#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Aren't you worried that you'll get injured? I suppose, with other young ladies on the team it won't be so rough and tumble. Though girls these days, you get so many more opportunities for athletics other than skater or gymnast, or cheerleader. Even roller skating has turned into a sport, though my husband would say it's not a proper one."

"Oh I am too heavy on my feet to be doing most of those well" Literally "Well, your husband is wrong. Roller Derby is pretty hard core for example." She does consider "I guess injuries WILL happen now and then, at least bruises, I guess I'm not ..well, traditionally girly? I mean, I like flowers and animals probably have bad taste in music just because the guys singing are cute "A blush "But I'm very grateful for more opportunities like you said, not just in sports, but in what's expected, and what I can wear" A frown "Except I still don't know why the fashion industry hates us having pockets. It's like a conspiracy"

A giggle, almost girlish. "See, that's where taking home ec was a hidden blessing. We learned how to sew pockets inside our dresses and skirts without affecting the hemlines or seams."

The cocoa is not bad. Most likely a powdered mix, not even close to Marigold's, but it's warm and creamy and has little marshmallows.

"So that's what Home Ec is for" She claims

"I would have liked to have a daughter to teach to sew and cook, but I can't complain about being blessed with two strapping, strong and healthy boys. Brett wanted to learn a bit of cookery, but oh, Chet wouldn't hear of it. At least in the summer, maybe he can help with the grilling."

"That's weird, some of the best chefs in the world are guys. " A theme is arising though .Chet wouldn't hear of it. Wouldn't allow. Mmmf she asks "What do YOU think of Brett learning a bit of cooking?"

Her shoulders round in a bit. "I wouldn't go against my husband's wishes. He is the head of the family and master of the house. And... and that's how it should be. He is the breadwinner, after all."

"How come I get the feeling he's one of the reasons you wish your therapist was open right now?" It slips out before she thinks about it

She bites her lip. "Dr. Greene has been a godsend. I had thought maybe... but no, she helped me see that it's best to stay together. For the children. I just need to improve myself, and be a better wife." A small smile to Gwen, even as the glamour around her roils a bit. "Someday when you're married, you'll understand."

"What did Dr. Greene tell you?" As she tries to recall.. what was Calanthe's name.. her mortal name? She rocks her brain

"She reminded me that I made a vow, for better or for worse. And that as a wife, it is my duty to love and support my husband. And it's true... if I didn't upset him, he'd not..." A pause. "We wouldn't... bicker. He works so hard, it's up to me to make his homelife loving and secure."

Her eyes narrow just for a moment then she takes a breath "Ma'am. I've met your husband. He's not exactly perfect and he seems to upset kind of easily. I'm nnon sure this should be all on your shoulders."

The glamour darkening her brow ripples and trembles. It would be so easy to reach out and taste it, she is ripe for musing. Perhaps overripe. "You're sweet, Gwen. But I trust Dr. Candace, she is a psychologist after all."

To take it would be by means the girl is sure she doesnn't like. If anything she's tempted to enchant , a thougght occurs "Mrs. Chesterton.. do you paint or sculpt or anything artistic?"

"Yes, Dr. Greene actually recommended it. She has me talk about my feelings as I paint - I have no real skill, mind you, just splashing colors on a canvas, but I always feel better once we're done with a session. It's Art Therapy, you see."

"Sounds wonderful. Tell you what" she reaches into her backpack and pulls out a note pad, an old fashioned one, and pulls out a pencil "I am no therapist, and this is just doodling, but why don't you draw or doodle your feelings. I won't even charge" A smile

"I suppose there's no harm..." accepting the pencil and notepad. "You see, sometimes I just feel... somewhat trapped..." She speaks for a while, pouring out feelings even as her pencil skitters across the paper.

The glamour ripples and flows, dribbling like a viscous ooze, down out of Angela and into the paper. Not all of it, but enough bled off to make her relax a bit and straighten up with an unconscious sigh, as the weight is lightened.

"And if the door was opened, if the lock unlocked, what would you be doing you think?" She offers more paper if needed

She takes the glamour gently, cautious of it, and then tries to direct. To offer up the wonders of maybes and perhaps and could one day bes

"I... well.. I always thought that maybe I could go back to college, I never finished... married the boy next door and settled down." She murmurs softly. "But... no. It's just a pipe dream. I would never have time, not with keeping the home and caring for Chet and the boys..." Something flickers weakly...

and then her phone rings. Angela blinks, coming out of the half-daze she was in, and hands back the paper and pencil to answer.

"Hello? Yes, my appointment... no, OH!" Checking the time. "I'm so sorry. Of course not. No, I just lost track of... I'm sorry. No, no you're right. I'll be right home and... Of course. I should have..." She murmurs, though the angry muffled voice on the other end doesn't seem to be giving her a chance to say a word edgewise. The flicker extinguishes as Angela blinks and rubs at the corner of her eyes, after the call is abruptly ended on the other end.

"It was nice meeting you, Gwen, but I'm afraid I.... I have to go. I'll tell Chetty you said hello."

"Surely.. please do. It .. i was nice talking to you"

The page handed over looks like a scribble, pencil marks filling the page almost entirely in varying strokes and depths. But to Gwen's eyes, it twitches, and she sees it strain and tremble into an image.

Angela nods to Gwen and heads off towards her car, almost slipping on the snow in her hurry.

The page pulses with glamour. Gwen feels that she could tear it, destroy it, and take the glamour for herself... but it's a darker flavor than she has tasted in the past.

She takes the paper and pockets it "Thank you" No, she's not destroying this.

The Cherub on the roof hops back over, and peers down at Gwen. "You tried." He says, in a soft, childish voice.

"Thanks I..." A sigh "I'm not very good at this . Mostly iwant to find her husband and beat him black and blue but I suppose that would just make ME feel better huh?" A look at the Cherub "Do you have some advice?"

He looks at his arrows, and over at the skaters. "Don't give up on love, or what you love... do not settle for less, else you diminish and become less."

"For her? She may be beyond my reach. She loves her sons... which may be her saving grace."

But then, distraction! A boy has slipped on the snow, and in trying to help him up, his female friend falls down into the drift alongside him... Wings blur and he is in the air, an arrow nocked, and loosed!

An explosion of glitter, and giggles... the two rise, snow-covered, but hand in hand.

"Wow you're fast" Impressed "And accurate." She ponders the advice given "Thank you, uhm.. What should I call you?"

His head tilts to one side. "I don't think I have a name." A childish grin.

"We are cupid... February is our time."

"Well then, I'm going to call you Quickshot, because that is some mighty fine shooting. I wish you and the other Cupids luck. And I think I'll try to help Angela as much as I can"

"Quickshot! I am Quickshot... and Quickshot is me!" He flutters in loops in glee. "Thank you for the name! If we can help you, call Quickshot!"

"I will!" She says and waves "I have to get back on patrol" And she starts to head off. Perhaps were she wiser she'd think of getting out of line of sight... but then, Quickshot no doubt has other targets who are WITH folks . Thank goodness

Giggling, and the twang of an arrow - it puffs into the snow next to her. Looking back, she sees him wink and wave before fluttering off to another group. The arrow glimmers, if she chooses to take it!

She gulps, and cluthes at her chest, "Lesson learned..." then.. curious, she picks up the arrow "Thank you?"

He is off fluttering around an elderly couple sharing a cocoa! Short attention span, that Quickshot.

This magic she likes better. She tucks it away carefully, and makes her patrols to help guard other dreamers.

And on she goes! The town is safe, with Gwen on guard. For now...

(end scene)