#earthrunes

"Ooo?"

"Nice... " earl says "Someonen in need?"

August sips, and smiles at the taste. He nods. "Three individuals and one couple. We'll only pick one, of course. That is, an individual or the couple, together."

She nods. "I do not believe we have had a couple before..."

"Oh, what are they like? If it can be said" Earl sips

"We have." August reminds. "Trouble with conceiving. And doubles about each other and themselves because of it." ((I think??))

"Ah, yes!"

She reaches to take Earl's hand. "I like the idea of a couple."

August nods, sips. "One has left dreams of a rewarding relationship behind. Another, seeks relationships only to sabotage them. The third fears to seek love."

"The couple ... doubt each other."

(could be 🙂 that's how it is now))

Earl agrees and squeezes "We could help with a bit of magic"

"Oh, aye - a shared dream, full of magic and romance?"

"But then... the one who has abandoned dreams, that is troubling..."

"No reason we can't help more than one even if on different days" Earl says

August's smile is gentle. "I agree; choosing one for Carnivale does not mean the others will go without."

"Aye, true. I do respect Truthbranch's mission."

"Thank you." He toasts her with his cup.

Tink.

Zara bobs a little in her seat, brimming with happy energy.

Earl seems to be almost obnoxiously happy.

August smiles more broadly, picking up on the energy but unaware of what it is.

"Let us know if we can help, August. Zara is a phantom when it comes to observing folks, and I can fetch things to help from almost anywhere"

"Aye, and perhaps a blessing could be in order..."

August nods. "I absolutely will. Coradel and I will discuss a final selection and I will let you know."

"You know I love to know, aye. It would make me happy."

"And helping, too, aye. Though Imbolc is soon, too.."

"I have seen the new nocker and Honoria quite busy..."

"I know." gently "And yes, Imbloc first."

"Oh, I wonder if I should put upa display of some of new artwork for imbolc" he ponders

"Shall there be music? Tis meet to have bardic flourishing...."

"Oh, thou shouldst. We have a fair number of fledges, this will be a good holiday to show them, I think."

"I'm sure there will be music."

"As if Stevi and Gideon could be stopped. He was practicing earlier, I think..."

"He's gotten more confident as a troubadour"

"It was catchy." She hums a snippet. Well. Ish.

August smiles at the sounds.

"I'll make sure I have some art for Imbolc then. I'm working on some right now" And if his art lately is heavy on teh romance, well. Coincidence

"Mmm. Perhaps aught with fire..."

"Warm, rippling and radiant?" He asks and sips his ea

tea*

"Wild, vibrant, dancing..."

August looks a little puzzled, but says nothing.

"Lovely" earl says happily

She tangles her fingers with his. "Well, all of your art is lovely."

"Hm. I think the one who self-sabotages might take more work than one night can provide..."

"Yes, the closer he gets to success, the more he'll find a way to fail because it's more ...it's safer"

"Feh. Fear has its place, but not when it hobbles so."

Earl nods "Agreed. He's like the cat Mark Twain spoke of. The one who sat on a hot oven, but now he won't sit even a COLD one"

Still puzzled. He sips.