#anywhere

"Yes, satyrs feel things very strongly."

"She's not responding. Either she's sending a LONG one , she got distracted, or I'm off the hook"

A response that is just an entire page of:
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Followed by, "Next time, I call shotgun."

"Oh thank goodness..."

TXT: ❤️ I love you but I'm glad you werent' here. Crazy Balor. Parasite tattoos. but all is well

A glance at the Baroness "Sounds like you know one or knew one fondly"

She nods. "Her name was Sassafras. She was a musician."

"I think I heard about her.. Gardens of Firnost? "

TXT: See you when you get home. Hope you remember the tune. It is almost time for Caroling.

Sluagh Wenceles was trapped, by a chain of Varich,
Balor bound and dragged away, whither for to perish!
Where the tears are dry as sand, harsh and cold and cruel-
Siv the Lion came to fight, swift and strong and true!

And a blush and laugh as she reads

"Yes, I met her at Firnost. She probably doesn't remember me."

"One look at you kind of embeds in the memory, Baroness." Proudly she shows the text "Take a look at this"

A merry laugh. "Oh, you've got a keeper there."

"Though I think.. no, I am certain.. Dry Tears should be no more. Something more hopeful, going forward."

"I do" She texts back TXT:Well, Baroness Sparrow beat the bad guy. I just did the spy stuff. But I love the lyrics

TXT: "Have you HEARD that song? It's like 5 minutes long. We'll fit her in. 😄 🐦 👑

TXT: Ha! True. Thanks

"She'll fit you in the song..." And she refocuses "Something bright?"

"Yes. I swear, I think the stone itself is changing color..."

"it is.. " Siv says "Not to humor you, but it's taking to you quickly. And.. I think..partly that is because of the people. Their personal glamour was leeched over and over into this hold, into the bale yes? So... and I'm trying to remember from my dad's teachings.. but when you won their hearts.. you didn't just use the crownheart.. though that might speed it up too.... but all their influence over rode his and then gave this to you joyously. You won it, but they cleaned it up for you ..even in spirit. Is that.. possible?"

"With magic, what isn't?"

"True.." She runs hands over the stone walls "It will take on a better face now in manyways. Is he or she speaking to you yet? Mom.. she stares at the fire and .. they just seem to be having a conversation"

Sparrow closes her eyes, listening.

The flame s are not here .. not in this hall yet she feels them... the hold has been, lonely. Despite the warriors leaving from it and returning to work their lord's will. Despite the baron 's tightening grip. This hold knows what it's like to feel lonely in a crowd. And for the first time in a while, it feels not lonely.. and not just because of redocration

"I can feel it..."

"I bet that connection gets stronger as time goes by." Siv guesses

"Probably. It has been... a long time, a very long time. Lifetimes."

"You okay?" Siv ssays a bit worried "I've never.. I mean,, I wouldn't KNOW"

"Right. Your first go-round. I had a hold, once - before the Sundering. My Aerie. HopeWind. It was lost."

"Grey - Sir Dubh - was my chancellor there, long ago."

"Oh so.. wow.. this has got to be wonderful AND weird"

TXT: You should see this place. But don't get ideas. No ocean or even big lake nearby.

"It is. And if Ragnall and Niall join me... or the ladies..."

"Why, it is what I had hoped to give them."

A look "Zara would know how to word it better, know how it worked better, but sometimes, Da'an moves in circles, or at least spirals... greater, smaller, but circles. Not exact echoes, but a refrain?"

She smiles. "Yes. And here, there are bright new winds to sail."

"Oh that's pretty, is it from a poem?" She approves

"Maybe one I don't remember. You just like the idea of sailing."

"Guilty" She says 'But my parents ship, it flies." She says "So I do know a bit aobut those bright winds you speak of"

And the wind of the near dreaming does pick up just a bit, somehow carrying the ambient light of the new hopes realized

(end Scene)