#earthrunes

"And I hope she will see it that way."

Coradel considers this. "It make take some reassurance, but she'll get there." Confident. "Besides, she's already gathering her people around her. That should make her feel reassured that she's doing the right thing."

"Having others from her Arcadian past will help it feel.... 'right,' I think."

"Yes. Those who are familiar...and then she will add more. She's always excelled at winning people over."

"She has." With warm pride.

"So...Regent for the interim while we visit her. I'll ask Magnus, but if he begs off...Bachdion, I think."

"Shalimar and Vince will be heartbroken."

She looks over to see how serious he's being.

He looks his usual sober self.

"I'm having a bit of trouble imagining what EarthRunes would look like by the time we got back, if one or both of them were in charge."

Oh, there it is; a tiny sliver of a smile.

"Ha! Hmph...all right. I adore them both, but...well, I think Vince might be more sincere in wishing for such an honor, but less interested in the actual difficulties of the duty. Shallimar has very different duties that he takes very seriously...and a gift."

"Agreed." And from his tone of voice, yes, he was joking.

She smiles and leans over to kiss his cheek as he drives. Then she looks back. "What do you think, Ladybird?"

"WUff!" WAG.

"We're agreed, then!" Coradel leans back to enjoy the ride.

August drives for at least an hour before pulling over at a park. "Dogs allowed." He lifts the leash he brought with them. "Like a walk?"

Walk! She knows THAT word, too! Ladybird knows LOTS of words!

"Good idea," Coradel translates unnecessarily, and she gets out of the car.

August gets out, clips up Ladybird, and they go to the dog park.

Wiggle-wiggle-wiggle. Paws go tippy tap. But she does not jump up! That would be No. No is bad. Walk is good!

"There's the dog park there, but also trails and such we can walk along. Different rec areas."

"Let's let her get a good run in at the park. You'll need to put her on leash on the trails, right?"

"Yes. Ok, run it is." They enter the 'air lock' gates for the park, and soon Ladybird is romping off-leash with FRIENDS!!!

Coradel laughs. "Oh, look at her. What a happy girl. August, get a picture to send to Derynwydd."

He smiles at the good idea, and snaps several pics with his phone.

And sends them.

"We can bring her out here a few times before she goes to Sparrow."

"I think that's a good idea. For all of us."

He takes her hand and kisses it.