Closing Up Shop

Fate

Mid-morning

Sasha! has nearly ridden to the peak of the sky, shining painfully bright over the thick blanket of snow that coats the town. Few souls are outside today, save some romping children and other folks in transit—and Kelly, helping the Morellos re-shingle one particularly leaky section of their roof now that the weather's let up. The scent of cooking is thick on the air, however, as different households are preparing for feasts of different kinds of food. Music drifts over from the Wrens' place, (of course, there's always music around this town, as song falls easily from everyone's throats) where apparently the musicians are gathering to practice for tomorrow's party.

Similarly to the rest of town, the Swan Maiden's house is quiet, unlit because visitors are sparse throughout the winter. The messenger who had dropped off Aaren's letter had left a couple days ago (his departure logged by the Prepekti Ivana Ivanovič Almirov Kovač, in full uniform, of course). When Maria and Quinn file in, stomping their boots out and removing their coats in the cloakroom, the atmosphere is almost dormant. Neither of them break this silence—Maria has been a little subdued and out of it since his return, and Quinn is not given to talking much to begin with. Instead, they begin with the daily tasks that they've been taught over the past week or so: Maria sweeps the ashes out of the hearth and Quinn checks on each of the various plants, making sure they have enough water.

Daina

Daina swung past the swan enclosure before making her way to the SMH, a found feather tucked in her hair as she enters through a backdoor in the kitchen. To be fair a round tree having a back and front yard isn't exactly right but she wasn't feeling like making up new words for the around house yard.
She tilts her head a little hearing the sedate methodical sound of simple chores being done and smiles a little bit as she sets to work herself. She doesn't join Maria and Quinn yet though. Instead she sets to cooking blue berry pierogi and checking the food stores while they cook, making sure nothing perishable is left in the cellar or cabinets.

Fate

What little is left in terms of perishables is only that which Daina couldn't include in any recent dishes or pawn off on various other people throughout town. (Few people seem to appreciate the exciting potential of "Marmot Cheese". It was a bonus thrown in by the Chlovak trading company that had come by in autumn, apparently all the rage in high-society Domochlovek at present. Perhaps this would best be fed to the goats, or quietly served up and slipped into tomorrow's party.)

Soon enough the smells of cooking begin to infuse the air in the sleepy Swan Maiden's house. It's quiet for some time, just the sounds of the kitchen, the sounds of other maintenance chores, the low humming of various "doing things" songs, and the creaking and groaning of the tree itself, as well as the occasional THUD of piles of snow being shed from the house's upper branches. Once, Quinn slips into the kitchen, singing her "not-actually-sneaking-but-totally-sneaking" song to steal a pierogi from over Daina's shoulder before washing the dishes that Daina's finished using.

Meanwhile, Maria puts a couple cords of firewood in the large hearth but doesn't light it. Instead, he begins sweeping the floor but is very clearly not committed to doing more than a possibly-satisfactory job as he sings the "I hate sweeping" song under his breath.

Daina

Daina is humming a tune when Quinn manages to be ever so sneaky. A smile turning her lips as she glances over. "Nothing to hard to do around here right?" she starts dusting the remaining pierogi with powdered sugar. A quiet hum of a thank you song as the dishes are being handled.
She hears the faint thud of the firewood but being in the kitchen baking she's not in any hurry to light that either. Daina leans out of the doorway "Mariaaa, come get one of these before they're not warm anymore." she calls before leaning back in and looking around the kitchen. She frowns a little " feel like I'm forgetting... something" she grumbles softly.

Fate

She hums in negative in response to Daina's question. For good measure, Quinn quickly dries a hand off on her pants and grabs another, powder-dusted pierogi after Daina calls to Maria.

Maria comes into the kitchen once summoned and takes one of the treats, immediately popping it into his mouth, before grabbing another between his thumb and forefinger, and one more for each spot between his fingers. He sings the "thank you, this is yummy" song before going outside to dig a spot for a new outhouse. The tune he sings is different this time—though it's still the "I hate sweeping" song, it's sounding a little thinner now out in the open air, and much more cheerful than before.

It seems to draw an audience. A set of footsteps crunches in the snow, drawing closer. Maria keeps working, but sings the song of greeting. It's returned.

"How long until you're free?" asks the visitor. It's a distinct voice, which belongs to one Renata Babineaux.

