#earthrunes

"If we must wait for Zara to be willing to be found, perhaps we could ask if Earl knows where she might be? Or if he can get a message to her?"

"And I will leave her notes in the usual places."

"Yes, wise plan. Let's seek out Earl."

So they do; his studio work space, the library, even his shared chamber?

Coradel almost asks one of the staff where Earl might be, but no sense in getting the gossip train started.

It turns out, Earl is OUTSIDE... gasp. In the light. Clearly Zara is not with him

As they approach, August raises a hand in greeting; his other arm bears the delicate weight of Coradel's hand.

(A delightful touch that hand is.) "Beautiful day, isn't it?" Coradel says as they approach.

Earl is painting . .. and looks up as he's spoken to "Oh yes, it is."

"Hello Earl." he greets the artist.

"Ooh, let me see?" Coradel moves away from August to get a look at the canvas.

The Canvas depicts Earl's usual morbid nature, the blazing sun turned into a Pyre where a woman writhes as if condemned for Witchcraft. The soft puffy clouds are a blood thirsty crowd, pointing at the victim

August, for his part, doesn't step in to see the painting but waits on the other side of it.

Coradel, the collector, considers it for a long moment. "Very powerful," she decides.

"Thank you. I know it's against what folks see a sunny day sky as, and that's kind of the point"

Coradel smiles and touches his shoulder gently. "It's one of the things we treasure about you, Earl."

She moves back to August's side, taking his arm once more.

"How are you two doing?"

He smiles at her, then looks to Earl. "Well, if I may speak for both of us."

OOC That's "We are both well."

"Good to know," Earl says as he is finishing his art

"Earl, could you pass a message on to Zara when you see her? I'll leave notes in the library and such but...."

"...but we suspect you might see her soon, regardless."

"A message? Ah, certainly" He says surprised but willing

He does look curious though

"Simply that I would be honored if she would find me and if we could have tea."

"Oh! Is that all? Of course. She'll be delighted" earl smiles at this, "Do her some good to change routines a bit"

"Do her some good? That sounds as if you think she's not doing well."

"Oh, all sluagh have recluse tendencies"

"Yes, and usually that serves them well. She is well, isn't she?"

August has an open face; he's clearly concerned.

"I... " A concerned look "Do you two know something I don't?"

"No."

Relief "Okay I.. she seemed well to me" He says

Bemused. "If we did, we wouldn't be asking you, I think."

Earl ponders "Well, maybe I'm missing something. I knwo my lady but of late I have been focused on some big projects. It's just she often seems in her library. I thought it was just natural sluagh ism though"

His painting finished, his brow knits "Excuse me. I best put this some place to dry. I will pass on your message, of course. "

"Thank you. And I will visit the library, leave her a message if needed."

"Good to see you both again" Earl says, though he does now look a LITTLE thoughtful, like wondering if he missed something in truth.

"Of course, thank you, Earl."

And off he goes

"Well, I suppose there's nothing else to do now but wait."

"After I visit the library." he kisses the back of her hand "What are you up to next?"

"Well...I still haven't cleaned up from the stables. I think I'll go take a shower. Of course, it would be so much nicer to have you there to wash my back..." she trails off.

"But immediately after, I will visit the library."

A kiss on his cheek, and she strolls on her way, letting him consider that image.

He strolls along/after her.

He's NOT going to the library to attend to his duty first??

A victorious smile. "I think that's a wonderful idea."

(Fade to a clue caught, and acted upon)