"I've never taken a pure heart before," Marynka says lightly, a skip in her step as she and Beata set out. Pure hearts are just about a rumor for her; Red Jaga speaks longingly of their bitterness, of the swelling of magic with each bite, but Marynka knows her own heart - and most of the ones she's taken - is likely as wicked as they come.

The thought of taking such a pure heart - turning it and the hope the prince brings everyone into nothing but a meal for Grandmother - is a bit sad, she thinks the way burning a wonderful tapestry is sad, but, well. 

Sacrifices must be made. 

She pushes aside her uneasiness, into the firey box in her center where she shoves all her bad feelings and doubts. "And it'll be Karnawał! Warszów is already unbelievable... Can you imagine it during Karnawał?"

"A grand sight, I'm sure. I just hope you won't be too distracted by all the festivities."

"I can focus when needed." Hum. "And Midnight will definitely be there - I can't afford to lose to her again." Partially because of her pride and natural competitiveness, partially because of how Red Jaga would definitely follow through on her threats to kill Marynka.

"You've got me this time."

"An unbeatable team."

"Midnight won't even get a chance."

"Maybe just enough of one to see me snatching it from in front of her."

"Does she really deserve it?"

"What, watching me kick her ass for once?"

"Why not just leave her with nothing and no explanation? Turn the tables."

"But then I couldn't see her face..."

Yes that's the point.

"Then you'll have to figure out who she is first."

"Could be an advantage of a run as tough as this... I'll have a chance to really scope her out."

"Don't forget about scoping out the actual target."

"I can multitask."

"Uh huh."

"It's like you don't have faith in me."

"It's just you're a little, um, distractible."

"Slander and lies."

"So that time when we were at that castle to the east last spring, with the three cakes and six cats...?"

"Any reasonable person will stop to pet cats when she sees them."

"And some unreasonable ones too, huh."

"Exactly so."

Heh.

A two-story inn - windows glowing with warm light - comes into view through the falling snow. There's a carriage sitting off to the side of the building, though it seems any horses are tucked into the stable. 

"First stop. Are you talking or am I?"

"You know how much I like talking."

"I don't know, maybe you wanted to fantasize more about Midnight than deal with real people."

"A girl can have multiple hobbies!"

"She can, but does she?"

"She does. Just watch."

"All right."

She leads the way! 

...And, as soon as they walk into the inn, promptly gets distracted by the girl sitting next to the fire. 

Yyyyep. Beata will handle arranging their rooms for the night and the ride tomorrow.

"...Do you want something?"

"What's your name? I'm Marynka."

"Elwira."

"That's a nice name! Are you going to Karnawał as well, Elwira?"

"Ah... yes. Warszów, for Karnawał."

She clasps her hands together. "Us as well!"

"What a coincidence."

"Everyone interesting is heading that way, I feel."

"I have heard it is the place to be."

"I've never been!"

"Nor I."

"Do you have transport yet?"

"I have arranged the use of the innkeep's carriage."

"Mind if we join you?"

"I travel alone."

"Not a no..."

"It is not, in the end, my carriage."

"We'll talk to the innkeeper, then."

"We?"

"My friend's traveling with me." ...Speaking of, where's Beata?

Just coming over to talk to her, actually.

"We have a room, but someone's already rented the carriage for Warszów, so we'll have to share."

"No trouble at all." She grins at Elwira.

"This is our traveling companion?"

"So it would seem."

"Beata, this is Elwira. She's going to Karnawał too."

"Nice to meet you."

"Mm."

"Having company will be nice! Elwira, have you been to Warzów before?"

"This will be my first time."

"Ours too!"

"What a coincidence."

"I can't wait."

"Do you know anyone in the city?"

"Nope."

"Do you?"

"I'll be staying with- a cousin."

"I doubt your cousin is as lovely as you."

"How kind of you to say."

"I'm nothing if not honest and forthright."

"So I shouldn't be overly flattered?"

"You should be more flattered, since it's true."

"I see."

"And I don't say such things to many people." Partially for lack of opportunity, but still.

"High standards?"

"The highest."

"She also doesn't get out much."