"Depends," says Maria, pausing in his work. "I can probably get a few minutes now, if you want." He unobtrusively hums the "I'm available to canoodle" song.

Renata responds with a reluctant negative song. "I'm just headed to get some supplies for Gruncle's shed. He's been having me make a canoe for the fishers since after Day of Night." Then, after a pause, she says, "Maybe in an hour?"

Maria sings an affirmative and starts digging again.

"Aaaand when you're done for the day, you wanna maybe come by and sweat with me and Rita and Aspen and Nolan?" Renata asks.

Maria sings brightly at the prospect, "Yeah, sure."

Daina

Daina chuckles a little bit at the continued sounds of reluctant chore accomplishment. To Quinn she questions "Do you remember the signs of the house getting sick? I don't think it will but catching things early is always better" she bites a warm pierogi in half some of the blueberry staining her fingers as she over hears the exchange outside.
She pauses a moment and considers calling out that Maria can go on and she'll finish up here, but a little waiting for canoodling doesn't hurt anyone.
Her attention back onto Quinn she follows that question with another "is there anything you want to ask about, I'm pretty sure tomorrow is going to be too full for anymore work to be done" she reasons with a faint smile.

Fate

Quinn sings a simple affirmative to Daina's first question, then a shrug to Daina's second. There was probably stuff she doesn't know, but she doesn't know what that stuff would be. Clearly that's not too bothersome a thought. Meanwhile, Renata chirps a, "See you in an hour!" and heads out.

Not long after there's the sound of heavy boots crunching in the snow.

—Songbird.—The word is deep, booming, tuneless, and spoken in Chlovak.—That smell. What is it.—(It's less a question and more an order.)—I seek its source.

Maria responds, his voice lilting in sass.—Pretty sure that's the smell of someone who recently took a dip in a lake of cider. No one like that here, I'm afraid. Keep looking, though. You might find him.

There's a long, tense pause.

And then a laugh booms out, followed by a heavy, meaty-sounding thud, Maria's grunt of alarmed but stifled pain, and the sound of something person-sized plopping into the snow. Then the laugh stops, as suddenly as it started, followed by the sound of the large boots moving again.

—You're funny, songbird. For a moment, I forgot that I have no sense of humor when I am hungover.—It's delivered completely deadpan, alongside the sound of someone brushing off clothes.—It is coming from inside there. Yes?

Maria replies in a strained affirmative song.

—Use your words.

—Yes.

There's another pause.—Thank you.—And then there's the slight ping of the flicking of a coin, followed by a plop in the snow.—Another, for your joke.—Another ping and plop.

Then the heavy boots trod towards the back door, heralded by a heady mixture of apples and alcohol.

Daina

Daina smiles some "yeah probably a bunch of things I will think to tell you guys once we're a few hours on the road." Her brow furrowing a little as she listens to the exchange and moves towards the door. Singing out a question to Maria, is he alright?
Hearing more of the exchange she frowns as she opens the door and peers out into the snow to see who's being so loud today and her nose twitches slightly at that scent of cider. "busy day so far?" she questions, putting out feelers for what to expect.

Fate

Quinn goes completely quiet and follows not far behind Daina, standing by her shoulder as she opens the door.

Before her stands a fellow nearly eight feet tall, and twice as broad as the next broadest person in the town. He is bedecked from head to toe in finely embroidered and heavily jeweled clothing done in all manner of vivid colors, with a broad, studded belt spanning his waist, the belt buckle appearing as the head of a dragon with a long tongue. But he's in clear disarray, with his lace-up shirt untucked, his sleeve cuffs unbuttoned, one of his sleeve garters missing, and his coat thrown on sloppily. A scarf is wrapped around his head, above his nose, leaving only a narrow slit for his eyes, and his glorious fur hat is placed askew atop it. Through them, Daina can glimpse how red-rimmed they are.

He is the source of the prodigious cider smell. It's a coming off him a little stale.

Maria, on the other hand, is simply standing there, some distance away, holding his shoulder with his other hand and tension tightened around his eyes. He takes some deep breaths for a moment before he flicks a look Daina's way and hums a strained affirmative through a mouth pressed flat and thin.

—Hello.—Dragomir Mstivič Svetov Baran the No-Longer-A-Baby Bogatyr sketches a brief, half-hearted bow.—What are you cooking?

