#earthrunes

"I appreciate it" Earl finally says after thinking for a long time

"You are most welcome, Earl. You know I'd do anything for Zara."

"I know" A nod "She has that affect on people, she is far easier to love than she realizes." A fond look into his tea cup.

"She is indeed."

"So, any plans for father's day?"

"Me? Ah, no. Although I suppose we might have dinner with Magnus and Claire. I'll ask Coradel."

"And I'll call my own father."

'Mmm" A nod "Careful around Claire she's ah...well, impending motherhood has her scarier than usual, but you didn't hear it from me"

"Is she ok? Is something wrong?" Worried.

"Far as I know? she's fine, just scary." he says "Ailil are difficult personalities at the best of times, she's.. down right terifying"

"She's extra surly" he explains

"Ah."

A long pause.

"Mother's day was in May. I called my own." this seems to weigh heavily on him just now.

"Nothing wrong with that , right?" A confused look

"Oh, no, no. I mean, calling her is part of my duty to her and to my House."

"I just... ah. Well. I didn't include Claire in any greetings? I'm not sure Magnus did?"

"She's not a mother yet," He says "Though the baby can't come soon enough. I do think Coradel and the ladies had a big baby shower for her"

"Well" he reconsiders "I suppose she is a mom from a certain point of view. Sorry, August. I didn't mean to create a feeling of guilt"

"No! No, Earl, that's not.... I should have thought of it, is all. I hope I have not offended her."

Jack snorts "Both of you guys worry too much. "

"So I've been told." August says.

"Look, Claire is sweaty, uncomfortable, MAYBE has to fight some hormones none of us guys can grok," Jack assert "But she's not blaming anyone for that, maybe her husband a bit, but even then she knows it took two to tango. I'ts not typical for men to join in on baby showers or make a fuss over the mother to be of someone else's kid beyond politeness and both are you so disgustingly polite and mannered it makes me want to rip a fart in public just to balance things out"

Earl looks at Jack, then looks at August, some silent message? Then looks at Jack, "Thank you very kindly, Jack. Most considerite of you, sir"

"Ah. Yes." He agrees.

Jack looks at them both "Are you, even now, thanking me politely when I told you you guys are, if anything, too polite?"

Earl looks almost angelic "Are we, sir? Terribly sorry"

August looks caught. "Ah."

"Not... intentionally?"

Jack eyes them both, "I'll be in the back with the inventory" he refreshs their tea, then eyes them again before going back and vanishing

Earl lets a smirk rise up now that the Satyr is gone

August looks at Earl. "Did... did I say something wrong?"

"You didn't, me? Maybe" A smile slips out fully "I think you are a better man than I, gunga din"

"Jack is upset at something. Something you did? Or... that Claire is uncomfortable?"

"I might have pushed the politeness with Jack out of contrariness" He clarifies

"Oh." August seems to relax, as much as he ever does "I suppose.... well, you can talk to him."

"I can," A nod

"Good." he nods, and finishes his tea.

Magnus staggers in looking wiped out

August stands and goes to Magnus. "Are... what... can I help?"

He offers to get Magnus to a chair.

Magnus flumps into the seat offered, "Not much you can do. "

"Sorry, do you know how expensive baby furniture is? It's insane. You'd think size alone would make it cheap, and do you know how much diversity ther is in it? White crib? What white? they've got fifty shades of white" Magnus mutters

"At least," The artist troll nods

"Magnus, if it's a matter of cost....."

"No no I guess it's more I just didn't realize there was so much to it"

"I mean, how did I not realize how much would be involved in having a baby?" Magnus says "I'm an intelligent man, well educated. Hell, I'm a detective. How did I miss this area of knoweldge so completely?"

"Well, colors of, ah, white....." August looks to Earl for help.

Earl gets the hint and jumps in, "If you would like help with palates, my tastes are different from most but I can help you with learning the varations and such. Happy to assist. "

"Earl has excellent taste." August supports.