#scarsdale

"Oh, he is the poet and the artist.... I ape words, mostly. I would that... I worry, oft, that I cannot express my devotion properly. Not when he is a beacon."

"Feh as is my wont to say" She sniffs, "I have seen his eyes. they reflect your light, pale though it maybe, you are the moon and river to him. He sees by the silver light you cast and reflect."

"See? Aye. That is why..." she gestures, spiery hands spread in front of her - cheeks pink again. "Thy gift."

"I was glad of it, because it... I could give, totally."

"pagan already" A smile.

"A sacrifice on the horned one's altar?"

"Pink the fog changes , and yet I see her designs forming"

A soft rasp. "Aye. Always thinking."

"I shall not pry too much, as long as these designs bring joy to thee"

"I suspect you could pry much, if you wished. But no, wherever I go, I think I should be well-pleased."

"tis true, folks do love pestering pooka with their ...bothersome secrets.. Tut."

"A terrible burden, I'm sure."

"Oh, thou would hate it. One moment there I am, minding mine own , then the next someone is coming up and confusing to me such things as 'the one I most enjoy teasing is...'"

"Aye, so many chattering birds..."

"yes, as if tormenting one was enough? Why, you yourself could name three you enjoy riling, if affectionately"

"Oh, aye... it can be fun to hide behind the reputation of my kith, nu? To be coy and evasive and difficult... though Earl, truth, I do it in jest. I would not want him bored with me."

"And mine teacher, Emmit - it is good to get one back at him. I think he enjoys riling me, as well."

"But oh, the sidhe - any sidhe, if I may confound them... and do so in a way unassailable, in a mannerly fashion where they have no recourse? Oh, that is delicious."

A grin

And a blush

"To them I may be witch, and ghost, and the impossible circumstance. I would foil them, and see them fume, and never cross their gaze. They know only that their plans lie in ruins."

"You have.." A pause, "nay, tis not fair to coax thee further into a life of chattering, though I do value. "

"Oh, I have my little secret hoard, my prized memories. Surely, pooka remember their greatest pranks?"

"Aye, but tis hard to boast of it for we are so modest as well as honest"

"Well, you needn't boast. Memories are as movies."

"I am sure you have some that shine, aye? That may sing to thee?" She reaches out, gently touching her sister's hair.

"well, I know ye like him, so.. I may have arranged by prank for a squire for thine wooden friend."

"Wooden..." A moment. "A squire! August's note!" Another rasp of air, an almost-laugh.

A smile, " Iknow thou enjoy vexing them, but the good ones should be the ones who shape young minds if young minds insist on going over squire bluff aye?"

A guilty look at something, "My cabbage Rose may think twas his stroke of brilliance."

"Well, sometimes we must let them think so."

"But... while I... that is not my road, my Hunter is also My Knight Errant. If one wishes to follow it, there are far worse lords than August."

"Dost thou wish a squire for thy hunter?"

A vehement shake of her head. "I am far too jealous."

"I do not share well. I am greedy with all those I love. A failing, perhaps."

"Mayhaps, but if it is, it is a great one" A smile

"I have... oh, Vashti, I have thought of swearing with him, to him... I, who spurn all oaths. It is unknown territory, for what we have... it is nothing like a novel. Surely, he will tire of me, or... or we drift apart..."

"Well, of course any girl should swear right away at your age," A roll of her eyes, "Does he ask this of thee?"

She shakes her head. "He doesn't. He asks nothing of me. Which, mayhaps, is why I wish to give him so much?"

"My green eyes shine at such a conundrum, but methinks you are still fresh for a hothouse of oaths"

"I fear an oath would seem a cage. And there is little I hate more."

"It is one thing to.... surrender. Another to be without choice."

"then if he understand, then ..." She spreads her hands, "Do not flog thyself when no other will." A pause, "Unless one has partaken of one of CC's cordials."

"Vashti!" Zara blushes, ducking her head but grinning.

A blush back, but also a sly smile

"I like that name for thee. It makes me think of magic. Though I hope you mind it not when I call you Cassandra?"

A pause, "Twas a name used by hundreds I despised," Hard to explain, "But from thee ? the venom is more pleasant?"

Her eyes widen, a flash of guilt. "Vashti it shall be, then."

"Oh, from thee Cassandra is lighter than feathers" a hand, "Should thou slip, fear not. I will catch thee"

"Irony, in a way... a Vashti and an Esther. "