#scarsdale

Zara, of course, is in grey. Her teacup is the Austen, and Marzanna has been awarded the Christie.

"well, i adore black, of course, but certain greens and blues, those off typiical glimmerings added to it can appeal." She runs hands along the name of the cup "Agatha Christie? Oh how flattering"

"They were a gift. Charming, are they not?"

"wondrous...and easily adding a touch of literary style to an already pleasant tea. Besides, Dame Christie is to be commended. A trail of bodies in her literary wake, and the world applauds"

"She... why, I think she would do a nocker proud - her plots are intricate as clockwork."

"Or a spider's web" A sip

"Aye." A smile.

"The latter, of course, being the more lethal of the two..."

"Indeed," A smile back then a sigh "of course, sister's near destruction means spiders won't be moving into spring"

"Oh, there are some orb weaver clusters in our garden - the wind should bring a few spiderlings your way, come spring."

"Oh! Orb weavers. you are so fortunate" A nod "I do have some good news. I was able to find the gargoyles sister had removed. They'll be returned to their perches"

She claps. "Wunderbar!"

"it is." A sigh "Soon their sinister glares will once again sparkle under the moonlight. And the mist green accents on the building should match their corodded state"

"You know... some judiciously placed dry ice...."

"Oh my.. mmm would the ncckers in your family have a fog machine?"

"Maaayyyyybe."

a shocked O, then "For a sluagh who worries she is too gregarious and quick to answer, you now dangle the prize of certainty before me "

"But think, aye ? Wait for a night when the moon is a mere sliver... mayhaps when those accursed carolers take to the streets..."

"o" her eyes flicker "how wonderful, dastardly and diabolical. Are they such a plague in this area then?"

"Not terribly. We outnumber them."

"I like the one about the kings, though. And there's a lovely one about the midwinter - melancholy."

"They usually sing garish ones, though. Bells and la-la-las."

"Mmm this could be fun"

"Aye... a good scare would warm them on a snowy eve! Why, tis a kindness!"

"I wonder if I could find a way to get the gargoyles to echo their chorus?"

"Mayhaps... some kind of bluetooth speaker?"

"You could filter it through an app...."

"... you know, I bet I could. Perhaps alter the lyrics a bit. tis the season to be jolly, could come out as 'tis the reaping of thy folly'"

She rattles like reeds in the wind, a spate of giggles.

"My sister ewas not loyal but one cannot be aroudn pooka without learning a few things "

"It is.... distressing, when a sibling betrays you. Aye."

"Ah, I thought you an only..." She looks about "Forgive, I am too direct"

"I think the trick is getting it so they cannot harm you - but... finding a way to forgive, without opening up for another attack."

"My siblings were not raised with me."

"I am sorry, here I was dwelling on my own sorrows and resentment"

A gesture. "Tis naught. Family is complicated. You have met Mama, briefly - she and Papa adopted me when I was an infant."

"Your mother seems a most gracious woman"

"She is. Never an unkind act."

"You are blessed, but I see you know it" A thought "If I set this up to spook the carolers, would you like to be in on it? "

Grey lips curl in a smile. "Methinks it could be most amusing."

"I shall take that as an interest in the affirmative"

(End Scene?)

((oops))

And so they plot and drink tea, until homework and other duties call?

Oh yes, indeed.

(End Scene)