#earthrunes

"oh yes, you and she are good friends"

He nods.

"How ever did you meet?" She asks

A gentle smile. "We went to the same high school in New York."

"Ah, both book worms, is that what you bonded over?" She inquires

Lord Hume says "Nerds of a feather... I knnow I hungg out with other computer guys"

"Mistress Zara is not a nerd, but yes. Books. Our studies."

Minerva nods, "I have to say I'm pleased folks innterested in education also thrive here. Though I do look forward to next social events .Beltaine seems but a memory already"

"Ah. Yes." Is it possible the Baron has a light pink to his ears?

Lord Hume says "The music was nice"

August nods. "Yes, we are blessed with excellent performers. The Baroness has a deep apprecation of art and beauty."

"Oh, that reminnds me, I have dancing classes with Sir Bachdion" Minerva says "I know how but I suppose I could do better. Your pardon?"

"Certainly. Sir Bachdion is an excellent teacher." August offers a bow in farewell.

She curtsies and withdraws to both. Lord Hume bows so low he almost bangs his head, and then she departs.

When she does, he rises annd sighs longingy

"Lord Hume? Are you well?" with mild concern.

"How.. how do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Your way with women, how do you.. how do you get them all to like you?"

August blinks at him, nonplussed. "I.... I don't. That is, I don't do anything to get them to like me."

"They don't -all- like me."

"Uhm.. yes, yes they do. Leonnora likes you, Zara likes you, and of course, you won Coradel....the baroness. You're a lady killer" he says wistfully "how do you do it?"

"I assure you, Lord Hume..." August looks stunned "The ladies you mention are close friends, closeness gained over years of company and mutual respect. I am not a 'lady-killer'."

"Even visitingg ladies give you the once over, ad what they they say about you in the chat rooms, any of them that can look past the whole Liam thing are into you" A pause "is it the spit curl? How do get your hair to do that?"

August.... gapes at him.

"Visit... what.... chat? My hair?"

"Well, chat's an old term, but yeah, Dreamnet has lots of discussionn sites"

"And -I- am a subject of such discussion???" disbelieving.

"oh sure... to a lot of folks who knonw about you, you're a NILF"

"Nilf?"

"Noble I'd like to fu..." Ahem... 'you know"

"Ah." and now he -blushes.-

"That is.... embarassing."

"No, embarrasing is when they describe your failings"

"Ah." If possible, he goes redder.

And takes a deep breath. "It occurs to me that, however fanciful -or- accurate these discussions may be, they are not based in fact. These people do not know me."

"Most don't true" he nods

"Those who know me would not speak of me so." he sounds sure.

"Maybe they mean to praise you?" He says, "I.. I would love to be thougght of as..well, I wish .."A blush "Nevermind. Do.. do you have any tips for wooing women? You seem a natural"

"Lord Hume, you could not be further from the truth. I am abyssmal at it."

"Really?" He seems ot have a hard time grasping this "I don't see it, my lord. You have an amazinng wife, and many lady friends"

"Entirely by accident. Lord Hume, I try to treat everyone with respect. That is all. My wife is amazing, yes; we were wed in our Arcadian lives and when we met here, after much effort, we resumed our vows. It took -work.-"

"Oh" he says at that four letter word "what if you try, really try, annd they don' LIKE you?"

"Then you accept that, and move on. My loci of control is internal, not external. My point and purpose is not to be liked, by men, or women, or anyone. If Ihave the affection and good will of others, that is excellent but it is not what I live for."

"uh" A look of confusion, and maybe a bit of respect "I guess that's why womenn.. well, people, like confidence"

August chuckles "So I have been told."

"I admit, I do not have much confidence in myself, especially where ladies are concerned."

"rreally? Wow.. okay, but however you do it, most like you"

"Perhaps so." he conceeds "But it is no doing of mine."

After a minute, he adds "This is a Fiona hold. Iwould be surprised if you did not, ah.... come to an understanding with someone. Or someones."