#earthrunes

"Thank you, Dame. Benny, take full advantage of this opportunity, soak it in. Enjoy yourself."

"I get coconut pie too. " Benny tells her, "You want some, Dame Agincourt?"

"Sweet of you boy, but you enjoy it. Now... let's see how far along you are. By your leave, Baron?"

"Of course."

"Later, Baron!" Benny smiles.. and he goes off with the Dougal boggan

And August returns to his study.

"You sent Benny to the maths?" An aghast young voice. Isis, "The dungeons of maths? Benny is a good boy"

"Hello Isis." August pauses with a fond smile "You're right, Benny is a good boy. He needs a little help with his math, and Dame Agincourt is a good teacher. Lessons don't have to be unpleasant."

"But he won't have time to play 'wave to Isis'"

"I am sure he will, Isis. Just right now, he might need to spend a little more time getting himself proficient in his math skills but then he'll be back to more play time."

"Huff... you owe me a new admirer, Baron" SHe sniffs "Of late, my brother prefers to hang out with Poppy Bighead rather than his own sister... betrayal, foul betrayal, but I must endure it. I am short of admirers."

August takes a knee to be at her eye level "I'm sure you have admirers apleanty, Isis. Perhaps they are shy?"

"Perhaps, I am rather imposing in my princesstude" She considers, then smiles "Do YOU admire me?" Flutter of her little lashes

"I do, Princess." gently.

She smiles, and seems grateful, "Thank you my knight"

"Most welcome, Princess."

"It's just all the kids are so busy doing their things, and not all of them like tea," She says "Of course they ADORE me so it must be the tea" A sigh

"I'm sorry that's the case, Isis." he says sincerely, his spit curl escaping to dangle, unbeknownst "I wonder if Shalimar or another of your kith could provide guidence?"

"Shallimar is in love with Vince, it's unregretted lub." Her eyes watch that spit curl

"Vince might be another to ask." August agrees.

"Vince is in love with Vince, it's an unvetted lub" she answers

August laughs softly. "Vince is worthy of love; he has a great deal to offer."

"Yes. Charity begins at home, then moves to the study, then to the gardens..." A nod

The baron clears his throat, and inexplicably blushes lightly. "Ah. Yes."

"But they are my elders," Her little ears flatten "And we don't want lazy elders. It's not good for the heart conditions. I'll tell them you said to get to work" A hug "Thank you, Augustus"

He hugs her back. "Most welcome, Isis."

Isis turns, off to torment which ever older Pooka she finds first. She might find Emma, but Emma is wise enough to play dead

"I don't know how you do that" the voice is Hume's

"Do what?" August turns casually in his crouch, then stands "Hello, Lord Hume."

"Just... are so naturally nice and see people as... positives. " He admits

"I worked at it." August admits "It sometimes takes a conscious effort."

"I guess.. One thing I like about computers, if someone hurts you online, you can block them or walk away"

"It is possible to shut people out of your life in a face-to-face relationship." August points out.

"Take more courage that way" He observes

A soft smile. "It can."

"Yeah, I'm not big on courage" he says

A maid, you can tell by the outfit, comes up with new tea and a soda ,for each "If I may, Lord Hume. There's a lot of courage in admiting your not brave then trying to be anyway"

He turns and looks at the maid, and takes the soda, "Uhm.. well.. thank you"

((Does August know this member of the staff?))

He's seen her about in the last month, and she's a Piskie, so she blends anyway, but he can't say they've talked

"Thank you." August echoes "I'm August Truthbranch." a polite introduction.

"Oh, hello Baron" She curtsties, gracefully, still holding up the tray with one hand.

"Thank you." he takes the tea cup "May I know your name?"

"Of course, Baron, please, call me Selene" She says. She seems young, wilder, but younger than he "if there another brand of tea you prefer, let me know. "

August samples.

Standard tea, but she's clearly willing to get him other sorts. However her focus is on Hume, "Mr. Pib okay, my lord?"

"It's fine, Selene, thank you" He says with a sip

"Indeed, it's very good."

"I'm pleased. SHould I ask the kitchen staff to make a meal for you or is it too soon?"

"Lord Hume?" an implied invitation to dine together, if he's inclined.