#brightwindsbarony

Nesss beams at Irene. “Maybe you can offer braiding? You did my hair lovely.”

“Perhaps.. ivy crowns?”

"Braiding IS a craft" Bix nods

“I can find flowers and vines with soft, pliable stems, sweet colors and scents. Even in winter, I... I think I know I can.”

"I could bring ribbons!" She eyes Otha's hair, as if judging how fine it would be to tackle those platinum tresses.

"I can't hardly remember Imbolc before. The Baron didn't like anybody to come to the freehold, but especially not kids."

"The baron was a jerk" Bix grunts

"For once we agree" Otha says to Bix, then she looks to the Centaur "How's that new Ivy you brought home doing? Has it taken over your room yet?"

"I don't think Lady Sparrow will let us forget."

A chuckle. “Not quite yet, though it grew up the side of the window and seems to be trying for a trellis.”

“Forget what, Irene?”

"Forget me. If you run out of Glamour, things get fuzzy and fuzzier, until one day you're just... empty?"

"You can't remember big parts of what happened, and you can't remember what's missing, but you know there's a part that's hollow." She shivers.

Otha says "Then you are right. The Baroness would not let that happen. Nor would I. " She puts a hand on the little girl's shoulder "And not just because you are a page, but because you are Irene, and that is a wonderful person to be"

“That can happen?” Aghast. “It sounds terrible. No, no one will let that happen to you.”

Bix nods "it happens, and ...well, some get so deep they don't gget out until the next life starts"

She beams. "Thank you, Miss Dame Otha."

"You're welcome. Now, " A look "Might you have seen my compass?"

Nessa, bless her, looks around and checks the floor.

A little brow furrow, and she pats her pockets. "Ope..."

The compass is produced and offered back.

"Mmm" The aesin takes it, "How lucky I am you found it"

She nods! "Or it could have been smashed! I'm glad it wasn't smashed, it's very pretty."

"It is, useful too" She puts it away

Bix whispers to nessa "Piskies have a tendency to borrow things they find interesting. Try not to be offended if it happens. they can't help it"

Thoughtful. “It seems to me like they help keep track of valuable things so they aren’t misplaced. See, the Dame knew exactly where to find her compass.”

The troll shrugs

And Otha says "Irene, Catir tells me you are one of the hardest working pages. And she does not give praise lightly. You're not too often away from your mortal mother are you?"

"Welll..."

"Mom is at work a lot, and before I had to go home and lock the door and pretend nobody was home."

"She thinks I'm taking art lessons!"

"And I am, too, but Ashlee is really good at it. I have fun."

"Mmm" A nod "Let us know if we can help you cover in one way or another" Otha is sympathatic

"Thank you, Mom's great, really, but it's so interesting here."

"Don't forget" Bix says "We are part moral, so you can' spend all your time in the hold."

"I know." Sigh. "I go home for school and bedtime."

"I wish I could do more sleepovers."

"Maybe one of the other girls can have a sleep over at your place one weekend. You could ask your mother" Otha says

Big eyes. "Oh, maybe!"

"Ashlee's visited, but not Caitir or Felicity or Grete..."

"I'm not sure Grete gets out much , she might enjoy it"

Otha looks at Nessa "All well?"

"Oh, yes. I was just thinking about..." She blushes a bit. "Well, plants. I don't know any other thing I could help with, as far as crafts go. Maybe quick sketches, portraits? I'm not artistic, but I can draw fairly true to life."

"You'll have to jump over the fire, too!"

"...fire?"

Bix nods

"Imbolc is when the fire gets renewed! It means we're halfway out of winter."

"And then there's Carnival with costumes."

Otha sighs "Carnival mmmph"

Bix looks at her "Lighten up, it's fun"