#earthrunes

Outside of the Library, the sluagh that lurks there makes a face at the clumsy courtship between Redcap and Pooka. Despite being on the cusp of Wilderhood, Lizbet knows that SHE will never be so foolish as to fall in love.

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Finding Leonora is not hard for August. She has an active social life, but she also has a cellphoine so when he texts and asks to meet her, she shows up at the hold wearing a tennis outfit

"I could have come to you." he points out as he walks her in "But thank you for meeting me. Would you care for anything?"

"Anything to drink would be great, still a bit hot out there" She says. SHe does not sweat so much as perspire with a glow

"Of course." soon they are joined by a pitcher of ice water, and one of iced tea just sweetened a touch with honey. "Let's sit?" they are in one of those cozy Manor nooks.

She puts her racket to the side and takes a seat, then a sip of the tea, "mmm nice. Now August, what can I do for you? Your text said you could use my help helping someone?"

"Yes. May I ask that this be kept in confidence?"

She looks around to make sure there are no boggans, sluagh, or spiders, then says "Sure"

August, little knowing there's almost -always- a spider somewhere on him, continues "Dame Temerity is... well, she is lonely and would like to have someone special in her life. I thought perhaps you could help?"

A startled look "Wait, "Blood and Glory" Temerity is looking for romance?"

He nods, a little abashed. "She is lonely."

"Oh the poor thing" A pause "Well mostly she just spars and practices, though she does muse some dreamers. Oh my... yes, Truthbranch bannerhouse is about mortal love, and she probably sees couples and wonder what it's like. " An annoyed look but not at anyone else "I should have figured this! I'm a Fiona"

"I wondered if perhaps her focus on combat might have blinded her to other possibilities. I never dated, really, but I'm given to understand that part of the point is to discover mutual interests and perhaps develop new ones. I wondered if you, and Coradel if she is interested and able, might help Temerity to explore that?"

"And thus, meet others?"

"I see what you mean, kind of like how it was hard to get you out of your study to actually MEET folks"

He colors slightly and says "I, ah, wasn't looking for companionship as she is."

"August, I love you dearly, but I also thank GOD Coradel found you and abducted you"

He blushes more deeply. "As do I."

A smile over her drink

"But, we are not here to talk about me. Dame Temerity." he corrects course "Do you think you might befriend her in this way?"

"Of course, and I bet Cordy would love to help too. We'll take her on a night on the town. I know she's looking for that 'one guy' but let's face it, you sometimes have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince"

He seems relieved. "Thank you."

"Oh August, you were ready to do it yourself if you had to. Alone? That's sweet. I know socializing 'on the town' is .. kind of like a dental drill for you"

"My concern was more centered on the fact that I really don't know what I'm doing in this matter. It could go tragically wrong, and people could be hurt. I'm not a good choice for this, and you and Coradel are." he explains.

"Well , August, in affairs of the heart there is no true safety. It's risk and great reward"

"True. But I think it's best if someone how has ever sought love, and dated, help in this case."

"It does" She nods "Not saying 'stay in your lane'... it's everyone's lane, but Coradel and I know how to drive it pretty well"

"Exactly. And so, I thank you."

"Well, save the real thanks for if we get her with a fellow she adores and who adores her"

"She has so much to recommend her. I'm sure it's a matter of when, not if."

"She's not conventially attractive"

August looks almost affronted "She has a unique charm that outwieghs any shallow concerns such as that."

A smile "I agree, but not all men will" She stops "She prefers men, right?"

"She did use the traditional male pronouns but I didn't try to untangle if she meant them or not."

"POoka. Well , we'll play the odds"

"I am sure she will show you, even if her words twist on her tongue."

"Pooka tongues can be... entertaining" As she ponders what Vince is up to

August blushes lightly but just takes a drink of iced tea.

She refocuses "I think if we can keep her from beaning us when we take her for the day of beauty, she'll likely appreciate the night of hunting. "

"Isn't, ah, aren't lady's beauty habits sometimes referr
ed to as 'war paint'?"

A laugh then she sobers "You know, that old metaphor might be just the thing to appeal to her sense of warrior spirit. Good thinking, August"

He looks bashfully pleased.

"Then again, you've never been short on empathy" She kisses his cheek

"I try." he says humbly.

"How are you doing, August? Sometimes I worry you don't get to have much fun"

"Oh, I'm very well." he assures her "I enjoy the work I do, after all."

"Long as you're happy"

"I am."

Leonora sips then says "Sorry, spaced out for a bit. Trying to figure out how to 'ease' Temerity int a club scene. Don't want her mistaking the dance floor for a mob to defend herself against"