Karrista's eyes lit up as the translocator arrived in the foyer of her home with Dun'yazad in tow and Evangeline in the Djinn's arms. Stepping forward, she offered the Kal’dorei a covered tray, loaded with strawberry cream tarts and chocolate chip cookies before speaking. "Thank you, Pax. It's wonderful to see you."
The normally energetic Elf was subdued, not quite making eye contact, barely sparing a glance at the vibrant desserts before offering a listless nod to Karrista. As neutral as she seemed intent on keeping her expression, it was clear that something terrible had happened, something that had deeply wounded Pax's heart. As Tara’lena approaches, the translocation specialist tugs on Dun'yazad's arm, ready to return home.
"Be careful next week, April First is coming and Karrista is known to pull childish pranks." Tara'lena whispered softly, leaning close to Pax's ear.
Karrista glanced over her shoulder to her fiancé. "I heard that." She moved close to Dun’yazad, taking Evangeline in her arms. "How is my most favorite person in the world?" She cooed softly to the infant in her arms, poking her in the nose lightly with a smile on her face.
Evangeline crossed her eyes at the poke on the nose, looking confused by it. "Maaaa” She made the sound softly as she reached out for Karrista's nose.
Karrista leaned forward just enough to let Evangeline poke her nose. "I'll take her into the den and get comfortable." Evangeline muffled Karrista's words when she found out she could grab onto Karrista's nose.
Tara'lena attempted to hold back the snickers at the sight of Karrista and Evangeline. After she left, she turned back to Dun'yazad. "Here, for the next week, the first half." Tara'lena held out the crate of full milk jugs to Dun'yazad. "How has she been with you?"
"Quite wonderful, full of energy and happiness." Dun'yazad took the crate in both hands for stability, smiling to Tara'lena. "Though I wonder how much of you is within her."
Tara'lena paused, confused by the statement. "Emotionally or physically?"
"She runs cold, what would be expected, is a fever for her. She can remain still and quiet, but aware and watching." Dun'yazad's smile was dazzling for a moment, as if she knew a secret. "I believe she shares your thirst."
Tara'lena's second pause lasted longer. "I will keep that in mind." She took a step back as Pax cleared her throat, the pace of the elf's foot-tapping picking up. "I will let you get going. We will see you Monday morning." She turned to leave the two to depart.
Inside the den, Karrista had taken her succubus form, wings spread wide as she lay in front of Evangeline. She had a small novel beside her, held with one hand so Evangeline could look at it. "And the Princess' eyes turned downward, in fear of the look the Queen gave her..."
Evangeline mirrored the pose Karrista had taken, almost able to sit between Karrista's horns. She listened to Karrista with one hand on one horn and nibbled on the other, along with bright eyes and a grin.
Karrista exaggerated the cadence and tone as she spoke the story out loud. "A warm finger against her chin pulled her to meet the Queen's gaze. The dark eyes instantly captivated her, bringing a..." A chilly hand on her back made her pause.
"Is this really appropriate reading material my Sun and soul?" Tara'lena crouched down beside Karrista, waving and smiling to Evangeline. "Hello my Evangeline."
Evangeline stopped chewing on Karrista's horn upon hearing her name, waving back to Tara'lena as she made a popping sound with her lips.
Karrista set her book down; marking her page as she carefully turned her head to look at Tara'lena, not enough to let Evangeline lose sight of her face. "Tara. She's seven months old." She spoke in a light singsong voice, dripping with saccharine sweetness. "She's listening to the sound of our voices and the rhythm. I could read one of my geology books and entertain her the same."
"Then you can read one of your geology books..." She did the same exaggerated cadence, though less sugary. "Not..." She took the book and set it aside. "The thrice-bound Princess." She gave Karrista a disapproving look as she picked up a bright pink stuffed bear half Evangeline's size and walked it towards her. "Say hello to the pretty pink thing."
Evangeline let go of Karrista's horns, falling forward with one hand supporting her as she squirmed over the bear and grabbed onto it, giving it a few test nibbles before settling on chewing on an arm.
"Well you certainly know what you like don'cha Evie?" Karrista watched, soft chuckles punctuating her words.
Tara'lena kept one hand on the bear, giving it very gentle twitches and tugs, watching with a bit of a proud look. "You are starting to take after me it seems." She glanced to Karrista with a pointed look briefly.
Evangeline made a soft growling sound as she held onto the bear, giving a similar look to Tara'lena as she tried to hold on.
"Yes, you are my angel. We'll have to figure out what that means won't we?"
The soundtrack of my life
has been a varied tune
From ringing around roses
to the dark side of the moon
From Joanie’s melodic strains
to the complicated rhythms
of Miles’ hectic horn
from the classics
to modern blues
I cannot guess what
The future will sound like
there are too many
time signatures
from this point on
But I can take guess
at the final movement
Perhaps a requiem in d
Maybe a lonely dirge in the dark
Or a sad pathetique
But I hope for
some mournful jazz
swinging down a crowded
New Orleans street
