#kc_necropolis

*****************

August folds his hands together. "Say where and when. I'll get the time off work if I need it." He glances again at Coradel. "You... you wanted to see us all."

"I don't think you should set your art aside ," Magnus says to Sparrow, "It's a large part of who you are, what makes you happy. Beauty is life after all."

She looks at the sketchbook as Sparrow sets it aside. "So...you did not let him take the dreamer's music...but you let him take your art? Then he is still winning."

To Coradel, "And my bladeless situation is a bit of a story in itself, but not the important one right now."

A curious look to Magnus. "You must tell me, but yes, at another time."

"Sure. I'll let you know," she shrugs. Green eyes go to Magnus. "And I have a duty, and that's more important than.... wasting time... "

She blinks at August a moment, pulled out of the thread of the conversation. "Oh. Yes." A pause as she looks around the group.

"Wasting... the creation of beauty, a waste?' His own green eyes match hers.

"I need to make it so the mortals are safe to create, yes. But I can't..." she frowns. "That's not what's needed. Not from me."

She watches Sparrow and Magnus speaking.

"So glad I went Lion..." A mutter, then to August "No offense intended."

"Liam learn early not to take offence." Mildly.

A grin to Magnus at that. "It suits you."

Her wings flick, rumple, unsettled and restless in contrast to her stony expression.

"Too often." Muttered.

She glances to August, then down at the grass. She runs her fingers through it for a moment before speaking. "I did not have a plan about why we should meet...merely that we should. And...I think I have learned a bit more about each of you in just a few minutes."

"Such as I can be a bit of a bully when I think someone is robbing themselves of joy," A sigh "Apologies, Sparrow. You'll get back to it when you're ready, of course."

A sidelong grin. "That, yes. I wouldn't have said 'bully' though. 'Strident' maybe?" She looks to Sparrow. "And you are fierce but burdened with guilt."

She gestures with her hands, mute, unable to find a response to Magnus.

A look to August, "Any reason the fellows in the family are the mellow ones?" Could be joking.

She tilts her head. "Or perhaps 'shame' instead of 'guilt.' But I can see nothing that you have to be guilty or ashamed of."

He gives Magnus a faintly sad smile. "Can't imagine why."

"I'm no Lioness. I know something of what they should be."

"There is no reason you need to be one, Deryn. You have your own way. Why measure it by another's?"

"Agreed." Softly.

A nod

"And you..." To August. "You disagreed with me."

"Before, that is."

She starts to say something, but stops. Emerald eyes go between Cora and Aug.

"I did? On what?"

Searching his memory with a small frown.

"About Deryn. About her art." The sidelong grin slips back. "I was wondering if you had it in you. Mind you, I still think you're wrong, but...." She shrugs.

An amused look

"Oh." He blinks. "Well. I still think you're wrong, unfortunately. But more importantly, I don't think who's right matters, unless it's Sparrow doing the thinking."

"I hope it's my turn to be right soon, I think I'm overdue."

"Mmm." She wags a delicate finger in front of him. "Sometimes thinking and necessary action interfere with each other." And then a light laugh at Magnus.

She stays quiet, expression shuttered.

She takes a breath and looks around the group again, craning a bit to look up at Magnus as he is still standing. "Well, we are here together. And we have been together before. We have been parents and children...and spouses..." a glance to August. "But what are we now? Speak as honestly as you can."

August looks away.

"All of you." She adds for clarity.

"I have parents, wonderful folk, but in a world where dragons and knights might have tea. And Children can be champions, in a world where horrors abound but so do wonder..where the impossible is not gone, merely unseen... I see no controdiction in having more than one set of anything, particularly family. "

"I don't want to hurt any of you." Dull tone now, gaze avoidant.

August looks baffled. "Why would you hurt us, Sparrow?"

Quietly, "We all might hurt each other, by not being what the others expect, August. You know that."

"I don't... I don't feel like a daughter. "

"Sparrow, is this about your host's parents?" Gently.

(Pause or PBEM)