#earthrunes

"Leonora, do you have the time?"

"Oh, go ahead and tell her, August. We can't be sure of when they are or aren't on the ground."

"That's not exactly the best information to have going into this conversation, Coradel. I was hoping we might reach out to them, if they have a cell phone?"

"Oh it's been thirty"

"And they haven't called. Can we call them?"

"Should be able to... you have their numbers"

"You have Earl's number, I think, August?"

He nods and steps out to dial.

Jennette says "Now we give hIm ano ther thirth"

thirty*

Coradel grins. "Oh, it makes him feel better to fuss."

Leonora says "I odn't understand.. how he can he be so sressed when we go down on him so often?" A mutter

"He views it as his moral obligation to be stressed, I think." A sigh. "I supposed I'll need to sort out who the new regent is when both August and I are away."

"Don't look at me" Leonora makes a face "I learned long ago I was a follower"

"Well, I'd hardly want a Regent who had designs to take over the place in an uprising," Coradel points out.

August returns.

"News?"

"No injuries. And no, Zara doesn't know." He frowns, clears his throat. "I'll, ah, avoid the library today I think."

"You don't think we should tell her?"

"Nnnnnoooooo......" Yes, but I'm not going to.

Coradel looks puzzled, and looks to Jennette.

Jenette shrugs "Don't look at me. I have no vision of doom OR joy where miss Zara is concerned. and I am sure she likes it that way"

"Well, leaving well enough alone seems to be the plan, then."

"August, I was just saying that we need to consider a new Regent...or Regents."

He nods. "It might be wise."

"So, as I understand it we'll wait a few days before assaying a visit? Ladybird will mope but she'll recover quickly."

"Oh, I hope not more than three days at most. I'm eager to see her conquest!" Then she crouches to pet Ladybird again. "Derynwydd is fine, and you'll see her again soon," she says to the dog.

Lick. Sad eyes. Oh, pathetic!

"Oh, poor thing. You're likely to waste away from sadness. You must have bacon. To keep your strength up, of course."

August nods. "Bacon, at least."

"And perhaps a car ride?"

"Oh, wonderful idea!"

And Coradel coaxes Ladybird to follow her, eventually leading the dog at a quick jog to the kitchen, where the bacon resides!

Bacon? She knows that word! WAG.

Ride!? WAG WAG.

August follows.

"Have fun" The two dames wave

And off they go

Bacon is obtained and presented for Ladybird's enjoyment.

"Derynwydd sounded.... happy." he murmurs, scratching the dog's ears.

"Good. I was expecting that, but...sometimes she gets nervous even when she should be happy. I'm glad she's enjoying a rightful victory."

As Ladybird finishes up, Coradel says, "Ready for the car? For a ride in the car?"

August jingles his keys.

"Perhaps it's not for us to decide when she -should- be happy." He suggests gently.

Car! Ride! Yeeeesssssss! Her tail wags the rest of the dog.

"Oh, honestly, August...wishing her happiness is not something I'm going to apologize for." She smiles and gestures Ladybird to follow them as she and August head for the car.

She bounds ahead, and waits - well, not that patiently, she's all wiggles.

Coradel laughs at the wiggly dog, and helps her get into the car once August unlocks it.

He unlocks from his fob, gets her door, and off they go!

"Any particular destination? I'm sure Ladybird doesn't have one."