."

"GrandDame, I want to stay with you."

"Didn't I say I would work on that?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And Adam I want to be near you too. I adore you"

He lights up. "You....GrandDame I would do anything for you. Anything."

"Oh Adam I haven't DONE anything to be worhty of that love"

He snuggles. "So?"

"A fair point. Love is a gift" She says "But if I'm going to make things happen you need to let me up. Now do you trust me to know what's good for you?"

"Yes. If you tell me I'll do it." A pause. "I'll try. Promise."

He lifts his face from her lap.

She strokes his hair anyway "Okay. And don't worry. I still plan to fuss over you and get you silly gifts"

"No, I just want..... I want to be with you. And fix what I can."

"Mmm" She says "Well, help me up. I need to make contacts"

"Yes'm" and he does.

And off she goes

(End Scene)

"So, dad? How did it go with Brenda?" Magnus asks August

"Not... badly. She hurts. I think they all do."

"I did share some ideas and experiences with her. I hope they help."

"What's your state on... well, how bad hurt are we talking? She seems to almost be ready to let herself be undone"

August nods slowly. "I felt that too. I hope to have dissuaded the idea."

"Thank you" Relief

"Magnus.... the Thomases, all of them.... will need help."

"Yes. I'm working with Adammostly..that's why I asked you to help with Brenda"

"It cannot be easy. To be Unsained parents of a child who has not even had his Dreamdance but who is known to have Sidhe soul."

"It's mindboggling. I'd consider a thesis about it if it didn't make me feel like a damn vulture"

A sheepish expression. "I... have had the same thought."

"Well, we do need to keep records. Maybenames changed to protect the innocent?"

"Yes, perhaps."

"No, it's required."

A nod "I'll share what i learn on my side with you"

"And I with you. Ah. On that note..... any word on the authors?"

"AH yes." he says and motions August to follow him to an even more private location

August follows.

"I'm 89.5% sure that our new writer is Miss Zara" He says simply

August looks away.

"Your proofs?"

He does not sound surprised.

"Well, let's talk Shalimar...the jester plays pranks of a sort. He gave away over 20 copies of the novel. So what's the punchline? It's there if he knows Zara did it. Let's talk Bronte, who became larger and more advanced in her speech options after the book was brought in. Did you know Bookwyrms who are tied to actual writers get quite the boost? I didn't, but a bit of research showed me it was so. then let's talk about who on this planet is most like to know about the characters who resemble you and earl not as you are, but as you were... through a lens of author's personal touch. Occum's razor is at play"

August listens it out. And a long pause.

"Magnus. Please.... you will keep this in confidence? Do not speak of it."