{"id":1686,"date":"2016-12-02T17:36:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T22:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1686"},"modified":"2016-12-02T17:36:00","modified_gmt":"2016-12-02T22:36:00","slug":"advent-day-2-what-will-we-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1686","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 2 – What will we do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"snow-full\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, December 2<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Molly wandered out into the tea room that morning, she was not surprised to see Goldie sitting at one of the tables, a large book in front of him, a small pair of reading glasses perched on his nose. The pirate was one of Pavel\u2019s most trusted lieutenants, and Molly had no doubt she would see a lot of him. He might look studious, and indeed preferred his books and tea to carousing with his comrades, but Molly knew he was also a fierce fighter. Seeing him there made her feel much better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Goldie,\u201d she said, moving over to him. \u201cTea?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say no to a nice cup of Earl Grey, and perhaps a sandwich, if you are making them,\u201d he said, looking up from his book.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can do that,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI\u2019ve got some lovely ham, and Lisa dropped off some of her fig jam the other day.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Goldie sighed. \u201cYou know, most of us dream about your cooking when we aren\u2019t in the Cove. There are rumors Cap\u2019n wants to kidnap you and Drew for a voyage.\u201d He winked at her. \u201cBut we wouldn\u2019t do that, would we?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Molly laughed and went back into the kitchen. Corrine had called and said she\u2019d be dropping Lily, Kaylee, and Jack off later that day, after they went to the dentist. Kiaya was already writing in the tea room, not far from Goldie, and Gideon and Schrodinger were napping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She had bread to bake, and vanilla shortbread, since she wanted to see if they were popular enough to sell at the bake sale. But bread first.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The simple tasks of mixing and kneading soothed her, keeping her from worrying about Caliban and whatever he might be planning. Perhaps he wasn\u2019t planning anything at all. That would be the best.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the time Lily, Kaylee, and Jack came in to the bookstore, she had three loaves of bread rising, and several trays of shortbread cooling on the counters. Molly heard them wake up Gideon and Schrodinger and smiled, going into the pantry for the castle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think we\u2019ll do today?\u201d Gideon asked, as she came back out with the shining structure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSomething amazing,\u201d Lily said. \u201cThe last calendar was always amazing.\u201d She looked at Kaylee. \u201cRemember, you opened it yesterday, so someone else gets to today.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kaylee nodded absently, already looking for the \u201c2\u201d. The rest of them clustered around the castle, eagerly searching as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a window!<\/em> Schrodinger said finally. Well, not really. Look, it\u2019s part of the tower!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He pointed with his nose, and Molly saw he was right. The little gold \u201c2\u201d floated above a narrow slit in the western tower. Lily, after looking to Schrodinger for permission, reached out and touched the bars on the slit. They shimmered, and then the room expanded, showing them what was inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside the tower room were four soldiers, dressed in the white of the Snow Queen. They looked out windows, holding long bows in one hand, and they had quivers of white leather slung over a shoulder, with white-fletched arrows sticking up out of them. In the center of the room was a cauldron, and standing over it was a man in a long white robe, waving his hands. The children watched in awe as the cauldron began to bubble and froth, belching up white smoke that swirled through the room and then out the windows. As it wrapped around the tower, the room faded, but the smoke didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not smoke, it\u2019s SNOW!\u201d Kaylee said excitedly, as the flakes began to fall all around them, melting into nothingness as they touched surfaces. \u201cBut what does it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust watch,\u201d Molly said, as a single snowflake, instead of vanishing, danced around them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Follow the snowflake!<\/em> Jack said, letting loose a howl of joy as the snowflake zipped out of the kitchen. Molly reached out and steadied the castle as the rest of them followed him, eager to see what the next adventure would be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<><><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t lose it, Jack!\u201d Lily said, as they ran through the tea room. The hound bayed again, following the glittering snowflake that danced on the warm air, zipping up the staircase to the second floor of CrossWinds Books.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The upper floor of the bookstore was mostly an open room, crammed with bookshelves that marched in seemingly endless rows, broken up by little areas of armchairs and side tables, perfect for reading, or quiet talking, or knitting. Aunt Margie had an office in the back, and Schrodinger knew there were other rooms back there (like the storeroom), but most of the floor was books.