Daina

She straightens up some "Oh, well met Dragomir.. ah we're having some pierogi, I'll be glad to give you some once you've had a soak in a tub that isn't full o' cider" she smirks slightly. "I'll even heat the water m'self" she offers. I'm assuming there are tubs and the tree can fill them with cold water from the river via special roots

Fate

Aye, that is certainly within Daina's capabilities.
Dragomir stands there a moment, still save his slow blinking. Then:—But I'm hungry.

(Meanwhile, Maria rolls his shoulder carefully, lips still pressed thin. This evokes more tightness in his expression.)

Daina

—"sooner ya get in the bath then sooner you're not hungry anymore right?"—she reasons before looking to Maria "Hey.. wanna go see Aaren to get your arm seen to?" she looks to Dragomir and attempts to get a good feel for his specific warmth how it's different how it's the same etc. do I need to roll?

Fate

No need to roll.

Maria songlessly shakes his head, dropping his hand and then heading over to take up the shovel again from where it fell in the snow, setting at the outhouse digging with considerably less verve than before. Quinn slips past Daina and Dragomir and heads Maria's way to help him out. Dragomir simply ignores her as he processes Daina's suggestion.

—I do not want a bath. I want food.—But then, after a moment of consideration, he amends:—But if the lady wishes to bathe me, then I will consent.

Dragomir's warmth is much like every other healthy, muscular, young, non-pregnant person Daina has come across, although he generates quite a lot of it. (Not surprising, given his size.) It's currently considerably cooler on his torso, which makes sense given how both his coat and his shirt are open.

Daina

She glances with concern to Maria "you're sure you're fine?" then to Dragomir.—"can you please be more careful with my family?"—a slight frown turning her lips before he consents to a bath with some aid.—"I can come scrub your back if it means getting rid of that stale cider scent"—She beckons him to follow to the large center room on the second floor, well ensconced in the tree and seemingly a wooden spa? it's got a huge tub and seats along the edges.

Fate

Quinn holds her hand out for the shovel, with a brief inquisitive hum. Maria considers, then lets her take it, beginning to head back around front to take up his part of the wordless trade of duties. "I'll probably be okay. Just hurts." He glances Dragomir's way. "Feels like I got kicked by a rabbit, is all. Guess I have something new to talk about with Tris."

Dragomir grunts something that could be loosely interpreted as assent and follows Daina up to the tub. As it fills up he removes his hat and coat and boots, then simply stands there, still mostly-clothed, waiting.

Daina

Daina snorts softly at Maria and then leads the way up. She pulls the lever that lets water flow down into the large tub waiting for it to get full before heating it.—"Yer gonna bath in yer clothes?"— She questions with a faint shake of her head. "I don't do laundry for free" she notes .. actually don't suppose I've got time to do laundry save for my own anyway"—said in Cholvak but mostly to herself.

Fate

To this, Dragomir lifts his arms up and holds them in place.

(Clearly he's expecting her to do the rest of the undressing for him.)

Daina

She quirks a brow. "Ok I'll help ya since this was my idea.. I do hope you don't need so much assistance every time you bathe I don't think you'll find it easily 'round these parts" She isn't going to be able to reach so she puts a few vine seeds down not too far from him and with a very turny small dance encourages them to grow and makes sure they're strong enough for this. The vines going all disney and seeming to take on a personality as they lift pull tug and otherwise move him and his clothing to get him fully undressed and ready for the bath.

Fate

He offers no response, simply doing the utmost minimum moving that he can do. When the scarf is finally unwound from his face, he clenches his eyes shut, his face scrunched in displeasure. He opens an eye only to accurately make his way to the tub. Then he sinks into the steaming water with a sigh, sliding until he's submerged entirely (and displacing a lot of water while he's at it). After a long, quiet moment he resurfaces and then simply sits there, waiting for the hostess to do the hostessing.

Daina

Daina rolls up her sleeves and goes about doing just that, Getting her self soaked in the process but a little heat and she'll just steam dry. She makes sure to scrub his hair twice. Half through she pauses and sings out to see if Maria and Quinn are still around and in ear shot. She'd ask them if they would go see the localish berry wolf to get some more berries.. she doubts they have enough here at the moment.

Fate

Quinn sings up a confirmation, and her footsteps can be heard crunching through the snow towards the edge of the woods. Maria, on the other hand, continues to move about at work downstairs.

