"...thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty..." As Sheryl counted out the number of manuscripts, scrolls and books she was collecting for the Children's Winterfest celebration, her Sisters were cringing outside the door to her chamber.
"Oy, she's gonna give the ankle-biters asscramps," Janie bemoaned.
"I hope she gives them a pee break," Delphinea was stared at as a crack was spied in her normal more than pious demeanor. "What' She's planning hours of reading."
Janie seemed to relax, "Ah, don't worry, I'm sure she'll run out of voice before too long. Besides, when my kissing booth opens, the crowds will thin."
The bulky Delphinea's green eyes widened, "Nimue, you're not planning on kissing children!"
"Course not, dummy! But their fathers will be whipping those kids out of there faster than you can say Bushwacker once they get a load of me."
Sheryl heard the chuckles and voices in the hallway and humphed when they made her lose count somewhere around sixty-three. "Hey girls" Want to help me organize these?" She called out into the hallway.
The two blondes joined Sheryl in her chamber, "Hon' You know we love you, right?" Janie began and then looked to Delphinea.
The beach bunny's hulking counterpart took up the serve, "Perhaps it would be best if you only chose two or three of your favorite stories, Rhiannon. You know, children have such a short attention span."
Sheryl's long lashes blinked and then blinked again as she looked at her Sisters. "But...but I have all of these wonderful narratives from different cultures. Some of them are even extinct..." Blink, blink.
"Honey, I'm sure the ankle-biters would never appreciate that. But like Phin said, I'd be willing to wager my eyes that they'd like your favorites."
There was a rather long silence that followed as Sheryl's more than ample intellect got the hints. "You all think I'm going overboard...again. Don't you?"
Delphinea and Janie looked at each other and then back to Sheryl. "We're just trying to help you have a really successful venture. It is such a good cause, and quite selfless of you to volunteer your time for the children." Delphinea came into the room and sat on Sheryl's bed.
"Yah, we don't want those little buggers givin' ya one bit of lip. Or falling asleep." Janie joined Phin on Sheryl's bed, noting the scrolls and books all over the room.
"I guess you girls are right." Sheryl paused and looked over her work: all of the rare tales she had found. "But what about....HEY! What if I read you guys all of these stories!" Then we could all enjoy the season together and also have a nod to the cultures that have passed" Oh, thanks girls! I know that the kids wouldn't necessarily appreciate the significance of such important documents, but you all would. What a marvelous idea Janie, Phin. Thank you! We could commence with a fine holiday meal and then adjourn to the large hearth in the front and I shall begin with the earliest renditions of winter tales from those cultures that have already dispersed. Of course I would give background for each tribal community that the tale came from and render my own theories for their extinction before each tale .....and....then...."
Her voice was droned out by both Janie and Phin as the girls quietly got up and left Sheryl's chamber with her little voice still ringing out and planning what they deemed to be absolute torture. As the stepped out into the hallway and gently closed Sheryl's door behind them, they could still hear her talking to herself about the impending Scathachian Night of 1001 Winter Stories.
"Well, that was a great idea, Phin!" Janie whispered fiercely through her teeth as the girls hurried down the hallway.
"I didn't know she'd turn the torture back on us! I was only trying to help the poor, defenseless children! You know our code, 'Defend the defenseless, Fight for the weak, etc. etc.' "
"Yah, but not at the expense of a suicide mission!" Janie and Phin were around the corner and out of sight as they made ready to plan an intricate patrolling mission the night storytelling.
