#rescuemiriam

"I.... I would not have her... no, Golnaz is no friend, but..." She frowns. "I do not know if she would sit well if she let slip the lioness within."

"Golnaz would use iron, I believe. She would use such a dire thing as if it were steel."

The pooka nods at that "the yellow flower twists inside, burning with her own nettles. But I do not think it is good to let this weed grow. Forgive me." A swallow

"She is twisted, and lashes out. But... but she has been crafted so. A beaten dog will bite."

"that dog is rabid" Her sister says..then Clem returns and brings the cups for all. Tea just how Zara likes it is presented before her. Offerings of sugar and 'normal' cream await Cassandra.

"Mayhaps. And that... that is a case for more pity than anger. I don't know if I could... could... even if I brought the knife."

"Thank you, Clem."

The pooka frowns at mention of the knife.

Clem says "You're welcome. You realize I wanna know the whole story right? Every drollop of it?"

"Death is an abomination."

"I know. I know not how well I could tell it. May I sleep here? May my sister?"

"Of course. We'll set up a room for you both, which you'll probably ignore and try to sleep near Earl instead so I'll make a curtain so you two can have some privacy and get a second cot near him if you prefer that. " Clem says knowingly "Either way, your call. And Cassandra, are you okay with a feather bed?" //The pooka smiles "I welcome it with eagerness unsurpassed."

Her eyes light up at the mention of a cot and she nods. "That. Yes. Please."

"Figured." Clementine pats her friend's hand "Now now matter how badly you tell it, I do want to hear it. But I'll have things set up by the hearth folk." She motions, and some younger wilders start to set things up and leave. Zara ,shares as much as she will with Clem, before she is left alone- alone except with her hunter. He sleeps. Safe. Sound. Near her. She can sleep now.

And so she does - one chilly hand stretched across the gap to clasp his as they both slumber.

Even in his sleep, he squeezes...and they slumber together.

(End Scene)