#earthrunes

"Mine palate is so refined has crystalized" Her sister feigns hurt

Jack chuckles "Ah, you got it, ladies. And if it matters, both of you class up the join fierce"

Zara looks pleased.

"And it is not so long ere I am one and twenty summers."

"Oh hey, we should have a big party about that one... well, a quiet big party?" He says "Lady's choice" He says as he prepares

"why sister, you're counting in summers now" A smile

"Tis the season. And I was born in summer."

"Most undignified, save that my mother chose a proper day."

"Ah, truth "

the swamp water is set before them, Jack says "there you go, ladies"

Zara raises hers in a toast, holding it out for a clink.

Her sister raises hers, and a dainty clink can be heard, albiet it softly

Clink, and a delicate sip.

As before, this is a fine witchy brew

"Oh sister" Vashti says "Tis like the balmy seas of mordor, in a cup"

"See? No falsehoods have I uttered."

"Tis true, thou missed thy calling as a pooka" She has cheered considerably, and tries a dainty sandwich "Neglect not thy salteen"

Zara gums at her food - typically when Vashti is NOT looking

"Oh zara... reminds me. Could I show you something I made for Veronika?" Naming the Rusalka

That from Jack

"Aye?"

"Hold on, even got a stale one" ' with gloves on, he drops something in her drink. Normally she'd be offended but he did ask and...what's this? Tis a lttle man made of marshmellow! Well, a marshmellow shaped like a man.

Why, it looks like a drowning victim of sorts, if one does not lack imagination

"See, Rusalka talk about drowning evil doers and the like so... " Jack says "I thought there might be a call for this for party drinks "

Zara claps!

"Oh, that is wonderful!"

"Tis amazing... may I have some neeer do weell staypuff scoundrels?" Vashti says "I so long to punish them"

"Sure, let me get you some fresher ones" he does offer them straws or spoons too "You can push them down with these"

Zara pokes the marshmallow man with her swizzle stick, making him bob.

She giggles.

"Or the swizzle stick" He grins

Vasthi grins as she mimes "oh spare me , river spirit, I have learned my lesson... ah, too late. glug glug"

"I think I shall require these for my birthday."

"I'll make more" Jack says getting the message

"hee." She makes it drown again.

Vashti titters. There is something soothing about this

or perhaps merely uplifting

Certainly, their glee isn't disturbing!

Any shivers passerbys get is their own doing

"Well, if you two love it, Veronika should as well"

"I thnk she will, yes."

The two sisters enjoy this, and Vashti inquires "what dost thou crave for thy birthday?"

"Oh, the usual. Books. Tea. Thread."

A bit of the pooka nudge slips in 'Ah, naught different that you mask from the rest of us wistfully?"

A sigh.

"Adventure."

"As much as I love to have my home, to return to the familiar, I do love a bit of spice."

Vashti ponders "Mmm well one can whip up adventure easily, of course. But... who knows" Intrigued

"Does not the noise and sturm and drang not make home all the better? To return, with new experiences and stolen trophies for the mantel..."

"Scandalous" She tuts at her sister, but her eyes sparkle