My morning begins with a scream. The first time it happened I bolted upright and sprinted to where Cresta was clinging to a ledge overlooking a rapidly flowing river, for dear life with Morna standing above her. Suddenly her fingers slipped followed by another ear piercing scream as Cresta dropped straight for the sharp rocks at the bottom-
At the last minute her shirt was hooked by a piece of ice which had wound its way from Morna who burst into cackles. I looked on, slightly puzzled. I know Morna's thinking is slightly different from most people and her attachments are severe...but so are her grudges. Something strange passed between Morna and Cresta during their first meeting-but it's none of my business.
Morna won't kill or physically hurt Cresta, I trust in her and her control to say that much confidently. But scaring her out of her mind isn't off limits. I give a long gusty sigh. This journey is going to be rough.
The second day, another scream. I once again make my way over, albeit less panicked. If Morna is there, I can trust in neither Cresta nor her brother dying. This time Cresta's being swung round and round clinging for dear life onto a tentacle monster. And Morna stands there, a pleased grin on her face.
"Morna..." I call out tiredly.
"Ali!" She calls out excitedly. "I was bored so I decided to have some fun!"
"Morna, could you be a little easier on the girl?"
"Oh, come on, I won't kill her."
"No damaging emotional trauma either."
"Oh phoooey, you want to ruin all my fun!"
"Morna..."
"Fiiiiiiiine, I promise I'll ONLY scare her."
"Good."
"But I never said how much."
"What?"
"Noooothing!"
I give her a look. She'll know when to stop...at least I hope so. Either way it should be some good training for Cresta, she doesn't look like she's ever been in a fight and if she and her brother really want to join the wielders she's going to need to toughen up.
Meanwhile her brother is going through a different kind of trial courtesy of my eccentric best friend.
Morning 1 - he was out to find four four leaf clovers for Morna because according to her exactly four would make them "extra lucky". Unfortunately when he came back after scavenging, late in the evening with only two, personally I was impressed, but Morna refused. Damn, how hard to get does she want to play?!
Morning 5 - After an early morning rainbow the kid was off in search of the Leprechaun's treasure. He came back with the little green fellow hot on his tail but in his hands was a glistening silver tiara obtained from the legendary pot of gold. Morna got rid of the Leprechaun, grumbling about doing all the work but I saw her giggling with the tiara in secret later.
Morning 11 - Poor boy, he managed to stumble upon a cave entrance and discover a magic lamp but when he brought the lamp to Morna she went for the hot hunk of a genie over him. The unfortunate kid was left bedraggled and depressed while Morna and her new catch sauntered away. Two days later though, I curiously didn't see the genie anywhere but Morna seemed awfully cheerful. I caught her licking her lips and decided, some things were better left unasked.