#kc_necropolis

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Thursday night - August leaps up the stairs to the walk-up studio and raps at the door.

Sounds of shuffling beyond, and then the click of several locks. Sparrow opens the door, wearing a faded tank top and cropped sweatpants. "Hey. August. What are you doing all the way out here?"

He smiles gently. "Missed you."

"And I have a message for you, and I wanted to say hi on my own."

"Well, come on in. Sorry, I've been busy. Work and things." She steps back to allow him in, wings settling against her bare shoulders. The apartment is scrupulously clean, and the mural around the window seems to have grown.

"Oh, I understand." He pauses to admire the mural. "I'm sorry it's late, I just got off work and came straight here."

"Which is a long haul, even with a trod. Can I get you anything? I've got some pop, some iced tea... water?"

"Water's good, thanks." He follows her.

She retrieves two glasses - it's water from the tap, but she does check the fridge for ice cubes.

August is handed one glass - ice-less, alas - before Sparrow claims a chair. She gestures at the futon in a mute invite.

"Thanks." He seats himself gracefully. "So how're thing going?"

She shrugs, green eyes sliding over to look at the window. "Fine. Busy. Tired."

He nods. "I registered for classes. Start September 5th." Sip. "And, you know. Working."

"Classes? That's great." She smiles faintly.

"And lifeguard stuff ends soon, right? The summer program here finishes up on Labor Day."

"Yep. There's some hours left closing up the pool and all but... .pretty much done." Sip. "Sparrow, have you talked to Magnus recently?"

She shakes her head. "Haven't talked to anybody for... two weeks? Three?"

"There was the rain, and I was crazy busy during that...." Her feathers fluff out a little, mood brightening for a moment before it peters out.

"I heard you did good work out here, during the rain." He speaks softly, with gentle pride.

She nods, watching the floor. "It was needed, you know? Nice to be able to help."

"I know." And he really does.

"So I also come bearing a message." More lightly.

"Sure?" A glance up.

"Coradel would like to invite you and a friend to her house on Friday, tomorrow, at (time)." A touch formally. "Pizza and a movie."

"Magnus might be calling in. I'll be there."

"Yeah. She texted me about it."

She shakes her head. "I can't go. But I hope you guys have fun."

"Oh. Ok." He's politely disappointed, of course.

"Sorry. Work. I can't."

"No, I understand." Agreeably. "I bet you have end-of-summer stuff to take care of too."

"Yeah. Sorry."

She folds her arms along the back of the chair, resting her chin on them.

"So, otherwise, everything going ok? How're things at Rivervale? You feeling close?"

She studies the floor and shrugs. "I guess, sure."

"Probably Oath soon, get that done."

A gentle smile. "That'll be a good day."

She sort of shrugs and nods at the same time.

"I should probably do it before he heads south. He's looking into some things."

"He? Sir Frank?"

"Yeah. Traditionally, you say the oath to your mentor, right?"

"I guess I'll try to get out and catch him quick."

"Your mentor stands to represent the whole House. You're saying the Oath to the House, though, not the mentor."

"If you're open to it, I'd be honored to be there." Quietly.

She shakes her head. "Not gonna make a big fuss."

"Especially not there, not after everything else."

"Oh."

"Ok."

SIp.

"Well, I should probably get going. Work tomorrow and then..." He pauses, frowning. "Oh. Darn."