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[cozen]

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[sulahnan]

But what if it did? Like an aravel with bird legs instead of wheels...

[ A long enough pause that she's clearly thinking about it more than it warrants. ]

I dunno, maybe there's just not enough...sky in here.

[cozen]

Not enough sky in your room?

[ Hmm. ]

You slept well in the jungle.

[sulahnan]

You're right. There wasn't enough sky there, either.

[ A kitten has joined the discussion, trampling on her and getting annoyingly close to the crystal. Loud purring and a mrep. ]

Maybe it's the trees. Percy, is it the trees? [ Myaaawn. ] I think that was a yes.

[cozen]

[ Aw, kitty. ]

Maybe we could experiment, when you have not already taken something. While it’s warm. Sleep in the garden. I could come with you—not forever, I am too old to sleep on the ground much if I don’t have to.

[sulahnan]

[ Aw! Bastien! ]

That's a great idea! I'll make you a feather mattress for your not-old bones.

[cozen]

My hero.

[ They can also just carry an existing mattress out, but he’s not gonna harsh her groove right now. ]

Don’t cut your hair. Not now. If you still want it to cut it in the morning, we can talk.

[sulahnan]

[ Her put-upon sigh is all play-acting. ]

Ugh, fine. I don't have shears anyway.

[ Squints. ]

Don't cut your hair, either.

[cozen]

Maybe I will grow it out as long as yours.

[sulahnan]

[ An awed whisper as she imagines it: wooow. ]

You'd be too powerful. The world isn't ready.

[cozen]

Next year, then. When they are ready. But you will have to teach me to braid.

[sulahnan]

Hm. Hm.

[ A noise that accompanies exactly two nods of agreement. ]

But I can only do threes and sixes. You'll have to ask someone else for the complicatored ones.

[cozen]

I don’t know. I am not sure I could trust anyone but you with my beautiful long hair.

[sulahnan]

Not even someone with my enders-ment?

[cozen]

Even then. It is more than knowing how to braid, you know? It is about trusting someone to hold your head in their hands.

[sulahnan]

Oh— [ A soft moue and she claps her hand over her heart. Bas. ]

Maybe I can learn to do them by then. You dessert the compelling braids.

[cozen]

Yes, I do. Thank you.

[sulahnan]

You're wylcome. I'll make a spice cake and then she'll teach me.

[cozen]

Who?

[sulahnan]

Derrica. She's great at braids.

[cozen]

Ah.

[ Hesitating. But he doesn't tell her that she doesn't need to do that, because the whole premise of him needing someone to braid his waist-length curls next year is ridiculous to begin with, so of course she doesn't need to do it. ]

Is everything all right, with you and her?

[sulahnan]

[ She's not in a state to think terribly deep thoughts, so the soft hum that Athessa makes is more sleepy than thoughtful. ]

I don't think now is, but maybe it'll someday. 'S a lot.

[ Then, more quietly, more sleepily: ]

I might...wanna go home soon.

[cozen]

Home?

[ Could be several places, as far as he knows. ]

[sulahnan]

Oaken staff and... cedar branch...

[ She's mumbling now, because she finally closed her eyes instead of fighting to keep them open. ]

We can bring your... ravens... feather bed...

[cozen]

[ Ah.

Aw. ]

Oh course.

Are you sleeping now?

[sulahnan]

Nuh-uh.

[ She is. ]

Mmnh.

[ Or is she? ]