Copyright J.B. Norman
“We are friends,” Tenebella tells Amara and Kat, “and, as friends, we shall comport ourselves in the manner of friends and do the things that friends do.”
She frowns.
“Now,” she admits. “I have a question: what does one with their friends?”
She bashfully scratches her nose.
“I am more accustomed to minions rather than friends.”
Standing, as ever, close to Tenebella’s shoulder, Captain Ratsumies clears his throat.
“And vassals,” Tenebella mutters.
“Thank you, m’lady,” Captain Ratsumies says.
“Well,” Kat offers, “inviting us over to your house is a good start.”
“Yes!” Tenebella says giddily. “I have read that such slumber parties are a normal thing that normal people with normal friends normally do.”
“Normal people don’t use the word normal so much,” Kat mutters.
“And,” Amara adds, gazing up at the ancient stones and towering vaults of Castle Ansangaar, “typically the house one is invited to is not one of the most ancient and eldritch buildings in Realmgard.”
“Are you cold?” Tenebella asks. “Would you like another mammoth fur?”
“…Yes,” Amara concedes.
Contentedly snuggled under a pile of mammoth furs, Tenebella, Kat, and Amara begin their slumber party.
“As I understand it,” Tenebella says. “I believe this is the point where we eat ice cream, paint each other’s nails, and talk about the boys we like.”
“Boys are gross,” Kat scoffs.
“And,” Tenebella continues. “If there’s time, we can commune with the uncanny gods of the Sublunar Realm.”
“Excuse me?” Amara asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Eat ice cream?” Tenebella says, her eyes shifting uneasily from side to side.
“Ahem,” Captain Ratsumies says. “The Horsemen and I shall take our leave now. We shall be just on the other side of the door, standing guard — and no doubt listening to Gwaedbran speak at length of the boy she likes.”
Gwaedbran sighs wistfully. “My Tancred handles the reins of a battle boar with such deftness,” she notes.
As the Horsemen step out, Gwaedran’s ceaseless praise of Tancred is silenced by the great iron door slamming shut and echoing off the ancient walls of Castle Ansangaar. A little while later, the great iron door slams open, echoing off the ancient walls of Castle Ansangaar.
Kat wonders if the doors here always do that…
“Tenebella, honey,” Tenebella’s mother calls happily as she steps into the room. “I brought snacks for you and your friends!”
“Ugh, Mother,” Tenebella groans. “We do not want marshmallow squares and hot chocolate!”
“I want marshmallow squares and hot chocolate,” Kat protests.
“See, Tenebella, honey? It pays to be a good host, dear,” Tenebella’s mother says.
She starts handing out the marshmallow squares and hot chocolate.
“Now, girls, don’t stay up too late,” she tells them. “And, Tenebella, honey, would you like me to come back a little later to sing your good-night song so you don’t get any bad dreams tonight?”
“No, Mother!” Tenebella cries.
She glowers at her mother.
“Kat knows the words perfectly fine, thank you.”
“Oh!” Tenebella’s mother says happily, patting Kat’s head. “You’re such a good and caring friend to my daughter!”
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