#earthrunes

True to their word, the DuBois-Rachfords pick up the cost of the meal but allow Mr. Castle to get the dessert and tip (which in itself is not an insubstantial amount!).

And they all move to the parking lot. Monica, aglow, does keep staring at the young couple

'Catherine' gives her a smile, then offers her contact information. "We absolutely must keep in touch. I feel as though I've found an old friend!"

"Inndeed my l.. my dear" the woman smiles

"Just in case you can't reach, ah, Catherine."August provides his own contact information.

And so info is traded

As August is speaking to Monica, 'Catherine' turns to the Castle men. "This has been lovely. Weatherly, I know you think August and I are a bit 'weird' but I hope you enjoyed yourself regardless?"

"I did... " He glances at his mom, then looks back gratefully to Catherine . Annything is worth it if it helps his mom like this "Weird isn't boring at least"

She smiles that wonderfully charming smile. "No, it's not at all."

There are handshakes and promises to do this again sometime, and farewells, and....?

And... the Castles part

August looks a question at Coradel. "Tell me in the car?"

She nods eagerly. He knows her I've-got-a-secret expression.

When the valet brings the car around, she tips generously and hops in the driver's seat.

"Ah....." August was about to do both of those, but......

He gets in the passenger side.

His wife is clearly excited. "I got it," she announces as she pulls out of the parking lot.

"Got what?"

"I got her..." she pauses as they reach a stop sign and carefully checks for traffic -- perhaps for his sake? "I got Monica's agreement that any form we need? Her signature will be on it!"

"So we can move Rachel." he nods with some relief "All we need now is a place to move her -to-."

"We'll make up a name. But as soon as she's out of the hospital doors and out of sight, Bachdion will get her to Fenix in Renaissance. Countess Jessica has already agreed."

August takes a deep breath and nods. "Then we should send for him, so we can be ready in the morning. We'll stay in St.Louis tonight. Should we make our maners at the Duchy Seat?"

She drives quietly for a moment. "No...not yet. About the Duchy, I mean. I'd rather bring as little attention to ourselves as possible from that quarter. But yes...." she says as she pulls over into a parking space. "Please find us a good hotel. I'll contact Bachdion and let him know the plans."

"Ah. We have reservations already." the Boy Scout admits.

"Oh! Wonderful!" She leans over and kisses him on the cheek. "My clever husband."

She starts texting Bachdion...then pauses. "Should I invite him down tonight, my love?"

"To, ah..... play? Or just be handy for the morning?"

"Both? Or just to be handy. Or perhaps we'll play cribbage," she shrugs with an airy gesture.

"I suppose, if it is not an inconveience, it would be good to move early. If he'd like to come tonight."

She smiles warmly and leans over again, this time to claim his lips with a soft, tender kiss.

And then gets back to texting Bachdion. TXT: Teacher-mine, we're spending the night at (Hotel Name) in St. Louis. We're going to need that little favor we discussed, probably early tomorrow. Would love to have you join us, if you can.

TXT: I see. I'll get a room there tonight

She may understand the need to obscure the fae conversation, but simple alternative-relationship talk is still perfectly fine, isn't it?

TXT: You're kind, but I'm told August has been in a bad mood of late. It maybe he wants a little attention

TXT: ❤️ You're wonderful. Let me know what room you're in. I'll cover your cost. We'll meet up early.

TXT: My love to you both. And will do

"He'll be here," she reports to August. "And he wants to get his own room," she adds easily enough.

August nods. "Alright." he gives her the name of an excellent hotel.

And address.

Where they are staying.

Which she makes sure is passed on to Bachdion. And then she gets them there so they can check in.

And soon, the two of them are snuggled in to a rather nice room with a TV set with premium channels! Because of COURSE they want to watch TV

(End Scene)

Zara comes into her library to see it being sorted through by Lily. She's used her sticky fingers to get up past the children's books

Bronte is supervising!

"Find anything good?"

"Oh, my apoloies, miss Zara" the little girl turns upside down hair flowing down "It's all very nice but I am having trouble finding a book on Jinn."

"Jinn? Ah... we have only a few resources on them. Let me see what there is..."

The pale sluagh pokes around the back shelves - dusty reference tomes, mostly.