As Daina gets to work, Dragomir relaxes, breath by breath, muscle by muscle. Slowly, he opens his eyes (though never much past half-closed) and watches quietly while Daina scrubs him. Throughout he proves half-heartedly amenable to instruction, but much of it falls just short of helpful. He's also not terribly talkative, which only serves to make the whole process longer.

All that done, he steps out of the bath and waits with his usual wordless expectation until he's dried. But at least he dresses himself afterward, albeit somewhat more haphazardly than before. (The scarf returns to its place over the upper half of his face while the hat, coat, boots, and socks remain on the floor.)

By the time they make it back downstairs, Quinn has returned with a large basketful of shed berries and has begun washing them. Maria is currently dusting off the shelves (because that, at least, he can do with just one arm).

Daina

She is amiable through out and provides him with names and ideas and such for how he might be helpful around the town, even if he's not listening. The water when drained is sent through the tree to various different other plants that will need it including the new vines that are going to at least be there next time Daina needs them, but probably not doing much without her direction. She sings a thanks to Quinn and gestures Dragomir to a seat that will hopefully bear his weight.
Glancing over to Maria she frowns "if you're hurt you should maybe.. bind it up to your side until Aaren is free?" figuring Maria is resisting cause he assumes his sister is busy, and she likely is.
She starts cooking the pierogi with the berries in it and likely some sugar and butter to make a syrup.
—Dragomir, do you have plans for your time in town?—pausing—I know you can drink, can you brew?—she questions as she works.

Fate

Once downstairs, Dragomir lumbers to the counter and lays a couple of twenty-piece strings of Chlovak coin there before moving to the seat that Daina indicates. The chair creaks and groans under his weight, but holds.

Maria shrugs on one side in response to Daina's concern. "It's gonna hurt no matter what and if it falls off Aaren can just put it back during dinner."

Quinn smirks. "Grow a rabbit arm."

Maria brightens. "Ooooh. Good plan."

Throughout this exchange, Dragomir sits there, waiting for his pierogis. He does, however, offer Daina a response, which is:—No.

Perhaps that's the answer to both her questions.

Daina

She hmms softly and then laughs at what the others josh about. She nods her thanks for the pay and gets about delivering up the desired foods, attempting to make enough to take some home but not exactly holding out great hope. She explains to Dragomir the joke that the arm that was injured might fall off and then be replaced with a rabbit arm.

Fate

Before Daina even sets down the platter of pierogis, Dragomir takes a fistful and crams it in his mouth. Then, just as she's leaving, he makes a grab for her wrist. He's surprisingly fast for a man his size, but it's a casual, non-urgent grab.

Daina

She hmms and looks over—need somethin' else?—asked with a 'happy to help' sort of sing song.

Fate

He tugs her easily into his lap, with such easy strength that she practically flies. Then he wraps an arm around her, settling there for the long haul, still chewing his mouthful. With his free hand, he offers her a pierogi.

Daina

Is pulled to lap and arches her brows a little. Making a note to find out if he treats all the ladies he meets like this. Some might be delighted with such attention but she was a little worried for those who weren't. -Funny way of asking a lady to join you- she sings with a faint tone of amusement tinged with a little worry on the back end. She shakes her head to the offer of the pierogi.—no, no thanks enjoy yourself—She gives him a thumbs up. Not fighting the seating or anything but not exactly sinking into it either. She offers to tell him some stories about the town to amuse him while he eats.

Fate

Dragomir is entirely unfazed at her comment and turning down the pierogi, instead popping it into his own mouth before grabbing another handful. But at her offer he chews and swallows before saying:—You like to talk.

At the note of worry Maria stops what he's doing and watches Daina and Dragomir, uneasy and uncertain. Quinn, on the other hand, is oblivious, humming as she continues washing the blackberries.

Daina

She hums softly "—I do somethimes but also I wouldn't talk so much if other people offered more conversation..—" She returns as she sits gracefully, on leg folded over the other and her chin in her hand. Still steaming her clothes clean so probably quite warm to the touch. She's not sitting uncomfortably and seems relaxed enough and not scared for herself at all. Maria probably knowing her and her songs would realize it's the I'm worried for the town note.

Fate

He furrows his brow underneath his face-scarf. He looks her down and up.

—They say you are a goddess.—Not quite finished, he searches for something to add.—You're so small. And warm. Like a cat.—He moves to pet one gigantic paw of a hand through her hair.

After listening for a little bit longer, Maria gets back to work.

