#fenixtj

Salma circles the box. And circles it again. Her nose twitches. Her fingers twitch. She hesitates.... and then, so goes to find Ellie.

Ellie has set up the collection of dolls (hers, Ariel's and Salma's) in a circle around a 'table' made up of stacked books and a purloined napkin.

"Princesca, por favor, there is a matter of some import."

Curtseying to the little countesa

"Salma! You are just in time for the privy council!"

"Oh!" Curtseying in turn to each doll. "Madame Eclair, Mademoiselle Petit For"... These... are not their names, but that doesn't stop the pooka.

This is a given and accepted. "But if it is an emergency, the council can wait."

A nod nod nod! "Princesca, have you had any... visions, of impending doom?"

Soberly, but with a touch of sparkle in her eyes belying any real danger.

She closes her eyes, contemplating.

"No." Somberly, gravely.

"Unless you mean the one about Holgar getting a tummy ache from too many churros."

"Oh!" Delighted. "Then this cannot possibly be a trap." And then she pauses. "Oh, dear. We had best hurry back before Holgar sees what there is to see. He may try to save us from the Peril."

Holding out a hand to Ellie.

"Oh? Okay!" She takes her friend's hand, to follow!

Soon, TWO childlings survey the setup.

A Box, childlng sized, propped up with a stick... with tempting churro and a book that Salma has not read underneath.

"Salma, I think this might be a trap." A pause. "But maybe it is a fun trap?"

"If... IF I had a light with me, it is not a trap at all. It is a cozy nook to safely eat a churro within as I read."

She ponders this.

"But there is no room for two."

"Alas."

Slowly circling the trap, her donkey tail twitching a bit.

"I like it when you read aloud. You do the best voices."

"The voices live within the book, I merely let them out!"

A bright smile. "AND the story is never the same twice! I like surprises."

"No story is written in stone." She says, with a grin. "And even if it was. It would be too heavy to turn the pages!"

"Except, maybe for Holgar."

"What if we got something to hook the goodies, and draw them out without getting caught inside?"

"Like, a fishing pole?" She ponders.

"Our caballero is very strong."

"Oh, si!"

"Do we have one?"

"Noooo... but we could make one? We need a stick, a string, and a hook..."

"There is a stick and a string here!"

"A different stick and string!"

"Ohhhhhhh!"

"There are strings on Ariel's guitar."

"There are, but there's also string, um..."

"Spaghetti!"

Ellie dissolves into giggles.

"Silkworms, in the garden..." Salma continues with all manner of improbably suggestions.

"Sir Buce has many strings, on his tail?"

"Oh, si! And Senora Rosa's apron ties, and the bow string from the warrior's weapons..."

"Senora Maria's knitting basket..." More giggling.

"Ramona's whiskers!"

"We would need a VERY tiny stick for those..."

"A catnip twig?"

"But then, Ramona would follow it."

"Oh, no, we mustn't."