#earthrunes

After Coradel departs from Bachdion, she seeks out August.

It is easy enough to learn he is working out; martial practice.

As much as she was in a high snit when she left him (though woe be to he who would describe that way within her hearing), she seems in a much different mood now. When he spots her, she's watching from a doorway, admiring him as he moves.

He stops and draws himself up. "Ah. Hello." uncertainly.

She doesn't answer right away, still appreciating his form. Then she says, "I have a little trip to undertake, and I'd like you to come with me."

"You do? Of course." the faintest of pauses "As you wish."

Oh, that gets a warm little smile from her. She moves a little closer. "To see the Duke and Duchess."

A blink "The... you want me to come to see them? Are you sure?"

"Oh, you don't have to." She reaches out to trail a finger down his chest. "And if you do join me on the trip, you don't need to meet them with me, if you don't like."

"I... I, ah, I will come with you if you wish it. And meet with them if you wish it. I ... I'm not sure it would do anything to benefit but... I will go."

"Did they send for you?"

"They have not. I will be sending a request for audience shortly. As for what you can do to benefit..." she leans forward to nuzzle his ear "...we'll think of something."

"O... okay." he seems nonplussed, but agreeable.

"Wonderful," she purrs. "I like having you nearby, my love."

He sets his weapon aside with one hand, sliding the other arm around her waist. "We have been busy with school and the barony and the bannerhouse. I have missed being with you."

"Mmm." A soft sound...perhaps she's not entirely sure he has?

He shifts to look her in the eyes. "I have. Missed you, that is."

She meets his eyes. "Then...I'll be very glad that you'll be with me on this trip." She lightly nuzzles noses with him.

Some of the tension starts to drain away from him. "Then.... I am happy to go."

"Mmm..." a more satisfied sound this time, and she gives him a soft, sweet kiss.

Which he returns in kind.

"We must bring court garb, of course," she murmurs, lips still brushing his.

"Of course." he is in no hurry to disengage in this overt public display of affection.

(He has such a funny notion of 'public'...it's not as if they're in a high-capacity stadium.) "And I'll leave you in charge of planning the escape route," she says in that same murmur.

"Es..escape route?" confused.

"Yes." Another distractingly soft kiss as her hands coast along his ribs. "For when..." kiss "...I inevitably..." kiss "...offend somebody."

Less and less tension in him as he chuckles "I'm more likely to cause offense but... as you wish."

"Good," she breathes against his lips. Then a very, oh very long, slow, and emphatic kiss indeed.

Both arms slide around her now and draw her close as he kisses her back.

"Mmm...of course..." she murmurs, her lips still enticingly close to his. "I'll need that request for audience...written up...if you'd be willing...?"

"Ah, of course." he murmurs back "Shall I give a reason?"

"Oh...call it 'the requested update on Lord Hume'..." she finishes by nibbling on his lower lip.

".... requested update...."

"Mmm..." nuzzling his neck.

"Makes sense they would.... mmm.... want.... to see how he's settling in....." he trails off, perhaps not that interested in talking about Hume just now.

"Perhaps..." a too-brief nibble on his earlobe "...we should adjourn to your study" she suggests. "So you can get started..." another nibble "...in a bit."

"As you wish." He whispers a bit eagerly, and draws her to the door.

Oh, she doesn't make it easy for him. She's willingly drawn along, yes, but what she's doing as they move along the halls together is probably making it increasingly difficult to walk quickly.

Somehow, the path they are taking stays clear ofalll other obstacles

Wise path.

Or wise obstacles, either way.

August is predictably conflicted by this; craving the touch she gives him but attempting decorum at the same time.

Oh, delicious torture. Whether or not his willpower holds out until they make it to his study is up to the whims of Da'an.

Or his own frustratingly strong willpower....

.... they make it to the bedroom, and the bed.

And they might even remember to close the door.

(Fade to non apology apology)