#brightwindsbarony

The conversation between the two is reassuring and enjoyable. Both young women enjoy the half hour break just.. talking! About the small things that make up the big things, the challenges and joys they can bring, the frivolous fluff that's so essential, and the rigid must dos that are almost comical if you look at it

Eventually, Sparrow's time is over and she has to return to the Carnival! It would appear the punching bag clowns made to resemble Harkson are getting a drubbing! And outside, burnining Effigy, Harkson toasts marshmellows. All agree it was the most generous anything resembling him has ever been

The queen goes home tipsy and happy and having danced her legs off. Her daughter fell asleep as kids do... but Irene held a smile tthat almost LIT the room even as she snoozed.

And when it finally ended, ,the power of her title returning, the crowds filtering out, almost everyone talks about the fun they had

Until it's only the staff of the hold it'self.

And Sparrow is baroness once more

a very tired, and perhaps relieved, Baroness

And the Steward Hope pats her shoulder "Get some sleep. I don't know about you, but I'm plumb worn out"

And eventually, as the dawn rises over the battlements, well, it's really no longer a choice. the Sandman will have his due

(End Scene)

Sparrow is in heaven!

Four mortal children... intense looks of focus, as they shape and mold clay under her direction

"Direction" being relative, mind.

She is sitting cross-legged at the same low table, pinching a coiled spiral into a pot. "So, I like the smash it with my thumb so the layers can join together... like so, see?"

Mike smiles "I Like Smashing. It makes me feel like the hulk. RRRR"

Jill rolls her eyes

"Show that clay who's boss!"

Mike is enthused.. of course one can OVER Smash but still.. he'll get it

Jill is trying for finesse and pehraps missing the point out of stubbornness but she can be coaxed out of that. She's just a contrary child at times

It's clay. Surprisingly durable stuff - being dirt and water. "Jill, next week I want you to try the wheel. You can get the most graceful shapes - though it's messier than this, so make sure you have scrubby clothes." Smocks help, but ... dirt and water.

She's not crazy bout the mess but likes the word 'graceful shape' even in this contrary stubborn girl, there's an urge to make beauty. "Yes, Ma'am"

Sparrow gets MA'AMed a lot. It's the culture here. Missouri and even Nebraska weren't so different so she's used to it

Then there's Dominick, he's a quiet boy, biracial latino and black. His parents worry he mgiht be border line autistic but they can't afford the doctors that would verify

The eye-crinkles of a masked smile. "Great!"

they had doubts about Dominick doing art, but when they saw him light up at an exhibition Sparrow put on. They gave it a chance.

Clay is tactile stuff, and forgiving. There is a lot of room in "pinch pots" for success.

Dominick works diligently far more engrossed in this than he is the people, but he smiles now and then. A rarity!

A glance at the fourth, checking on their progress.

The last kid is a transplant from New York City of all places. This gives 'Andi' some status in the eyes of the local kids, some teasing, some envy, and Andi definiely missed the big city at times. her own clay formation looks like the statue of liberty... if the statue were covered in severl tons of feature covering clay

Her father moved here when he inheritiated a house that, compared to the small place they had in queens, was huge! here, thanks to telecomuting, he can do very well and provide for his girl

She tilts her head. "Looking pretty good. When you get it how you like it, I'll show you how to cut out some of the inside so it will look the same, but be light enough to fire."

"I can't get the... ..ya know, the folds right? It's all too bulky"

Mike tries to be supportive "I think your King Kong looks great!"

Andi groans

"So, you're trying to build UP the folds, right? Maybe you could try cutting away with one of the loopies..." She offers out a tool.

Andi says "Thanks.." And.. tries... aftter a minute "Oh this is better, thanks Miss J!"

Trust the new Yorker to not even TRY a Ma'am, but the respect is there

Dominick almost sparks iwth glamour as his own project continues.

Sparrow hums a little as she works on her pot. It is a fat, happy, and round little thing.

"Ack" Jill says as the wheel gets some clay onn her apron "I like how pretty it makes things but it's so messy"

"Mike SMASH..."

"Yes, sometimes beauty takes getting messy on the way. Don't worry about getting the apron messy, that's its job."

"Yes' ma'am" She sighs

"I'll be firing these before your next class, so next time you'll get to pick colors. That is less messy, too. What are your favorite colors?"

they all blurt out colors , save Dominick who points to his yellow notebook

And tthe first of the parents is arriving

"Good colors! Okay, let's put our projects on the Saturday shelf..."

And they do. Some parents are gathering for kid pick up but they smile through the glass window

"Okay... Andi, you look ready to fire. Jill, how are you feeling? Mike, very... primal, there. Ah, thank you, Dominick. Looking good!"

JIll says "I think I got wha I wanted"