[open -- nest]

[new_inglewoodblues]

The nest Ragnelle has been building in the woods needed a few more blankets now that the temperature has dropped a few more degrees, so this morning she was in the mansion raiding cupboards. Now she's outside in the lee of Nightingale's summer house with a basket of comforters, cutting them into pieces with a little knife so they'll be easier to incorporate, like leaves in a squirrels' nest. The time indoors has warmed her up, and her hands move quickly with the knife.

Comments

[new_inglewoodblues]

There's a spot in the front where the blankets can be rearranged to create an entrance, and she climbs through and then holds her hands out for Magnus to give her the pieces.

[summerdude]

Magnus passes them over by the handful. "This is a neat little setup you've got here, Ragnelle," he says, watching as she works. "Very cool. I didn't think about making a nest when I moved outside."

[rememberettersberg]

"But you know of magic, enough to consider it women's work," he says. "And I think you have been touched by it. That is interesting enough."

[sorrowandsorrow]

Janet almost gets the feeling she used to get at Brakebills when she raised her hand in class and the professor said Oh, yes, good contribution, Ms. Pluchinsky. Except better, because Ragnelle is way more fun than any of them, as much as Janet hungered silently for their approval. "I'm going to take that as a huge compliment."

[new_inglewoodblues]

"'Twill keep me warm and dry when there's snow without," she calls from inside, as she pads out the nest. Down feathers are beginning to float around them like the aforementioned snow.

[new_inglewoodblues]

"See thou, that is what I like not. Thou knowst too much."

[new_inglewoodblues]

"I say only what I mean, and that often. Thou art sharp. I like to see a sharp thing prick them that touch foolishly."

[sorrowandsorrow]

"I am sharp, yes," Janet says with another little grin. "I've always been pretty prickly, but I think Fillory turned it into real sharpness. Thank fuck."

[rememberettersberg]

"My apologies." He shrugs. "I don't know anything. Just that magic leaves traces behind."

[new_inglewoodblues]

"Rude and fearsome. 'Tis well."

[new_inglewoodblues]

"What canst thou see?" suspiciously.

[temnota]

"I won't come closer," Aleksander said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I don't wish to be bitten today."

[summerdude]

"Smart," he calls back, angling his mouth and blowing a feather that's landed on his cheek away. "You want me to come by and melt the snow around your nest for you if it gets really thick?"

[new_inglewoodblues]

"I will be well. Before this place I had but leaves and managed well. But thou canst visit me still."

[new_inglewoodblues]

"Nor shouldst thou. Thee with thy magic thou shouldst not have."

[summerdude]

"Then I definitely will," Magnus says. He passes her more blanket and bats away another feather. He likes Ragnelle; she reminds him of the hulder, who are the only redeeming quality of all of Alfheim. "Do you hibernate in the winter?"

[sorrowandsorrow]

Janet practically preens at that. "You're not so bad yourself."

[new_inglewoodblues]

She laughs. She's done destroying the blankets, and she gathers all the pieces into the basket and gets to her feet, resting it on her hip. "Mary, I should have come here before Camelot, I would have got me a marriage sooner."

[new_inglewoodblues]

"Ah, now thou hast a word I know not. What is hibernate?"

[summerdude]

"Like a turtle or a bear or a bee," Magnus says. "It's like -- being dormant in winter, basically?"

[new_inglewoodblues]

"O, ay! Like a tree, too. I sleep and wait it out till it comes warm again."

[summerdude]

"Do you want me to bring you snacks when I visit, then, or will you be asleep?"

[rememberettersberg]

"Merely as much as you can sense about me, I expect." Nightingale makes a courtly bow. "I don't wish to make you uncomfortable, my lady. I'm content to take my leave."

[sorrowandsorrow]

"I don't really do marriage," Janet's starting to say, and then she actually hears everything Ragnelle said, and lifts her eyebrows. "Camelot?"

[new_inglewoodblues]

"I will always wake for food." She pokes her head out the door. "Besides, I have not had a real sleep these last few years."