#earthrunes

"You told me not to, so I haven't, but I think Leonora already suspects. And Shalimar definitely does. Vashti too...remember their costumes?"

"Costumes.... for Samhain? I... vaguely. Yes."

"Did you like the novel?" He asks

"I don't think so, no. But .... I do not remember much of it."

"Wait.." he blinks "You don't remember much of something you sent me to investigate?"

"No."

"Dad..." A pause "Tell me you didn't read it on Samhain"

A long, and telling, pause.

"I did."

"Most of it. That is, I finished it on Samhain."

"If Zara finds out you read it on a night you were almost sure to forget most of it , she's going to be hurt."

A long pause again. "And if I read it, and remembered, she might also be hurt. So."

"You think she would? Mmm my advice to you then is forget it all and never search into it again." A shrug "Which may have been your plan anyway. Zara is Talia Amur. I was looking into her finances, but those are locked up tight so checking on Royalties is tricky."

"Yes. Drop it, but .... thank you Magnus. I am indebted to you."

"nonsense. You're my father from another time and a friend." He grins "You've helped me plenty"

August offers his hand.

And he takes it

A shake. "Thank you, again." and he turns to go.

And Magnus departs.

*****

And so we turn to ...

Kylie walks through the scene meant near the 4th wall...

Kylie? You're not Adam!

"Good eye, Sherlock" SHe keeps walking "Right now I'm looking for Zing. She might need me."

Sorry, just ah, well, see, NPCs don't get scenes of their own often unless it pertains to a PC's need

"Bill me" She says looking around.

Zing ins't a pC either so you see, this is really not making sense.

"So pan away, what are you? A voyeur?"

No.. I mean, not on this slack no.

"So... scoot. I'm good! I can find her on my own."

If you're sure?

"Yeah yeah... " She digs around

Well, fine then.

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