[Just because there's no ball at the moment doesn't mean the Viridian Pavilion isn't in use: Laura has raided the nearby (and conveniently abandoned) Baby the Stars Shine Bright boutique and is currently dressed in her princessly best (if a little baggily; the dresses are not made for children) and has assembled a cat, a turtwig, and an oddish (also stuffed into lolita fashion) for tea. Or, more accurately, punch served from a teapot.]

OK, here, you can have some more. [She pours another cup for each of the very patient crew, who seem content to put up with the clothing in exchange for being served punch and pastries.]

[Dot finds this whole 'behaving' thing to be really incredibly boring. It's a travesty, but she's really starting to get bored with sex too.]

This is almost as bad as the last time Esau grounded me. They just locked me in my room, let me go hungry and everything, not that it fuckin' mattered.

[Sitting in the grass, she has a jar full of bugs in her lap, and she turns it from side to side, examining its contents.]

That was ages ago. [She tosses the large jar into the air idly, catching it again.] Goddamn. I wish Bal was here, that stupid fucking demon always had good ideas. Or Amon, or Baramue...

[Wow, Dot, for someone who insists caring about people is a waste, you sure do sound like you miss your family.]

If Jacob were here, I'd drop this on his desk... [She tosses the jar of bugs up again.] and it'd shatter and send bugs and glass flying everywhere. Bet you five bucks it'd make him laugh.

[She smiles to her fondly. She had been talking knowing full well the Vine was present, she liked the sound of her own voice and loved to inflict it on others. But for just a minute there, she got lost in the memories. When she comes back to herself, she glances a the vine with a little frown.]

Point is, I need a playdate.

[ There is a face in the mirror that has not been seen for some time — the Damsel, pretty and fresh-faced as always, though right now she has the look of someone who is trying very hard to be cheerful and positive, but not completely succeeding. She is wearing a delicate white sundress, and cradling what appears to be one of the stones from the wild places between her hands, a large faceted piece of red opal as broad across as her palm that shimmers subtly as light from an unseen source glances through it. ]

Some of you went into the wild places to get these back for us, didn't you? You're so very brave!

[ She doesn't sound sarcastic at all; her face and voice project the admiration a defenseless creature feels for someone much more capable. ]

We can't, you see. Go into the wild places. It's simply not possible. But we needed the stones, they're very important. Ah, and all your hard work wasn't for nothing, of course! In return for helping us, you can ask for one wish from any of us, and we'll do our very best to grant it. We can't give you living creatures, of course, or physical objects, but ask us for anything else and we'll see what we can do.

[ Her brilliant smile fades a little now, her brow creasing slightly. ]

I'm simply glad those awful phantoms are gone. Aren't you? Hm... [ Her lips purse in a very delicate frown, and when she speaks next her tone is earnest, pleading. ] The Queen didn't mean for that to happen, you know! She was just... ah, she was upset, that's all. She wasn't trying to hurt any of you. Things should be much better now!