An Evening In

[Lady Grace]

Grace smiles at the lifeline thrown from Valentina,
"Ohhh, exciting," a flood of relief from Grace turns into a stream of excited questions.

"I am sure you will do a wonderful job. Did you volunteer? What are you planning? How can I help?"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs, looking up and smiling happily again. "I'm planning a heart motif for the most part. I've got some paper to make into hearts and I've sewn a few hearts up. I'm thinking of some heart bunting and perhaps a wishing tree?"

She thinks for a moment. "If you could procure some rose petals to display that would be lovely!"

[Lady Grace]

Grace beams,
"It's not the time of year but I know where some winter roses grow,....." Grace dissolves into laughter as she realises how many difficult walks in the park in Bath have prepared her perfectly for a rose heist,

"Yes, I can certainly bring rose petals,"

[Valentina Audley]

Grace's laughter confuses Valentina, but she smiles nonetheless, pleased to have pleased her friend. "I know a song, about winter roses." She smiles. "My Lady is very fond of them."

[Manacledairman]

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina's aura is all wicked mischief, but her face is innocent and her voice apologetic as she replies.

"Oh, yes of course Elder, I became... distracted. How foolish of me." And she smiles sweetly at him, before holding the garment in question to him.

[Manacledairman]

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles sweetly. "Of course Elder." She mildly agrees. There's the tiniest suggestion about her lips that she might be holding back laughter.

"So, does either of you have suggestions for decorations for Reading? Do you think a wishing tree is a good idea?"

[Manacledairman]

[Lady Grace]

"Elder, decorating trees as offerings to the spiritual to have a wish granted or a prayer heardl is as old as time. It comes up in so many cultures, the Chinese have a festival of making offerings to a chosen tree I am told."

"In Scotland the practice of tying cloths to trees, is known as “clootie wells.” The cloths were soaked in a nearby well, and then hung on the trees as offerings,"

"In England it’s believed that divine spirits dwell in these trees and that if a sick person pressed a coin into the tree, their illness would go away. It’s also been said that it brings fortune.

It's really just for amusement but who can resist the idea that a secret wish that on a sacred night in the presence of a magical chalice might be answered?"

"I find the concept charming, don't you?,"