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A long wide center aisle separated the room, and normally there were more chairs and tables. Those had been moved back to make room for the two Christmas trees that flanked the fireplace at one end. Schrodinger loved the fact that there were red velvet stockings there, one for every member of the Carter\u2019s Cove staff. Including himself. The other end of the aisle was the resting point for the mailbox that would come out very soon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they tumbled into the main area of the second floor, the snowflake burst into long streamers that rained down around them in silver and gold. Lily reached for one, but it dissolved into her hands. \u201cWhat does it mean?\u201d she asked, turning to the others.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook here!\u201d Gideon said, pointing to one of the tables that was now positioned in front of an end of a bookshelf. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They all went over and discovered several piles of brightly colored wrapping paper and scissors. Lily looked around and said, \u201cI know! Snowflakes!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Gideon said, tilting his head. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to make snowflakes!\u201d Lily said. \u201cI\u2019ll bet Aunt Margie wants them for the front windows again!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d a voice said, and they all turned as Aunt Margie came around the corner of a bookcase. \u201cYou guys think you can do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely!\u201d Kaylee said, and the others nodded. \u201cHow many?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs many as you can make,\u201d Aunt Margie said. \u201cWe\u2019ll need a lot!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do this!\u201d Kaylee said, picking up a set of scissors and reaching for a square of paper. Someone (probably Aunt Margie or DC, the head cashier) had cut up various rolls of wrapping paper into all sizes and colors. Soon all three children were cutting bits and pieces, while Jack and Schrodinger busied themselves with choosing new paper and putting the finished stars into a box Aunt Margie had given them. While they did so, Schrodinger filled his friend in on what Molly had told him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Do they really think Caliban will come?<\/em> Jack asked him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I think Jade is worried, yes,<\/em> Schrodinger said. And Molly is.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019s a nasty piece of work,<\/em> the hound agreed. He looked back at the children, who had starting singing along with the Christmas carols playing on the sound system. If he tries to touch any of them, I\u2019ll take his head off.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And I\u2019ll help you,<\/em> Schrodinger said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<><><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was too cold. It was always too bloody cold now – as if the damp chill of the stone cell walls had seeped into his bones and refused to move, even when, as now, he stood nearly within the roaring fire of the hearth. Caliban let the flames dance over his skin, hoping that he could absorb the warmth, stop the shivering, but it was no use. He began to pace, the coals crackling beneath his boots.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had options to consider. He could stay here, of course. His cousin Nadine was hardly likely to insist he leave, after helping him to escape. She\u2019d even hinted that she\u2019d be willing to marry him, to spite both her mother and his father, and it would give him an actual throne. Tempting, really – Nadine was as ambitious as he was, and they had always gotten along well. Caliban could only imagine what his father would do when he heard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then again, he might just decide to invade, and damn the treaties he signed. Depends on how mad he really is.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His skin itched, and he scratched it irritably. It was always itching, now – he couldn\u2019t seem to get the dungeon filth off of him. Not even the fire could wash away that taint.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019s probably written me off anyways. If he really wanted me, he\u2019d try and find me.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The door to the room opened, and a silent maid came in with a silver tray. She left it on the table and let herself out without a word, as she\u2019d been trained. Caliban came out of the fire, only mildly interested in whatever she\u2019d brought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was an envelope, and he frowned. No name, nothing – just a blank envelope.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He opened it, and a brown leaf, slightly rimmed with silver frost, fell onto the tray. That was it, nothing more. Caliban\u2019s frown deepened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What did it mean?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

>Activity: Make snowflakes to decorate your own windows!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Friday, December 2   When Molly wandered out into the tea room that morning, she was not surprised to see Goldie sitting at one of the tables, a large book in front of him, a small pair of reading glasses perched on his nose. The pirate was one of Pavel\u2019s most trusted lieutenants, and Molly …<\/p>\n

>>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[61],"class_list":["post-1686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","tag-advent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1686"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1686"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1687,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1686\/revisions\/1687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}