#rescuemiriam

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BIC: He shakes the hand cautiously, "Look, Sir August. I don't much care for your House or getting slapped by the lady. andI sure don't like being called a slaver. But you saved someone close to us and that forigves much. " He eyes the few remaining mortals and sighs.

August shakes.

Coradel looks utterly unapologetic for the slap.

"I don't understand any of this," Mrs. Dubois says "Waht IS going on? I insist on knowing."

"I would do the same for anyone in need." He says gently.

Coradel looks at the woman, a bit archly. "Do you? You insist? You know what it is...a Dream. Simple."

"Well, I've never had a dream like THIS before" A bit of a sulk

He smiles at the woman. "What a wonderful adventure, then."

"And yet...you are still here." Coradel looks at her curiously.

Back to the Ringmaster. "I understand your points. I don't like getting slapped either." Some quiet humor. "I hope you can find another use for that marvelous machine. "

"I don't spook easy" She says firm chin "Even in dreams" Nevermind her fussing over Chloe not long ago.

"No promises, lordship"

A pause, then Coradel asks, "Are you happy, Mrs. Dubois? In your waking life, I mean."

August looks over in clear shock. Apparently, he didn't hear the earlier introductions.

((Okay, pause, back in about ten minutes))

"Well, not that it's your business, but as I'm getting older... no. There are so manythings out of my control, a daughter whose gone wild, my finances maybe dwindling, and , of course, time most of all. That's how i know this is a dream. Very little slows aging for truth.
"

"Mrs.... Dubois?" He asks slowly and carefully.

"Yes, how does everyone here know me?" She blinks

August glances at Coradel.

"Yes, August. It's...her." A troubled look to him...then a decision. "Mrs. Dubois...are youth and beauty enough to...to sacrifice an essential part of yourself? To...lose a major part of your life, and take on enormous responsibilities?"

"Coradel...." murmured, slightly aghast.

"August...she has a right to have a voice in this."

"Yes."

"Well, I... still don't understand completely, but what do you mean responsibilities? I manage committees."

"I mean...the responsibility to be silent. The responsibility to...help others. To...adopt a whole new lifestyle, while maintaining the illusion of your old one. To keep from speaking the truth to...almost anybody you already know. And to accept that there are others who will have power over you, whom you must obey....and those who look to you for authority, for whom you must care."

"It would be a very complicated life for you."

"As for truth, hardly any problem at all. One must learn discretion. The power over me," A frown "Well... that's another matter."

"And might take getting used to. I mean, it happens, but cream should rise to the top."

"I see. And...what if the new life you must lead is not one where you are, as you put it, the cream?"

"I'd prove myself darling," Flatly

She looks at August, "But why does he seem so alarmed?"

August fixes his face.

"It is... quite a change. Theoretically." He says diplomatically.

She looks at August, then back to the mortal. "He wants to protect you. If you agree to this change...it is, in a way, agreeing to a partial death."

"Truly? Well. I..." Startled..."I don't know."

"I do," Another voice speaks up

Coradel turns to look at the source of the new voice.

As does August.

It's the homeless guy, who also did not leave, "my life is shit. Thought about jumping off a bridge more than once. Not sure why anything would want to be a part of me though."

A concerned look, and she steps close to August and murmurs to him, "For some...it may actually improve their lives, or the lives of those around them."

Mrs. DuBois wrinkles her nose "neither can I" a mutter

"I know. It's... one of the good things about it."

He looks at the Ringmaster. "Not just anyone. Those who... who need it. Who agree."

"And who know what they are agreeing to. All of it."

"I'll consider it."

August nods. "Thank you."

"Yes...thank you." She turns back to the mortals. "The choice is, in part, yours."

The homless guy is spoken to quietly... and then he blinks "Hell sure. Any of that sounds good. Eat anything you say? Be nice not to go hungry."

Coradel looks up to August, her expression cautiously hopeful.