Daina

Daina smiles a little at the attempt, appreciating it. She's actually not too bad about getting pet, why the hell not. She does hope he keeps the sugary syrup of the pierogi out of her hair though. "I suppose those things are sort of like a cat yeah... I mean I can -be- a cat if you need a furry buddy for a little while. Just gotta go do a few more things before tomorrow. So I'll have ta leave ya to your own devises fairly soon" She clearly is a super hostess able to be the pet at the party for the awkward people and -everything-

Fate

Dragomir examines her again.—You can be a cat?—It's curiosity, not dubiousness.
—And a wolf, and a fish, and a swan...—Maria says.

Daina

Daina nods faintly "let me up and I'll show ya" she squirms out of his grasp regardless of agreement, letting certain muscles go lax so she slides down and then springs up. She takes a few steps back and rolls into her wolven form. Barking and then posing because she is a cute wolf with ears and fluffs of the face and tail and so on.

Fate

He lets her go without a fuss, watching the whole transformation as best as he can. But when she barks, he drops his handful of pierogis (some hitting the floor) and claps his hands to his ears with a bellow, mouth twisted in pain, and bends forward on himself, groaning through clenched teeth.

Daina

Daina startles and grimaces "—OH.. are you alright?—" she questions after resuming her human shape and reaches out to pat his shoulder lightly. "—sorry didn't mean ta hurt your ears—"

Fate

When he yelps, Maria and Quinn both tighten. Quinn sings her "should I get Aaren?" song, to which Maria replies, "No, he's just hungover."

—Healer...—Dragomir moans, refusing to unfold himself.

Daina

Daina grimaces a little and then glances to Maria "He's askin' for a healer, you're sure he's only hung over?" she questions, warming her hand and trying to rub some tension out of his neck. Attempting to assess if he does in fact need a healer or if he's just being a big baby despite not being a baby anymore.

Fate

Maria shrugs a shoulder again. "Not 100%, but he was pretty whiny about his blisters on the way here. He tried to bully the Green Man into letting him ride Myshka."

Daina

Daina hesitates a moment—"Hey let's get you some water first and see how that does.. that and some willow bark.. "—she'd go for those things and then get a cold cloth for his head to get the pulsing blood to hopefully retreat from the head area.

Fate

Dragomir submits easily to Daina's ministrations. Before long he's back to cleaning off his platter, his scarf undone and a cloth held in place over his head and eyes by his free hand. He's considerably less talkative this time around.

Daina

Daina gives him a pat on the shoulder and questions after a few minutes "—feeling better?—" she sits on the other side of the table and regards him with faint concern still.

Fate

He speaks around his mouthful:—Hungry. Tired.

The sound of crunching footsteps draws closer, around the back area. Maria catches a glimpse through a window, then quickly finishes up what he's doing. Then he turns Daina's way and asks, "Hey, Renata's back—can I go for, like, forty-five minutes?"

There are more crunching footsteps approaching from around front, heralded by the wailing of a two-year-old. (It's still distant, but it won't be for long.)

Daina

Daina smiles and gives a faint salute "see ya later, thanks for the help"
She sort of glances to Dragomir "—Want me to get you a room ready so you can sleep?—" She rises and pushes around some of the stuff in the cupboards, finding a day old loaf of bread and some canned spread of some sort. She sets her hands on her hips and ponders. "—I can go get some supplies and make some more bread for when you wake up.. biscuits and gravy maybe?—"

Fate

Maria hums a quick refrain of gratitude before making his way to the cloakroom to put on his boots and coat, managing to wince only a little as he puts them back on. In short order he's out the door.

Dragomir considers for a full few seconds—Nnn. Yes.—He pauses.—Do you have actual beds?

Daina

She pauses "—well I have.. wooden beds.. with some plants making them soft.. ah linen sheets if that helps?—" she shrugs "—Can always try it out and sleep elsewhere if it's not what ya like—" Gives him a napkin for his hands and face before gesturing for him to follow up the stairs to one of the rooms showing him the bed and maybe where things are unless he face plants and is out.

Fate

His shoulders drop in relief as she confirms the presence of a bed.—I think I am in love. Marry me, goddess.—(It's clear he's not actually expecting a response.) He plods after her, and half-listens to her lowdown before settling into bed with a relieved groan.

