#earthrunes

Earl says "I suspect I'll be unavoidably detained this day next year"

"You did beautifully, though, dear judges!"

"Wonderfully" Delores agrees with her liege and Friend "Baron August was a rock under pressure, and Sir Earl, that was excellent announcing"

"Surely there are others who would be better judges? We were... ad hoc.."

"And not exactly foodies" Earl adds

"You're heroes of the hold, " the steward reminds "And they're children . I thought the hotdogs split up and such would have been a clue to that"

"You saw how delighted the childlings were. Don't doubt your celebrity status."

"Baron of the Books, Knight of the Corn.We must not forget that, Baroness, if you'll forgive me writing it down?"

That from the steward

"No need. Really."

"Oh I am sure you'll make a copy too" the steward says with a note pad in hand

"I think I may hold off having kids of my own for a while yet" Earl mutters

"Well, you'll have to negotiate with your lady on that, one way or another, Sir Corn." Coradel winks.

"Ah" A blush

August is carefully not looking at Coradel.

"But yes, Delores, those titles are not going anywhere, anytime soon."

"By your command" She says "Baroness, would you like some food made?"

"Oh, no, thank you. I wouldn't mind one of those rolls, perhaps with a bit of jam? But that's all for me for the moment."

"Right away" She departs

Once she's gone, Earl mutters "I know it's wrong, but I wonder if she set us up"

August just takes a deep breath, for equilibrium, and exhales. Then.... "Hello, Coradel. Thank you for coming."

She smiles and strokes August's cheek. "You didn't need me. You would have sorted it out."

"But having you here helped."

"Oh, I made a little contribution," she waves it off, but is pleased by his gratitude.

"Yes, thanks Coradel, didn't mean to sound ingrateful"

"Not at all, Earl, you sounded surprised, and very glad that it's over." A smile.

"I am." August says ferverently.

"Right on both counts." Realization "Oh.. uhm when you have time I have drawings to ask your opinion on?"

August groans slightly.

His head drops back to the chairback and his eyes close.

"August, you were the one who told me I should ask her opinion" A reminder at the groan

He opens one eye. "I said she has the experience as an art critic, and I do not."

"Of course, Earl, I..." She blinks at August's reaction.

"Is there something wrong with the drawings?"

"I have a job drawing for.. gothic romance book covers. This is one is a kind of Daniel Webster against the Devil angle, but in this case it is the soul of the woman that is on trial and her damnation he must prevent. " Earl explains "It's a bit saucy, visually speaking"

August closes the one eye again.

"Anyway I asked August's opinion and he was fair and reasoned but I fear it made him uncomfortable"

"Ooooh, Saucy? Show me!"

He does..

"Oh, August...." She kisses his cheek and strokes his hair briefly, then goes to take a look at the art.

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!

His curl flops back into place after Coradel's touch.

She looks to see if she recognizes who may have modeled for these.

No one modeled for them, and as they are sketches it's likely he could touch them up or will. It's easy to imagine it as her and August, though she's rarely a damsel

She takes her time, admiring the flesh exposed through the ripped clothes, the tension in the clutching hands. "As always, very evocative, Earl," she purrs.

"Yes, but which do you like best, if you please?"

She raises a finger to have him wait. She's still considering....

"Very tricky. I'm fond of this one (the first) and this one (the last), but both frame the woman as more of an object to be fought over than a being unto herself. This one (the second) suggests at least that she is more complex, has multiple facets to her personality. Tell me, do these all reflect the woman in the story?"

"I'm not sure, I got basic notes at best ,not having read it yet" A frown "I have a sample chapter but it wasn't very forth coming though it did alert images. I think you have a point though. Perhaps I should also create some with her more proactive? RIsing from her seat in fury at the lies of the court? Or even being pulled back by her attorney ... or is that a wrong message?"

"I was thinking maybe...well, here..." She points to the one where the woman is being dragged into the abyss. "Maybe instead of simply reaching for help, she could be fighting against the tentacles herself. Or here, where she's cringing away from the gates of hell or whatever, she could be actively pulling her love away from it while he tries to defend her. Just a thought. Unless, of course, the book itself indicates that she's a helpless ninny."