#fenixtj

Some parts are hummed rather than sung along, but it is a happy collection of childlings.

And Candle on the water "I'll be your candle on the waterr..." has Ariel joining in again "my love for you will always burn!"

And the other girls must remember to keep an eye on Ariel, for she maybe the most cootie vulnerable of them all

when the last song ends.... Sir Buce goes down the hall, and Neema says "Go get em" eyes sparkling

"Oh! Sir Book! I mean, Sir Buce!" And Salma will go after him, dripping!

"Wait up!" Ellie scrambles after, leaving a trail of water.

And Ariel wont' even care if her leg fur fluffs! Following after

Sir Buce gasps dramatically as the situation is explained "Ye hath neer seen the NEVER ENDING STORY? Tragedy! This cannot be countenanced! Quicklky, like the four winds, hither to thy room girls, and I shall fetch the prize though I face a hundred foes!"

"Thank you, Sir Buce!"

To the room, to dry off and into PJs.. Fireheart tucked beside the bed for easy access...

And soon, there is a knock upon their door. Buce slides the DVD in.. and they behold clouds... radiant! And then... the song.... glorious! Credits roll to them...

and a boy wakes up on the screen with a gasp! And the tale begins!

And even Salma has no comments as the movie rolls... except at the end, "The movie IS a book, and the book is a movie, and that's the best of them all."

"And it never really ends" Ariel gasps

"Long have I searched for THE book, not just the novel, but the book in the Dreaming that the Writer must have dreamed of, or dreamed up, or was dream upchucked. I forget which... " Buce says after "It is my quest, my grail.. to find the Never Ending story book from the heart of the Dreaming itself"

"Ohhhh..."

A mighty yawn that she covers up. "Maybe if we watch it again..."

"Manana."

"Keep it ladies. I hath THREE copies" He assures

"Sleep well"

"Gracias, Sir Bastian Balthazar Buce."

"Good night, Damsel Pooktensia"

"And to thee, Countess Elen of Noir... and thee, Ariel of Shakspheran fame." A bow.. and the warrior leaves.

One last check for the sword. "Good night, Sir Buce..."

She whispers to the other girls, "Does he actually know your names?"

It's there.

Ariel giggles... "I like the way he talks... " Humm sleepy "never ending stoorree..zzzzzzzzz"

"It's hard to tell with a pooka."

"ahhh... (yaaawn... yaaaawn)" And she drifts off as well, one ear drooping over the edge of the top bunk.

"But he's nice."

Ash comes in, counts the kids, and then puts a thin blanket over Ellenoar "Shhh sleep. Your sword is there. And so am I. You can sleep safe."

"M'ready." Sleepy insistence.

"Shhh don't be too ready too fast. The world needs spring, little sapling countess. So very very badly" A whisper "Autumn comes all too soon. Don't rush it."

"M...ready too." A sleepy voice from the top bunk. "Mm... breakfast, churros and... potato tacos..." Nope, she's sleeping.

"Papas..."

Ellie does fall asleep - hand on her sword, but asleep.

"zzzzzzzzz" ariel says already somehow her hair is a mess.

Ash watches them fondly, and slips out of the door to find Holger asleep outside of it 'on guard'

"oh dear lord" She hefts the boy up "It's like carrying a baby elephant" And she goes to tuck him into HIS room. Yes, they need a teacher.. maybe a nanny. And she.. if this keeps up, will need a truss.

But despite her fussing she will wander by the girl's door later to make sure there are no nightmares.

(End Scene)

Whiissh Thunk... whisssh thunk... little arrows fly.

In another area, dueling practice, as Ash directs proper poise, stance, and guidance. "Remember what you learned about how to use your wrist"

Ellie nods and adjusts. Swishy-poke!

"Good good.. now remember to snap it back into place quickly. Your foe, if not defeated, will not give you much time to parry and you can't parry still extended"

"Like... this, yes?"

Ash watches carefully. She's not going to flatter if it's done wrong.

Then, nods "Good good.. now your reaction time could be a bit better, but that's part of why we're practicing"

"Yes!"

"Footwork is EXCELLENT" She approves