if it quirks..

“Bath time!”, he called out into the cool summer evening.  They wouldn’t want to come at first, but Glenn would never shirk on big brother duty.  He came firsts bearing Sunny on his shoulders.  She, however, did not look pleased in the least.

“I almost had ‘im, Glenn! This close to capturing Captain Gargantua Bull Frog!  But noo-o, it’s time to get squeaky clean.  Why couldn’t you get the twins first, Gle-enn?!” Sunny’s lips were pursed and her brow furrowed at the back of his head.  He gave her a slight buck and said, “Because I know that you have the mysterious tendency of playing ‘hide-and-go-seek’ when it’s bath time.”  He was grinning now at her indignant demands.  This was always the formula with Sunny at bath time.

“Well, why do we have to wash anyway when we’re jus’ going to be right back out here tomorrow, and get stinky all over again?!” she pouted.  “So that Captain Gargantua Bull Frog doesn’t pick up your lovely stench and head for the hills never to return,” he was still grinning to himself .  He wanted to laugh but Sunny did not seem to genial.

He came to a footpath which led around the cottage to an enclosed clearing with a small pool.  It was six feet in diameter, generally round, and bordered by flagstone.  A river birch was planted near by and cool, blue-green conifers clumped around the clearing created a wall of privacy.  Small tendrils of steam curled up from the pool’s surface.  Yvette had already entered the clearing, ans was waiting for Glenn and Sunny when they loped in.  Sunny slid off his back and rooted herself to the spot, crossing her arms.  Yvette and Glenn glanced at each other, rolled their eyes, and sighed.  “She’s all yours.” he said turning away, and passing through the thick fir branches.

Yvette turned and scrutinized the stubborn prickly pear.  The ebony eyes squinted at the blue jays.  The blue jays dared the ebony to try.  “You know you won’t win, Sunny.  Whether you will or you won’t it’s going to happen, it’s your destiny at the end of each day.  Now are you going to cooperate or do I have to call Glenn back?” Yvette spoke authoritatively.  Her normally soft, melodious voice always took on a hard edge at bath time.  Sunny’s arms only tightened over her check and she stuck out her chin indignantly.  “Come on, Sunny!  Everyone else has to take a bath, too; and the pool only stays warm for a short time,”  Yvette pleaded.

“Well, then, you go first, ” Sunny bristled.  They stood on either side of the pool and the steam rising from the pool made Sunny look comically angry.  Yvette rolled her eyes, searching for a way to persuade the boiling volcano in front of her to stay dormant.  Suddenly, she had the answer.  Yvette, smiled, bent down towards the edge of the pool, and flicked some of the water at Sunny’s toes.  “Hey! Stop it!” Sunny jerked back.

“Ha! Got you to move! I thought you were a mighty sequoia rooted there and nothing could sway you?” Yvette smirked.  “You jumped away from a little water?!  What kind of a Deciduous Duchess are you?  You must care and nurture your brothers of the bark~  You must lead them, set the precedent.  They are counting on you; you the spirit and shepherd of the trees!  Are you going to let a little dribble of water bring down your kingdom?!”  Yvette finished dramatically by smashing her fist into the surface of the water.  She stared hard at Sunny, but a slight smile curled on her lips.

Sunny was still rooted to the spot, but her arms had slackened, and she looked intrigued.  “I’m not scared of a little water!” Sunny insisted.  “Then, prove it to your royal court of conifers.” Yvette gestured at the ring of trees around the pool.  “You see the golden birch?  He look a little droopy.  You must restore his golden skin or else he will be no more.” Yvette spoke in the same epic tone as before.  “What must I do to restore strength to him?” Sunny spoke in a hushed voice; she was completely engrossed in the game now.  Yvette looked straight into the blue-jay irises without blinking and said, “Only water from the Silver Pool of the Fourth Depth can rejuvenate the Golden Birch.  You must immerse yourself in its waves, wash away your stains, and offer a precious jewel to The Pool.  Then, you must return to your kingdom with water from the pool and sprinkle it upon the birch.  Only then will he return to his magnificence.  Are you prepared to take on this quest?”  Yvette asked.  Sunny nodded.  “Good.  Now, let us collect a beautiful jewel…” Yvette faltered looking around the clearing for a ‘jewel’.  Her eyes fell on a pine cone nestled in the needles beneath the trees.  “A-ha! Here, lady, is a mystical amber gem.  It will be perfect.”  Sunny examined the ‘gem’ and said, “It’s gorgeous, let’s go!”  Yvette and Sunny walked up to the edge of the pool in a stately manner.  Yvette bowed to Sunny saying, “I, your faithful nymph, wish to accompany you on your journey, and serve you to the best of my abilities.”  Sunny nodded and commanded in a lofty tone, “You must hold the amber while I am bathing, don’t let it fall!  First, help me undress; my mantle will only weigh me down.” “Yes, my lady,” Yvette said.

Sunny held out her arms like a tree while Yvette undressed her.  She stood back while Sunny lowered herself into the steaming water.  Sunny waded in the water for a bit, kicked her legs, and rowed her arms through the water.  She was just reaching for the soap on the flagstone when Yvette came forward with a stick and swirled the water around Sunny.  “Hurry!  A whirlpool is forming!  You must cleanse yourself and drop the jewel in to still the water!” Yvette cried urgently.  Sunny grabbed the soap, plunged it into the depths, and twirled it in her hands creating suds.  She rubbed herself clean, washed the suds off and fought the whirlpool to the edge where Yvette pulled her out and wrapped a fluffy towel around her.  Sunny took the amber cone and dropped it into the whirlpool.  It slowed after the cone touched the bottom.  “The Silver Pool is satisfied, good queen of the trees.”  Yvette smiled at Sunny.  Sunny said graciously, “It was the perfect gift.  Thank you, lovely nymph.  But we must hurry back to the birch, time is running out!”  “You are right; time is running out, ” said Yvette. “Here scoop up some of the healing water with this shell,” she instructed the child.  Sunny filled the shell to the brim and straightened up, “Now, let’s be quick!”

They approached the birch.  Its leaves rustled in a light breeze which passed through lazily.  “Now, sprinkle the water over the roots,” said Yvette.  Sunny stepped forward and tipped the contents of the shell over the ground at the foot of the tree’s trunk.  Sunny straightened and retreated back to Yvette’s side.  “You’ve don it!  Look at how he moves with the breeze.  He’s reinvigorated; his golden aura has returned.  You are the champion of the trees.  They adore you and declare you their queen!”  Yvette hugged Sunny.  “You deserve a sweet reward.  How about some strawberries and cream?  But first, let’s re-mantle you, Lady of the Lake, ” said Yvette in a soft Yvette tone.  Sunny nodded fervently, “Yes, please!”