#elsewhere

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It is night; not the wee hours, but the sun is well down and the naked eye sees a full moon in the sky when it peeks through the clouds. The split-level ranch in the cul-de-sac is quiet, the porch light is one but only one dim light is on inside. A light green Prius is parked in the drive.

The Prius is soon joined by a red sports car, pulling into the driveway perhaps a bit too fast.

Once it's parked, she emerges, heels clicking as she comes up from the driveway to the door.

There's a healthy bite in the chill air, but it's only a few steps from heated leather seats to the warmth of the house.

The house is still.

She slips in through the front door, letting her keys jingle as she leaves them in a silver tray on the front hall table. And...she pauses, and listens a moment.

Slow breathing there on her right, in the living room; a lamp there is on, but dim. The rest of the house is quiet, and dark.

She smiles slightly and moves into the living room, expecting to find August asleep over a law book.

Actually, August is asleep -under- a law book, the tome tented on his chest. The place is neat as a pin.

The smile on her lips turns fond, and she enjoys just looking at the scene for a moment. Having slipped her heels off in the hallway, she pads over to the couch and lowers herself to kneel next to him.

She gently, very gently, tries to move the book from his chest, making sure to find something unoffensive to mark his place.

Young and boyish in his sleep, except for the ever present lines on his forehead.... he stirs, vaguely.

She whispers a gentle "shhhhh" to resettle him.

His eyes flutter open. "Mm... Coradel?" sleepy but coming awake anyway.

"Yes," she whispers. "I didn't mean to wake you." She leans to give his lips a soft kiss.

He takes her hand, and his lips curve in a smile against hers when she kisses him.

"Delores is downstairs. I think it's getting better, though."

"Downstairs?" she says with some surprise. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter much if she's shocked."

"I, ah, I tided up first. The bedroom itself is tame. Enough."

A smile. "Enough," she agrees, and he gets another soft kiss. "How is she doing?"

"Better, I think. Although I'm not sure how much longer I can reasonably keep her here, listening to my studies."

"Well, as to that, I have an idea."

August shifts, moving to his side so there is room on the couch next to him; inviting space.

She takes the invitation, settling gracefully and easily into the space he created, one hand resting along his shoulder. "I had mentioned earlier; perhaps it is time for her to return to working for my parents."

August thinks about this, nods. "Will you speak with her about it?"

"I will. And I will speak with them, as well." An amused sound. "They're much better than they were, but still bland enough that they should keep her grounded for some time."

"And it's not as if she's banished from the Manor."

"No..." she agrees, but with a cautious expression. "But we must be cautious not to have her return too soon. I wouldn't have her get worse."

"Of course. Ahhh... Ah! Perhaps Sir Almandine might visit her? Give an opinion as to her state?"

"Oh, that's wise, yes."

She runs her fingers through his hair.

His arm find its way around her as he props himself up on the other arm.

"How was your day?"

"Well, I had to do a bit of damage control with the building crew. They had gotten themselves all excited about their projects, but...I think you really don't want a new study, do you."

"I do not." he agrees evenly "But if it makes them happy... or for the Steward's sake...."

"The library must stay untouched, though... and, ah, the stables. You probably don't want the stables, ah, improved?"

"Well, not in the way that Delores had planned. We don't need multi-story stables. Yet. And yes, the Library is practically a temple. Of course, if our dear Librarian would wish it, I would agree to great extensions upon the library."

"She, ah... Steward Delores -was- talking about enlarging both facilities but, ah.... then she ... tried to shrink the contents instead. So there would, overall, be more room. That was when I thought it best to get her away."

A large blink. "She tried to...shrink...the books? The horses?"

"Well, I stopped her in the library and got the books back and then got her out while she was only talking about the horses." seriously.

"She was not herself."

A slow exhale as she's reassured that the steeds are safe. Then she nods. "Thank you, August."

"You're welcome."

"I would not let harm come to your horses. Or the library."

"To be fair, I do not think she would have -harmed- either the books or horses but.... the change would not have been welcome, I think."

"No. Not welcome at all."

"I think I'm glad that I wasn't present, and that you were. My temper might have added harm to the situation."

A soft smile. "You would have handled it from the start with your own incredible style and panache."

A smile that makes her eyes twinkle. "And damn the collateral damage."

"Well, there were work crews right there...." is he...teasing her?