#brightwindsbarony

Ashlee gulps "When I get picked up, I gotta tell trhe Baroness. You.. you want to come with me and call your mom and tell her we're doing a project? SHe's probably still at her office"

Amid the storm howling and raging that can be heard even there.. they see the figure in it watching, and ready to bring fear and frost to all

"Yeah... yeah, then she doesn't have to worry..."

And the limo pulls up, the troll thane waving "Come on in kids" Pepper loves this ride. Sparrow is embarrased to own it

"Did you see the SNOW MONSTER?" As Irene tumbles into the backseat.

"What snow oh #$#$# kids, get your seat belts on, we're breaking speed limits" Pepper sometimes, SOMETIMES forgets not to cuss

Ashlee is already in, belts up and says "Swear jar when you get there?"

"Might as well empty out my wallet" She muuters and goes

And off they race to warn the baroness

(End Scene)

Grete fidgets. She doesn't like wearing this stiff, pressed, ruffled, pastel.... junk. But it was sent for Christmas (direct from the Italian designer) so she will wear it for this Zoom call to her parents in the Seychelles. Or is it the Maldives? One of those island chains. She gives a glance over to Spar- er. Aunt Julia, and fidgets, waiting for the call to connect.

"You can dig in the Cavern right after this, Grete."

She gives a little smile up to the sidhe, and holds up a pinky. "Promise?"

She hooks pinkies. "Promise. But you'll need to put on your overalls first."

"It's a deal!" Squeezing, then hiding her hands under her butt. Even over a screen, eagle-eye moms have a way of seeing things, like calloused palms and nails worn to nubs.

Sparrow hangs out nearby, sketching, but she is letting Grete take the lead here.

"Hello?"

"Mama? It's me, G- ...Marguerite." She says, trying not to grimace.

"Marquerite, honey. How are you doing? I hope you're back at your ballet practice? Madame Van Tush thinks she can make something of you, you know?"

A deer in the headlights look. "Uh. About that, see, I was, um. Maybe in the spring? I think that the... uh, swan lake was frozen." The normally bold Grete, cowed a bit by this lady of haute couture and high society.

"Well, dear, it's not like they don't have a heated studio. We're not urban you know? "

Sparrow eyes the woman, but remains off camera.

Slim and trim, personal physical trainer, or best plastic surgery on can buy? or both?

"I was actually thinking... maybe.. I could go to the regular school this year? The one with the big playground over in Fort Davis, and the pretty flower beds out front?" Trying to make it sound... classy?

A light laughter, "Oh Marquerite, you always know how to make your mum laugh"

Julia leans into view. Her pretty auburn hair is in an elegant twist, and she wears a perfectly tasteful silk blouse with a bow at the collar. "There are some proven benefits for socialization, if Marguerite were to wish to pursue charity work when she comes of age."

Grete had been wilting a bit, but she straightens as backup arrives. Nodding. "Aunt Julia has been very prominent in fundraising galas."

"oh, yes ah.. Julia." Taken off guard. Julia is the one with more money. "What about that awful covid that's inflicting the public"

the tone indicating 'the public' is a separate, and likely lower species

"Oh, obviously, we will make certain Marguerite has the best personal protection, none of those tacky mass-produced things. I have the funding to secure masks for her and her little friends."

A thought. "I was unsure about going back to ballet... being alone at home for so long made me... shy." She's not a great liar, but she tries. "Maybe meeting new girls at school would help ..." What do those after school specials say? "..build my confidence so that I could try ballet again."

"oh.. mmm"

"Why, there was a post on Gwyneth Paltrow's blog about the benefits of diverse socialization for elementary aged children... and if you know, she's also a genius when it comes to planning organic menus for well-being..."

"Why, my private chef has been turning out wonders ever since I showed it to her!"

"Oh my yes, of course I'm familar with Paltrow's work ,who isn't?" A big smile "I do hope young Marguerite hasn't been trouble that you feel she should go to public school to buy you peace, Julia, we could take her here , of course. Or hire a nanny"

The deer in the headlights look now seems to be seeing a train barreling down on her.

"But... your island trip, mama. I get so sea sick..." She argues weakly.

"Grown ups are talking, dear" she says

She goes silent.

"Oh, not at all! She has been delightful. Showing great promise in geology. Perhaps we shall later go on a trip to Switzerland to see the Alps...."

"I mean, you wouldn't be put out if I took my niece on a field trip, would you?"

"As long as she's never a burden to you, Julia. She can be.. oh, truculent at times. But if you feel this is for the best, we could" almost a pained expression for just a second "Give public school a go."

"I do think she would benefit. We can surely re-assess later."

"Of course, well, Marquerite, you may go to public school for a short time. I look forward to hearing of your dance lessons on top of it. Julia, always a pleasure to see how .. how STRONG you are being in the face of your loss"

"We must, above all, keep face."

"But thank you for your understanding." Hand to her heart.

"Just so true. And you're welcome. Do forgive. I have a mani pedi scheduled. Choi!" she mimes blowing kisses on the cheek

"Kiss kiss" She responds, repeating the gesture. As close as ever, because of course one mustn't ACTUALLY kiss Mama's cheek, you might muss her makeup.

She waits for the videochat to close before exhaling.