#earthrunes

The troll seems surprised

"Not everyone speaks truths, and kind truths are even rarer."

"I think Kind truths are easier than hard truths. You've given me both when I needed it"

"A friend would do no less."

"One tries. Thanks for looking over the art, August. I'll ask Coradel too. HOw is she by the way?"

"Ah, she has been very busy but things are easing a bit. She's well."

"I noticed Temerity went out with them?" Surprised "Her and Leo?"

"Yes, I believe they did."

"Huh. Odd. I mean not wrong just.. not usually a thing I imagine off the battlefield"

"I believe they did do some sparing before hand."

"Well, I hope they have fun"

"I have the impression they did. I haven't, ah, delved too deeply."

"Good. Mmm we should do a guy thing some night. You know, something manly like visiting an art gallery or enjoying a symposium. We could invite Vince or Bachdion"

A wry smile. "Do you think they would enjoy it?"

"They might. Vince has fun almost anywhere, and Bachdion enjoys culture too"

"We could extend an invitation, yes. What would you like best?"

"Open to either" He admits "You have a preference?"

"It should be something we'd all enjoy; I might be the only one to enjoy a legal symposium. An art gallery?"

"Do you have a suggestion?"

"I think the style of art, if we go to a gallery, should be something that appeals to all of us. I tend towards the morbid. Maybe something that's more of a community sponsor, more open to the middle class both for submisiions and audiance? Could be a chance to meet dreamers, or even support them?"

August thinks for a moment. "I couldn't say what Bachdion and Vince prefer in terms of style."

"Me neither. We could ask them"

"I suppose we will." He nods.

Ivanka the maid shows up "My Lord, Good kNight? Pardon the intrusion"

"Not at all. How can we help you?"

"Steward Delores observes that at least one of you, possibly both hath not eaten in sufficient timely manners. Starving artists and schollars are a cliche she tires of, she says. And she wishes to rectify"

"Ah, I'm sure I ate.... ah..... I ate today." August protests mildly.

"Yes. There are several hours in a day, my lord"

"Ah." nonplussed "Twenty-four, yes."

"Quite a span has fallen between now and your last meal. the same for Sir Earl"

"that can't be right' sir Earl says but does not sound sure

Ivanka tuts "Miss Zara may eat light, sir, but she would be distressed if you were to starve your self and succumb to famine without her being here to over see"

August looks mutely at Earl.

Earl looks like a man who is in a battle he cannot win, and looks to August "Should we..eat?"

"I rather think we must. Ah. You should, ah, take your work with you."

"Yes yes" he gathers them.

Ivanka fights a blush at one or more of the pictures and says "I shall tell her to have a table waiting, milords" A curtsey and withdraw

"Her? Her who?" August murmurs softly as the two men wrap work up and follow the maid.

"Steward Delores I suspect" earl answers him

"Ok...."

And they find a very nice meal waiting for them at a table for two. In fact, Delores comes forward and bows "Baron, Sir"

August nods to the Steward. "Thank you. Ah. I don't suppose Lady Coradel or Miss Zara are free to join us?"

"I shall inquire"

And she departs

"Thank you." he says again, and takes a seat.

The food looks a bit different. Not bad, just not as professional

"I believe this is a mac and cheese over ..tatter tots dish" Earl looks surprised

There is also a gold fish cracker cassorole option

August is looking at it fixedly. "Yes.... yes, it seems to be that. Are those.... cut-up
hotdogs in there?"

"I predict the ladies are not available... and, we have made someone mad."