#scarsdale

and a soft knock

Zara fetches the door

Vashti is there, with a present, "Blessings on all in this humble abode"

"Oh, wonderful! Thou art here." She grabs Vashti by the arm to drag her inside. "There's food!"

"Food? How novel. I've done naught to deserve it" She says impressed

She is dragged inside, "My love and lord was too busy training new fledges to dote on me hand and foot, how rude"

"Feh. We shalt pack a tupperware."

"So this is a Gnu year? Do the Gnus know?" She offers up her gift "Where should I put this?"

"Oh. Ah... give it to Mama?"

She walks into the kitchen right then and there.

For a moment, Zara maybe worried Vashti has the severed head of a neo nazi in a box. Lovely thought, wrong gift despite intentions.

It can probably be fixed via the application of pastries, whatever it is.

Then she hears her mother go "Oh... Vashti, how lovely"

Should she peek.... and let's face it, Zara is probably going to peek... she sees Vashti has fashioned a little 'baby zara' doll, a sickly babe with white hair and large eyes

A soft chuff.

"It's made from her real hair, but... sadly, adult hair. I missed her baby years by THIS much" Vashti apologizes

Earl looks at the hair CAREFULLY, and a bit alarmed

Hannah doesn't know whehter the pooka is serious about THAT part or not "We'll keep the doll secure then. Wise is she who burns her toenail trimmings, that's a Jewish thing"

"Today I learned I'm Jewish" Vashti says in surprise

"Ah, Vashti?"

"Yes, Zara?" Vashti responds dutifully

"Did I say something rude?" She looks concerned

"Hair?"

"Perhaps I kidnapped an Albino yak?" She offers hope

"One hopes."

Earl sniffs the hair on the doll's head, then says "It's not your hair, Zara. It doesn't smell of Autumn last gasp before winter, of soil wet with tears"

Vashti glares at earl "Thou art no gent"

She stretches up to peck Earl on the cheek.

Earl smiles at that

Keeping the peace, Hannah says "Well, it's LOVELY and we will treasure it"

Vashti beams at Hannah at that

A satisfied nod. All is well. And there's cake!

Tziporah comes in "Did someone say CAKE?" She is carrying food

And Hannah blinks "Tizzzy, you brought food?"

"I cooked it" She says proudly! "I figured you work too hard so I 'd chip in. "

"Oh" Hannah says "How lovely and ...kind" She takes the offered food, sniffing it a bit cautiously

"It looks lovely, Tzip."

"Thank you" She says proudly "I aged a kuggle for you, sis. Purple container"

"Ooo..."

Hannah however looks troubled at some of the offerings, "Yes I'm sure it will all be lovely"

An eyebrow?

"Tizzy dear... did you have this sealed? The others"

"I.. thought I did?" she peeks

"They've gone bad. There's mold. Your container has a crack in the 'good one'"

Hannah looks at her apologeticly

Of course, to Zara, that smells rather promising

"How did it go bad so fast?" her sister flushes "Oh my"