#elsewhere

If August goes looking for Vince, Vince he shall find! In the garden, gathering flowers, of all things.

Charity waves to him as she goes about her chores

"Vince?" August approaches.

Vince was about to prance over to Charity and shower her with flowers (or deflower her in the shower?) but he pauses and waits for August - a smile for his friend. And a flower offered, with a boy. “Mi’ Lordy.”

Charity has work to do sso leaves it at a wave, and a bow to August and on she goes

"Ah, thank you." He takes it. "Do you have a moment? I have a favor to ask." He nods farewell to Charity.

“For you, my Liam? Wisheth thou the sun from the sky? The moon in your hands? Stars to strew in thy wake? Nothing is too much an ask.”

A gentle smile. "Thank you, my friend. You know we are hosting a young man, mortal but with a Sidhe soul that stubbornly refuses to Dream Dance?"

“A son of Adam at our very hold? Never heard of such a thing.” Even as he nods acknowledgement.

August pauses a moment, translating, then nods with Vince. "I'm given to understand he witness a new Sidhe arriving in the Autumn World.... and he attempted to help the mortal who because her host. He tried to defend her against the Sidhe." gravely.

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “You were not given to understand that a boy was out with his friend, and witnessed her wrested from her body and sent forth into the unknown, against an unknown attacker? Alas. I wonder who amongst us may have acted differently....”

His expression solemn, and voice calm, no trace of fire or accusation.

August doesn't seem to assume there would be either fire or accusation. He nods in agreement. "It caught my attention, particularly. He's met Chimera and other creatures of the Dreaming. He's seen combat. Rather than befriend the Sidhe.... which one might think he would, either out of a response to, ah, forgive me, Sidhe glory, or out of curiosity, he attacked her to drive her away." He does not seem to blame the boy either.

“He may need time. If on safari in the Savanna, your paramour is eaten by a lion, surely you are allowed time to mourn. Mourn, and grieve, and scream at the world, the world so unfair that has creatures such as lions in it, a world so unfair that the lion happened to choose one that is close to you. Never mind that it does, by nature, what a lion must. We may mourn that necessity, but without other options, it is prey or die.”

Another kind smile. "Very well put, Vince. Well put indeed. I would like to sound him out about his reaction, but.... ah, we've spoken in the past and while he was proper and polite he.... well, I think he was a bit distant with me. Would I be correct in thinking you have spoken directly with him?"

“We spoken a time or two, as he is mentored by dear brother Bachdion, whom to me is most dear.”

"Yes, of course. Do you suppose you might talk with him again? And.... perhaps learn a bit more about his reaction and reasons for it?" a bit sheepishly.

“I put in a word with the young miss.” He admits. “I have only overheard a touch here and there, on little patty paws that pad unheard - and a travesty that is, to be unseen. ME? UNSEEN! Ah, yes. But I wouldst gladly speak to the boy, if it wouldst please you. I DO so like to please you.”

"Thank you, Vince." some relief "I would prefer to do it myself, but I don't believe he would open up to me, speak freely. And..... in addition to the interests of my House, I am involved with the young lady's mother. I'm offering some pro-bono research work to help her get on her feet after the eviction."

“Oh, my, only just met and already involved with her mother. And I thought Bachdion worked fast.” He purrs in approval. “Now, what work does the poor lady do?”

"I believe she worked as a waitress, but she has lost her job."

“Ah” A tsking sound, disappointed. “That is a pickle, indeed. Well, never fear. I shall do what can be done here.”

"Thank you, Vince." a shoulder-clap.

And he’s drawn in for an embrace, that leaves him with a flower in his hair on release. And one in his back pocket. And he may find another later.

August sighs, and pats Vince's back awkwardly while waiting for release......

And he is released, though be-flowered. Perhaps his lady will deflower him later!

And Vince moves on, tracing the path that Charity took.... surely even though she had a basket of laundry, she has time for stop and roll in the flowers!

—end scene!—