#kc_necropolis

"She was." Softly, gently. Then he clears his throat. "From what I've found. Read."

"Maybe she was."

"I'd like to think so See? '... aided King Liam in the soul passage before the falling of the gates. Her part in this unknown outside of Liam, considered a House ally.'"

She nods, but her face betrays her - old wounds, dragging at her eyes and mouth.

He touches her face tenderly. "I'm sorry. About your friend."

A rustle of feathers. "It's... it's what's to be expected, isn't it? I just thought the situation was different from what it was."

"Things like that can be hard to read." He agrees.

"Yeah. Can't blame her. All things considered."

After a moment. "Is she gay?" Not the slightest trace of judgement.

She shrugs. "More like... well. Fluid."

He nods. "Well. I think she has poor taste, but then, we haven't met." He offers a small smile. "You said Magnus is Fiona?"

"He introduced himself as such."

Head tilt. "Do you doubt it?"

"No. I don't."

"I know Fiona. Better than my own house, really."

"Presumptive house. I'm not really anything until I take the oath."

He nods. "Are you going to?"

She swallows, and nods. "I think I have to."

"You don't." Firmly. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No. I think I have to. I don't think... if I just turned my back, and flittered away as an artist.... I don't think I could make peace with that."

He grins. "You're an artist, that's right." Pleased.

She frowns, looking at the window again.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to focus on what's needed, here. From me."

"Art is needed." Sincerely.

"I mean, no, maybe not all the time but.... it -is- needed."

"Not like a defender is needed, though. I have a duty."

"A duty to the Dreaming, and that includes art." Reasonably.

She shifts, tensing up. "We do art with the kids."

"At work, right? After school. We do arts and crafts and things."

"Derynwydd, what's wrong?"

She shakes her head, swallowing the bitter taste rising in her throat.

"I painted a mongoose for Gerd, just the other day. So. I'm doing that."

"Didn't the mongoose object? Sticky fur?"

An abrupt laugh. "Hissed a fright."

"Mongooseabuse." Gravely, shaking his head in disappointment.

A faint smile, as she pushes everything else away.

August watches her a moment, then nods, not pursuing. "Ok, so.... guess I'm skipping school today." He chuckles. "What's next?"

"I don't work until afternoon. Where would you want to go? It's usually quiet around here during the day."

"I'd like to find Magnus." Quietly. "And, I should call my folks."

"Well, we could.. go to Rivervale? I know that trodway, and it's close to Bergen."

He nods. "Yes."

"Let's get going, then! I should apologize, anyhow."

August smiles again. "Ok." He takes a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "Let's go." And they do.