Quest 309

[primrosella]

Oh, dear, that's right, it is about that time again, isn't it? Of course, it's summer again, and it wouldn't be summertime in the City if we didn't have a blizzard sooner or later--just the same as how we always have those few days of hot weather right around Christmastime, too. Goodness, isn't it a good thing we're having it today, though, and not the other day when everyone was having their water fights? That certainly wouldn't be pleasant, running around throwing water all over each other when it's getting near freezing out.

Still, I've never seen one of these summer blizzards last for more than a few days, so if anyone is worrying about unpacking all their winter things for the long run, I'd say it's best to wait a bit and see if it clears up. It usually does, once we've had our chance to have our midsummer snowball fights and ice skating and all the other lovely things we do.

...Come to think of it, I suppose we ought to add another hot drink or two to the menu at the Blue Light, hadn't we? Perhaps we can come up with one, as a special for the time being.

In the meantime, though, I think I'd better go check on Ellington and the horses before the snow gets too terrible out. I think they've all been around long enough to be accustomed to these sudden snowfalls, too, but if there is a blizzard brewing, it's going to make getting around rather inconvenient and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Goodness, how did it get to be the end of July already? Why, just next week it'll be...

Well. With any luck, the snow and ice will have cleared up before then. It'd really be a shame if I couldn't spend my City anniversary in--er, by the fountain, the way I always do.

Comments

[punchedhitler]

This happens each year?

[primrosella]

The snow in the middle of summer? It seems to, yes! And a bout of summertime in the winter, as well, for about the same length of time.

[punchedhitler]

I remember that bout.

[primrosella]

Really, I suppose I ought to have been expecting it to come around, since we've made it this far in the summer already without seeing it. Though it's coming a bit later than usual, really! One year it fell on Midsummer.

[punchedhitler]

It's sort of a relief from the heat, I suppose.

[primrosella]

As curses go, there are certainly worse ones. Even a blizzard isn't so very bad when it only lasts for a day or two.

[punchedhitler]

Do you do anything special at the Blue Light?

[primrosella]

When it snows, you mean? This is the first time it's happened since I've been managing it, but it might be nice to do something. If it does get very bad out, though, I'd worry that most people would sooner just stay home, instead.

[punchedhitler]

It might be nice to have a place ready to protect people from the cold.

[primrosella]

Oh, that is a good thought! And perhaps we could even round up some warm cloaks and things and have them available for people to stop in and borrow in the meantime, the way that the Welcome Center has its boxes of clothes for people to take if they need them.

[punchedhitler]

Do you want some help?

[primrosella]

Would you? I'd like that very much, if you don't mind venturing out into the cold.

[punchedhitler]

I don't mind the cold.

[primrosella]

Well, I'm going to go by the Barn and check on the horses, and then out to the lake to see Ellington, but after that I'll go right over to the Blue Light to see about getting things set up there.

[punchedhitler]

All right, I'll meet you at the Blue Light.

[primrosella]

And don't forget to bundle up!

All kinds of backdated to yesterday!

[candothat]

I am already outside. [There's a blizzard. He's Russian. It works.] I can check on the horses, if you like.

I welcome this backdating!

[primrosella]

Oh, dear, Pavel, do keep warm and be careful! I think it's going to get worse before it gets better.

[Says the girl who is cheerfully rushing out into the oncoming storm herself...]

Could you? I'd appreciate that very much--then I could go straight on to see Ellington and not have to double back first. There ought to be some warm blankets and things in a wooden chest on the near side of the doors, and there's more than enough feed to last them if you make sure it's in their reach.

Thank you much. ^^

[candothat]

Ai, you sound very much like Sophie, and both of you sound like my mother.

[A put-upon sigh. He recovers quickly.]

Blankets and feed--good. I will do that immediately.

...Who is Ellington?

[primrosella]

Is that a friend of yours, Sophie? She certainly sounds sensible, if so! You really ought to listen to her. And thank you so much, that'll save me so much time, and I know the horses will be in good hands with you.

[Deal with it, Chekov.]

Ellington! He's the lake monster, the one who lives in the lake in Xanadu.

[candothat]

Yes. She lives with Howl, Peter, and I and ensures that we do not wander outside without jackets. I do listen to her, usually; Sophie is very sensible. And also, I will take good care of Siroc and Valor.

[Fine.]

There are lake monsters? [Coolest thing ever!] Or is he alone?

[primrosella]

Oh, no, I'm fairly certain there's more than one! He's just the only one I'm personally acquainted with, since he belonged to a friend of mine first. I do think there are others, though, who are bigger than he is, which is partly why I try to make it a point to check up on him every so often, just to be certain they're not treating him poorly.

[Because she would totally go deliver a stern talking-to to a fully-grown lake monster if it were being a bully to Ellington. Sure would.]

[anunluckypenny]

This is so weird. The snow, I mean, and not so much because it's summer, but because... snow. We never, ever have snow like this in California.

Next week's your City anniversary? Is there... I don't know, something I should do? Buy a present or a card?

[primrosella]

Well, I do hope you've plenty of warm things to wear for the time being, at least! And if not, let me know and I'll bring over one of my cloaks and some warm things for you. Sam had a few of those heavy overshirts with hoods that ought to fit you, and might even be a bit big, besides.

And it is, yes! It'll be four years now, on the second of August. It's strange to think so much time has gone by already...

[anunluckypenny]

I'm good, but thank you! The Welcome Center has tons of cold weather clothes... and I completely understand why now. But thanks, really.

Four years. You deserve something for getting through four years of curses and being away from home.

[primrosella]

Captain Rogers and I are going to set up a box in the Blue Light, too, for cold-weather things that people can borrow in the meantime. The more the merrier, after all!

It's not so very bad, really. Some people have been here for longer, you know!

[anunluckypenny]

Captain Rogers, huh? [Curse his good looks, tendency to do charitable things, and complete unwillingness to be anything but Penny's friend.] That's a really good idea... you get plenty of traffic there, so I bet that'll help a lot of people.

Do you know how long anyone's ever stayed here? I mean, I'd like to stay as long as I can, really.

[primrosella]

I certainly hope so. And the snow shouldn't last very long, I don't think, so it ought to only need be a temporary solution, too.

The very longest? Well, er...I had a friend named Rue, years ago, who stayed here for more than four years with her brother, I think, and Cain's been here for more than five, but I can't think of anyone ever staying much longer than that, really. It's different for everyone, of course, but I've never heard of anyone mentioning six, for example.