#earthrunes

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August frowns, pondering the pile of clothes on the bed.

He picks up one hangerful, regards it.... then another. He shakes his head in mild disbelief.

He lays one out and goes through the garments and layers.... then the other.

Coradel emerges from the bathroom, a lush towel wrapped around her, her hair damp.

"August?" She watches his troubled expression. "What's the matter?"

"Ah. Leonora and Vashti delivered their recommendations for my Carnivale costume." slightly mournful "I can't say I understand them."

"Understand them? I'm fairly certain you're supposed to wear them, not communicate with them." She comes over to take a look.

At first glance, two outfit; one heavy on the PVC, the other stronger on white lab coat.

"Well, no. I would imagine even whispering them wouldn't help." He sighs. "I suppose..... this one?" he indicates the lab coat.

She considers the PVC outfit. "Ooooh, that'll make your butt look great."

Then she takes a look at the lab coat. "Hmm." Her head tilts to the side in consideration.

"That was, ah, Leonora's assessment as well."

There's a tag on each hanger; the current outfit in question reads "Mad scientist."

Coradel takes a look at the tag, then grins. "Ahhhh!" A smile, and she looks at the tag for the other one.

"Sexy mad scientist."

Coradel laughs at the second label. "Oh, I think the first one could be sexy, too, if all you're wearing under the lab coat is a thong."

"Do you have a preference?"

"Ahhh.... I think the, ah, lab coat. It has some other pieces to it."

"Other...pieces?" A curious smile.

He fishes them out of the lab coat pockets; apparently Leonora had the same thought Coradel did about a thong, but added some studs and chains.

"OOooooohhhh." A definite look of approval.

And there are lab gloves and a pair of glasses.

"Do you think I'm supposed to add my own shirt and pants?" he asks hopefully.

"Don't you dare." She moves closer and claims a kiss by way of encouragement.

He is glad, as always, for the kiss.

"The other outfit has more to it but....."

"I think this one will be more physically comfortable for you," she allows. "And I'll want to be able to see as much of you as I can. For encouragement," she adds.

A sigh; with those last two words from her, his fate is sealed. "Very well."

"My hero," she murmurs, pressing close to him, her lips brushing against his teasingly, invitingly.

He sets the outfit down and takes her in his arms, returning the kiss.

A pleased purr at the kiss.

Then she pulls away (though the towel may well stay with him). "I need to go get dressed myself."

"Dressed?" he is holding the damp towel.

She blinks at him, completely nude. "I could go out like this, sure, but it might get chilly."

"Ah. Yes." he colors a little, but takes the towel to hang it up.

And then returns to look his outfit over with resignation.

"Vashti says she's got things all prepared. I get the impression body paint will be involved, too." She slips on a fluffy robe and slippers.

"I... suppose I will see you there, then?"

A deep breath as she ties her hair up in a knot. "I'm counting on it, August."

He holds his costume, watching her ".... are you well, Coradel? About tonight?"

"Oh, I'm fine." And she seems to mean it. "But it's always good to know that you're...there. In the midst of it all."

He nods. "I will be there."

"I know," she says with quiet confidence and gratitude.

A quick check in the mirror, then another quick kiss. "See you on the battlefield," she says with a smile.

"Is there... anything you need? Or that I should watch for? You have the list of potential monarchs, yes?"

She nods. "I do. And..." a vague gesture "...Carnivale isn't really in my control. So I'm trusting you to be watchful, but I'm not sure what to tell you to watch for."

He nods. "I will do all I can."

She smiles and blows him a kiss, then she's out the door in a hurry to get to the seamstress and into her subservient character for Carnivale.

And with a mournful sigh, August goes about getting.... well, dressed is as good a word as any.

(scene)