#elsewhere

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August moves towards his study, but if that takes him past Leonora (or others).....

Leonora waves "Auggie!" She beams

Gah. He wishes folks wouldn't call him that

"Dame." he nods, and as he is closer he asks "Please don't call me that name. I dislike it."

"Oh, sorry" She blushes "I think the season's making me a bit more informal. I called your wife Cordy earlier"

He nods. "I have not."

"I understand. Sorry. Look, if you see Earl, he maybe a bit hard on himself. I may NEVER understand trolls"

Another nod. "I spoke with him earlier. He was speaking with Zara and... I thought I would give them privacy to do so. Are you well?" gentle concern.

He gently examines her with his eyes.

"Oh I'm fine. Was temted to slip youo into my chamber tonight' A wink" Still am. There's serious stuff but there always is"

"Anything that needs addressing?" asks the Seelie Liam, ever-serious.

"Some drama with Minerva going to the farm. I almost had to threaten to shoot her"

"Why? That is, what was her concern?"

"Trolls that hate her guts. And that Adam would be there when they're only now learning to tolerate each other. I told her to suck it up... got dirty looks. I swar, she doesn't roll her eyes at Zara"

"No one in their right minds would."

"Why not?" The Fearless one asks "Besides it being rude i mean?"

"That should be reason enough." a fond smile.

"Do you know if there was conflict between Minerva and Adam?"

"No.. but Brenda's shaken" A sigh "I am not sure what's going on there. She's not talking to me in detail"

"Brenda......" thinking ".... Thomas? Adam's mother?"

"Yes. She came back from teaching, got a bottle of the HARD stuff from Jack, and went off to her room. Now I don't judge but drinking alone.."

"You believe something went wrong." It's phrased as a question but....

"Satyrs are not good at hiding their feelings" She says

He nods pensively. "Perhaps Bachdion might check in with her?"

"I'll ask him" She says "But he's got Adam management and Leslie care keeping him busy"

He thinks. "Her.... I'm embarrassed I didn't think of this first. Her husband?"

"They're separated!" She says

"Well, temporarily"

"That's unfortunate. Are they estranged, though?"

"I think that's what they're trying to find out"

"You don't think she would reach out to him if ...." he stops "Disregard." A sigh "I don't even know that she wishes to talk to anyone about... whatever happened."

"Monogomous people confuse me" She admits

August nods; agreement? Acknowledgement?

A soft step approaching in the hallway, and Coradel comes into view. She's wearing a deep burgundy gown that blends with the corridor's shadows just a bit.

A soft light in August's eyes glows.

"Anyway I ..hello there" Leonoara turns checking her out

"There you are," Coradel says, possibly speaking of one or both of them. A grin. "A pleasant sight to come across."

August approaches and takes her hand to kiss if she allows.

She definitely allows, watching him intently as he does.

Then, still holding his hand, she approaches Leonora and leans in to kiss her softly, just to one side of her lips.

Backing a step, she says, "And what were you two talking about?"

Leonora returns the kiss along the other side then says "You look good enough to eat"

"I was about to try to entice August to my chambers ,but I see ..." An admiring look "You may have plans"

A blink.

"Why, thank you," she smiles. "August, do you agree about my edibility?" Quiet amusement.

"Ah. You always look attractive to me, in every way."

The response apparently pleases her. "Leo, I don't think my plans are particularly exclusive."

"Well, aren't I just the lucky girl?" Leonora grins

"Yes, you most certainly must be part of our...book club."

August slowly goes puzzled as he searches those words more carefully.