#earthrunes

He puts a proper bookmark at his place and closes it "Not at all, please come in."

Earl takes a seat, "I wanted your opinion on some my art if you have time? My squire says he mentioned my 'mushy' stuff to you" Ahem

OOC (Earl)

"Ah, yes. We had a pleasant conversation. I'm no art critic, though; Coradel has that experience and talent."

"I value your opinion regardless. " He says "Also this one might.. well, its kind of romantic Daniel Webster against the Devil, but to save the soul of the love interest"

"Do you have them with you or shall we go to them?"

"Sketch ideas really" He says "And I apologize. I knwo you're more.. reserved"

He pulls out the 3 drawings and offers them up

"Ahhhh...." he takes them and lays them on the table to view them.

The first one depicts a barrister , gothic, his garments ripped (Yes nice chest baring) standing before a court of hell, the Devil dashing and dapper arguing against him, while a lovely woman strains against shackles that seem to be dragging her to a gaping abyss

The Second one is closer on the lady, and she seems torn almost in two... not in body but spirit, a mist and out of it, to the right, she pulls towards the hero looking divine and innocent, pleading as he reaches with his free hand (the other holding a book of law), but her other self to the sinister looks more wanton and more demonic as she is seized by the Lord of Lies hands

The third has 'Daniel' or whatever the Lawyer's name is, he is interposing himself between a howling infernal journey, behind him clutching him and pressed against him the damsel, eyes closed to shield herself from the horror.

"They, ah... they are very, ah, evocative."

A light blush "Yes. I know. Which one do you like best?"

"I, ah... this is to accompany literature?"

"Yes, thank goodness. The story is like I said, a gothic setting, a young barrister ends up fighting for the soul of his lady in a hellish Court"

"Earl?" he asks weakly "Is this story... ah....?"

He blushes "Romance... borderline erotica.. though that's not till later"

"I mean, it's not sex sex from start to finish"

"Is there... ah.... oh nevermind." sounding defeated "The... this one?" He indicates the one that is least revealing for the lady and then the gent, in that order of priority. The devil doesn't get on the priority list.

"Are you basing it entirely on how much flesh is showing?" He asks noting a pattern

"You asked which one I like best."

"I did. " He says "But the whys or what appeals most helps too. "

"Well. The least amount of, ah... dignity is lost?"

"mmm he should be dignified even in the face of hell. Not a bad angle" Earl nods at this, "Thank you, August. I'm a bit nervous about this assginment. I think ... someone pulled some strings for me and i don't want to let them down"

"You have always had excellent work ethics."

"well, thank you, but if the muse isn't on me I stutter a bit"

"Well, you're an artist."

A smile , then a nod "how's your legal education coming along?"

"Well. I'm working at a legal secretary, I should graduate with a criminal justice degree this May. And I'm reading Fae law as well."

"I look forward to clapping for you as you get your diploma"

"Thank you."

"I bet Zara will be there too, albeit with earplugs"

"I sincerely hope she will be, if she is comfortable to be and wishes to."

"I'd lay good money she wishes to. You're a good friend to her, a dear one"

"I will be sure you get an invitation." he uses the plural-you.

A nod "Appreciated. I bet your folks are proud"

"They are. And relieved."

"They were worried you had lost direction?"

"-Deeply-"

"Tell them at least you didn't turn into an artist" A smile

August chuckles "If I had been steady about it, they might have been ok with being an Artist."

"Well, you're going to do a lot of good in the field of law"

"I certainly hope so."

"I know so. By their fruits you shall know them, is that how it goes? You're a very giving tree, August, and not in the 'ends up a stump' way"

"Thank you Earl. That means a great deal coming from you."

"I don't see why it would mean more coming from me. It's just the truth' A shrug