#earthrunes

Earl takes a sip of his own drinnk

August is not a haunt of the tavern; no aspirsion on Jack, he just doesn't associate much with bars in general.

However, he -does- occasionally pass by, and in so doing, see Earl.

A nod of greeting.

Earl looks up "Oh. Hi"

A curious head tilt at that. "Is all well, Earl? Zara?"

"Well, actually.." he motions the man to sit down with him "I think I found a way to help Zara, but I may have overstepped my boundaries" He's unsure

"Oh dear."August does indeed come in and sit down "What's wrong? Zara needs help?"

"Earl, if Zara needs something she has only to ask....."

"Oh no no.. sorry" he says distractted "We were at the farm, big gather of both our families. Clem asked Zara what her favorite class was and..zara kind of shrunk and talked about how 'great' vassar is" he sigh "And then later mentioned in person classes would soon start up again"

"I ..may have asked Lord Hume for help in making in so she can keep working remotely" He adds

"Ah. Yes, Lord Hume seems very talented with computers. Are you taking about, ah, fixing the system?"

"Yes, giving Zara a medical excuse to work remotely"

"Believable." he assesses "But... you are worried she will take offense?"

"That I involved a third party. I should have thought of that first, but.. August, she's SUPPOSED to love Vassar, it's Ivy, just what she and others would desire and..then, she found she didn't care for i. Oh she loved parts of it, but the social drag"

"So she is happier remote classes so remote classes she shall have if I can make it happen"

August nods. "As much as we care for her, Zara -can- be.... contrary. I suppose that's part of what makes her.... her."

A fond smile "True. She's as filled with under currents as the dark rivers she adores"

He nods.

After a moment of thought he says "Earl, I believe your second thoughts are correct; you should have talked to her, asked, first. Can you ask Lord Hume to, ah, wait?"

"I'll talk to him see if I can pause the operation. Should be easy. his main focus was something for you"

"Me??" startled.

"I enjoy going to classes....."

"N no no, something about getting the concerns of the locals so they cann approach you for help? Something about a forum?"

"Oh! That, yes. Well, it sounds like our goals will mesh well, anyway. Go and speak with him about pausing your project? And.... talk to Zara." with a gentle smile.

"I will, and thanks, August. You're not just a good friend, you're a wise one"

"That is very kind of you, Earl; thank you. I know Ihave not always been wise, but I have always tried to be."

"Life lessons enrich us all at a price I suppose" He nods and rises , "Pardon, better to stop it now than wait"

August smiles. "Of course." he rises as well, and takes up his books again to return to his studies.... unless?

Once Earl is gone, Jack says "Ah, August?" The bartender inquirees

"Yes, Jack?" turning politely.

"Sorry to bug you, but I keep meaning to ask a favor. It's .. probably beneath your station"

"Jack, I would hate to think anything is 'beneath my station.' What can I do for you?"

"Wel, how would you feel about making fancy script for a label on drinks? "

"Certainly." with a smile. "That should be easy enough What do you want it to say, and do you have the label or would you like me to make it?"

"I want it to be like this" he pulls out a bottle "In shape I mean. What I want it to say is 'Waveborne Rum, and if you can fit in smaller print 'Seas the Day' only spelled like Sea plural rather than seize"

August looks at it and nods. "I think I have an image. Is this in referrence to Lady Captain Waveborne?"

"A surprise gift. We're going tto give her a case of my new rum recipe"

August nods. "Perhaps something with Narwhals on it?"

"I would but I can't draw. Inish might but he's a bit high snooty about putting heraldry on booze"

August nods "I can probably at least trace something enough to teach myself the shapes. Maybe abstract narwhals.

"I suppose I could ask Earl" He says after thinkingg about it "Or you could. "

August considers. "He's a better artist than I. I could mock up the layout of the label and ask him to put narwhals on it, then do the lettering."

"that would be great, thanks!"

Jack grins "Some of the laides around here miss her, wanted to get her a gift. She was always so reserved and shy, but once you got to know her, a sweet girl"

"Ahh.... yes. Of course. May Ihave the bottle?Just to make sure I get the measurements right."

"Here, this one is an empty and what i Plan to use" He hannds one over

"Perfect. Thank you! I'll get to work on it, make you a few of them to choose from and if one is damanged while attaching it, you'll have others. How many bottles?"

"Baker's Dozen.. that is, 13"

"Let me know how much materials and your time costs. I'm good for it"