#rescuemiriam

She listens, frowning, trying to make sense of it at first...and then he admits his pain. "Neither can I! And it's maddening! I have tried to speak to her, tried to include her, and she won't be included! I've tried to encourage her, but then she works towards killing herself!" A gesture of pure frustration. "I don't know what is the right thing to do, but I'm damn well not going to do NOTHING!"

"WELL NEITHER AM I!!"

Samson trusts his rider these days, but this is frightening, and his eyes flare....but August is a stranger to Locke, and he rears back, trying to get away from the ire.

August back off. "Sorry, Locke, sorry..." He works on dampening his anger.

"Samson! Hush, stop..." She works to control her own anger to soothe the horse again.

When she speaks, it's in a hushed tone. "August, Deryn needs to know we support her. Not just in words to her, but in actions towards those who have wronged her."

"NO ONE IS ASKING to GROVEL, just... just..damn it, They're all so fragile, and I'm the sane man in the room," Magus says "Mom isn't sained. Sparrow is determined to destroy herself and make sure no one can save her. Dad? Dad is equally set on making it his way or the high way and is taking things almost as wrong as Sparrow is and I can't..." Magus sighs, "They need me to find a solution. Because none of them can, and to do that I need to help keep them at peace. that's why I..."

He keeps marching.

"That's why you're scared," The Ailil says, "you love them too, and that's when fear grips. Familial love, but.. there it is." Claire says, "I'm sorry, but, I can't and I won't apologize when I've done something wrong. You told me it didn't matter if I was Ailil, but I am ailil. I have a hard time admiting when I'm ...wrong, even when I am, I can't and won't and shouldn't when I'm not wrong. "

"My skill is with words. I wish you luck with the effort."

"I.." Magnus sighs "It's just every time I think I'm making progress with one thing, another breaks down. I'm scared ,yes. And frustrated."

"August...wait." She catches up. "Your skill is with words. With pen. I know you've spoken with her, many times...but have you written to her?"

"No." Marching. "I've talked to her, sent texts, I've tried."

"No, August." She follows, then, "August, stop." And after a moment of gritted teeth.... "Please."

"You all are, I'm not blind to that," She moves closer to him, "Now stop upsetting Dolly, and yourself. It is Not your job to solve all of these things. It's not August's Job. It's not even Sparrows, and it's sure not Coradel who isn't even sained yet. You guys will get there, but to get there you're going to have to do it as yourselves. Not who you want each other to be. IF you all pretend to be what your'e not you'll end up hating each other. ANd I won't get sucked into the hole."

"But problem solving is what I do." Magnus sighs.

He does.

He even turns towards her.

She catches up, and speaks low. "Not talking. Not texts. You and I have gotten into more fights that way, but we don't fight in ink. I...think you might talk her around that way, too."

Staring at the trail... after a moment he nods.

"I will try."

"Even if she doesn't heed what you say the first time...she might when she reads it again. And she will read it again."

"But August...I will not apologize for wanting the people who have hurt her to suffer."

He shakes his head sadly.

"This isn't a mystery to be solved, or a crime to stopped, this is life, Magnus, and it's messy and it's complicated and you are not able to 'fix it' You ..." A sigh "You just have to live it."

"Vengeance.... you see no value in healing?"

"If they could love her...."

"I cannot imagine the heart of a parent who would do such a thing as they did...but no, I do not think they are capable of actual love."

"But fine...perhaps, and that is your purview. If you must, you must. But...then what of that little bitch Lira, who thought to use her as a trophy, then discarded her when her 'damage' was revealed?"

August takes a step back. "I.... is this really you, Coradel? Vengeful and hating?" He is as stricken as before, with his anguish over Sparrow.

"Julia's parents, her moral parents, are suffering in ignorance, and instead of helping them, you would punish?"

She draws herself up. "As I have said...I leave them to you, as you deem them so precious in their 'suffering' for a daughter they cruelly rejected. But how dare you challenge me on Lira!"

"As for Lira.... " He sighs. "It hurts to be rejected, of course. Liam are used to it, but Deryn was raised Fiona only to become Liam. That is going to be doubly hurtful."

He takes a step back.

"Yes, August...this is me. If I disgust you so....so be it!" And it's her turn to stalk off, Samson skittishly following.

He drops his head, grieving, and turns to go.

They're nearing the trailhead.

Magnus scowls, "It's just...I... if only there was a month even where one of them wasn't in misery ville, usually it's Sparrow, but they all take their turns. That's not life that's... wheel of misfortune."

((And presumably Locke as well?))

((He's got Locke's reins.))

((BUgger))

((Yup...bound by duty. Surprise.))

August looks up, toward's Coradel's retreating figure.... and sighs. He grips Locke's reins. "Come on. I'll get you settled." He walks the horse the rest of the way.

And coming off of the trail, past the ring, to the stable....

Claire says, "If they hurt you this much. then as nice it is to meet some of them, maybe we should leave them be."//"I can't do that." //"Can't, or won't?" She says.//"Neither. I...I love you but I care for them too."//"You think iwas telling you to separate from them for me?" Claire looks at Magnus, "Let's get the horses back. You're slipping into idiot mode."//"I... ah.. I?" but he obeys and follow dolly, wondering why on earth Claire is mad all over again.

August starts to untack and groom his horse.

Charles will greet everyone, looking worried folks are on foot, at least some of them. "Are the horses all right? A rock in the shoe?"

"No...they're fine." She seems about to say more, but doesn't as she tacks down and settles Samson in his stall...she makes sure to give him some reassuring pets.

"Locke is fine. He's a wonderful horse. Thank you for the pleasure." He glances backwards, then looks at Charles. "Miss C... Chloe likes the Western saddle. Get her a few, something to learn on, and materials for a course. And a show saddle, okay?"

OOC Oops. Sorry, thought Aug was there ahead of the others. DLP?