#earthrunes

And the glamour that Coradel infused into it travels to her as well.

(LR) The woman looks revived, flush and her eyes light up with joy, she curtsies! "My lady, you've returned! The family Castle serves"

(LR) And on Monica's right hand, an inricae celtic design that looks like the truthbranch symbol glows

(LR) Coradel breathes a pleased sigh, and she returns the curtsey herself. "Lady Castle. You have set me quite the mystery, and I'm glad to have it solved at least this much. I welcome you back, as well. You have been subdued. But quickly, we haven't much time. We must speak of your daughter, Rachel."

August makes small talk at the table.

It's not his stronger talent.

(LR) The woman is still mortal, no kithain here, but she explains "I.. I apoloize lady, the memory is in the blood so this is new to me. The ancient pact. We.. we helped your kinnd before and you helped us in return. It's shaped our very fate. But you've come to save my daughter?" Oh there is hope! A mother's hope "Can you? "

Mr. Castle tries to speak of sports to see how that works?

Ooo... August struggest there as well but he tries.

As does Weatherly

Mr. Castle takes mercy on them... "So... pre law for you too huh? Weathrely mentioned it"

(LR) Coradel takes her hands. "Yes. I believe so. But we can't get her out of the hospital without your help. You'll need to agree to sign her out for a treatment plan we suggest...and you'll probably have to do it without your husband or son knowing. They'll likely interfere."

August brightens a bit; at least he can speak knowledgeably about this! And he does. Soon he and Weatherby are picking apart case law with the relentless surety of second-year pre-law students.

"Exactly, you that 'precedent' was a complete Reach"

(LR) "They try to keep me away from her. I .. tennd to.. oh lady I've not been strong" Tears threatenn "Do you have anythng I can sign while we're here?"

"Precedent incorporated into the doctrine of stare decisis requires courts to apply the law in the same manner to cases with the same facts. Those two cases were clearly within those bounds."

"Oh now, you could argue that....."

(LR) "I don't...but perhaps August could figure something out during dinner. I'll find a chance to let him know. And you have been WONDERFULLY strong. Tell me...your daughter, she's kinain?"

Mr. Castle stirs his ice

(LR) She looks to the door...they should return soon.

(LR) "I don't think so lady, though the ancient pact is in us. Here ,a notion" She takes something out of her purse "If you forge my signature, and anyone asks I'll say I signed it"

"You could, and people do, and they succeed."

(LR) "Wonderful! Yes, we can certainly do that." She watches, and slips the signed paper into her purse. "Monica, I need to tell you...you recognize me because my mortal host had some part in what happened to your daughter. But she is gone, and I am here, and I will see her restored to you."

(LR) "When this is done, we need to speak more. August and I will both want to know the story of the family Castle. But for now..." She takes the woman's arm again, "we should return to our men and enjoy dinner."

(LR) "I wondered. " The woman hugs her "Oh this must be alarming for you. The .. magic shapes us a bit. it's why so many of our fellows look like Lord August. " A realization "Oh of course. Yes, we best go in before they fear we've fallen in"

(LR) A laugh. "I think they'll wonder if I drugged you, you look so much better than you did. Well, let them wonder!" And so, laughing and pleased, she leads Monica back out into the restaurant.

"Disaster averted!" Coradel announces as they return. And she smiles at August and gives him a little nod of mission accomplished as he gets her chair for her once more.

The enchanted woman smiles at August for a second, taking him in, not with desire but as if seeing a sun shine after a long dark winter, then she adds as she sits "It was a very near thing"

"Monica figured out how to take care of it, August. Thank you again, my dear. And now, what have you gentlemen been talking about in our absence?"

He offers his hand to Mrs. Castle. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm August Rachford."

"We already shook, August" But he shakes it again

(( I thought he shook with MR Castle and Weatherly but Monica and Coradel were talking and then the drink spilled? My bad.))

((I thought all the various hellos were made, but we might have glossed that a little too quickly. Either way...mischief managed. We'll pick up sometime tomorrow. 🙂 ))