Daina

She snorts softly at that "—I'm pretty sure I've got some growing to do before I'm a goddess or wedding anyone—" she answers mostly to herself. She smiles "—Well have a good rest, I'm off to go triple check my packing. g'evening—"

Fate

As Daina comes downstairs, the scent of more pierogis cooking reaches her. (Quinn is currently at work in the kitchen, it seems, finishing Daina's interrupted work.)

The footsteps and the crying baby make their way forward too, entering into the cloakroom.

"Hey, Daina?" sings Aya over the child's wail. She pokes her head into the common room, looking around. "You there?"

Daina

Daina sings a song of gratitude to Quinn for having taken up the pan. She smiles a little as she moves to meet Aya. "Hey, yup, whatcha need?" wiggling her fingers to the baby and making faces.

Fate

In one hand Aya has the baby, who's just standing there and going wherever their mother's going, face contorted and tears streaming and completely unresponsive to anything else. This doesn't seem to faze Aya all that much, save the usual wearied tension that comes with having a crying baby—clearly she's just letting them cry it out.

In the other hand Aya's got her guitar. It's been splintered a little at the neck. It's still attached, but in bad shape. "Is it possible for you to... maybe... grow this back together? Friggin' Theo didn't listen to me and slipped on some ice while he was on break, showing off to his friends."

Daina

Daina hums softly and still smiles a little at the cute lil red face. She then nods and takes the instrument.. "I can try.. not sure if the sounds going to be the same..." she goes out side and puts the bottom of the guitar in the dirt and attempts to awaken the carved wood enough to mend the neck without totally overgrowing the guitar.. that is if she can even get the wood to respond.

Fate

She totally can by using her own warmth. It's super not a problem.

Daina

oh cool beans

Fate

The wood knits together without too much effort, and is easily counseled into place. Aya watches, intent and silent. She then offers Daina the baby's hand and asks, "Mind taking them for a minute while I test it out?"

Daina

She takes offered baby mitt and gestures to the common room, "let's do it not in the cold though?" she smiles a little and leads the way far enough inside that there's room for Aya to go in ahead if she wants to be here a little while or they can linger in the front hall, whichever.

Fate

The baby hardly seems to notice the transfer, still wailing their heart out. Aya nods to Daina's suggestion and eagerly moves inside. That done, she slings the strap over herself and strums at it, tuning it for a while, then plays a quick little ditty. Quinn claps the beat from all the way in the kitchen. It sounds just fine (although a little thin due to the lingering cold).

At this, the baby quiets to just streaming tears, sniffling, and hiccuping.

The song plays out, and Aya lets out a breath. She looks up, relieved gratitude written all over her expression. "Ah, thank you so much, little treasure girl." She smiles and draws close to give Daina a big hug and a kiss on the head. Apparently the mild, half-committed irritation she expressed at Theo belied how important this was to her. (But this is not unusual. Aya is a master of understatement.)

Daina

Daina smiles and sways to the music with the baby, not all that surprised the song seems to sooth them. She returns the hug and smiles "Most welcome, glad I could help" she gives Aya a reassuring squeeze of the arm. "maybe see if someone can make Theo a ukulele to show off with... hard wood though" she chuckles.

Fate

Aya lets out a breath of a laugh. "Although I'd much rather he learned his lesson." She gives Daina an affectionate return squeeze on the arm. There's contemplative silence for a moment. "I'm gonna miss you." The statement is light, without expectation. Then she smiles and waves her hand. "But you'll hear all about that tomorrow." She holds her free hand out for the baby. "Okay. I gotta get back."

Daina

Daina smiles a little "Same.. hard same" she bucks herself up and relinquishes the babben. "Okie see you, Sugar" said to the baby. "see you at home" to Aya. Waving her off before going back to the kitchen to see how we're doing.. as in do we need to make more food for Dragomir for the morning.. or maybe let him go foraging though she does worry for her wolves... they are full of tasty berries.

Fate

"See you at home." Aya leans to peek through the doorway of the kitchen. "See you at home, Quinnlet! Save some of whatever you're making for me, okay?"

Quinn sings an affirmative.

Aya slides the guitar to her back and picks up the baby, settling them on a hip, before heading out through the door.

"Hey baby, you feeling better about that mean ol' tree, dropping snow on you like that?" Her voice begins growing more and more distant.

Another sniffle. "Mmhmm..."

"Oh good! Just in time to go have fun with Grampa Tommy."

"Nnnnoooooooooo!" The baby begins to wail again.

Aya sighs out an exasperated song.