She (subtly) kicks Beata.

"I believe I will maintain the interpretation that serves my ego better."

"Smart and discerning as well."

"Thank you."

"No thanks needed."

"Then I take it back."

"I'll just have to find a truly worthy compliment."

"You're quite aggressive, you know."

"We can leave. If it's bothering you."

"It's not that bad."

Which supports Marynka's good feeling about her. 

Sigh.

Yes?

Nothing. It's fine. They have a new friend. Yay.

Very yay.

"So... how long have you known each other?"

"Oh, we've known each other just about our whole lives. We're second cousins, you know - our grandmothers are sisters."

"Must be nice."

"Usually is."

"Except when she decides to be annoying."

"Which is pretty often."

"Part of your charm, surely."

"To anyone with taste."

"You wouldn't know taste if it bit you."

"I have great taste, thank you very much. And taste should bite me..."

Snrk.

Case in point. 

"Maybe I shouldn't have bothered paying for a room," Beata mutters.

"So you'd want to share?"

"I'll just leave you with your new friend and go home."

"But then you won't get to go to Karvawał!"

"Oh well."

Though maybe they should get out of the common room...

Back to their respective rooms.

Only question is which room Marynka is going to...

Ugh.

Well?

Elwira doesn't sleep well with other people in the room.

Alright. She'll let Elwira get her beauty sleep, then? 

They'll be spending plenty of time together on the way to Warszów.

An excellent point! 

Okay good night Elwira they will be going to their room now.

...Good night.

Night. 

And off to their separate rooms.

Marynka promptly falls into a carelessly deep sleep, as always.

Yeah. Sigh. Just the same as always, Marynka.

Beata will sleep as well, and wake with the dawn as always.

Everyone's favorite useless lesbian prefers sleeping until the sun is all the way up, thank you very much.

Well, breakfast will be waiting for her.

She manages to get downstairs before it's totally cold! Once she sees breakfast: "Ooo, thanks, you're the best."

"Obviously."

"Still worth saying."

"Thanks."

"No problem." And now: food!!!

Food.

Elwira gets downstairs as they're finishing up, not looking too happy about it.

- Oh is there enough for her -

All she's really looking for is a hot cup of tea.

The inn has that available. 

Good.

Then she'll be ready to leave when the others are.

Which is pretty soon. 

Good.

It's snowing when they load up into the carriage, which sets off at a brisk pace. 

Beata cuddles up to Marynka for warmth.

She's plenty warm so long as the sun's high, so - snuggles! Marynka has so much body heat to spare. 

That's what she likes about her.

Just one of her many good qualities. 

Well, let's not get carried away...

It's totally proportionate. 

Of course, of course.

Like everything Marynka does. 

"Are you always so chatty this early?"

" - It's almost midday! This really isn't early."

"To some people."

"You're a night owl then?"

"That's a good word for it."

"I'm more of a day bird."

"Too bad."

"Why?"

"The night is the most beautiful time. You cannot see the stars during the day."

"Might have to try staying up for once. But the day is the most beautiful, if you ask me."

"It's so... bright."

"From a mountaintop, you can see all the world sprawled out under your feet, and the light dances on every little ripple in the lakes. And it's warm."

"Is that really such a draw?"

(Yep. Snugs.)

"Don't tell me you like the cold, too."

"The bite reminds you that you're alive."

Interested noise. 

Smirk.

"Do you prefer the biting, or the being bit?"

"Oh, assuredly the biting."

"Hmmm... I can go either way."

"Oh, can you?"

Smirk. "Maybe I'll have to give the night's chill a try."

"Perhaps I could help."

"Perhaps you can."

Booooo.

Awwwww.

Hmph.

"What's wrong, Beata?" she teases. 

"Nothing," she says, grumpily. "I'm glad you're making friends."

"Do you want to make friends too?"

"You're friend enough for me."

"Awww. You're sweet."

Hee. "Yeah."

"Like spun sugar."

"I'd like to think I'm a little more durable."

"You can be like more than one thing at once!"

"I guess."

"So you can be as sweet as spun sugar and as durable as the sun."

"For you, I think a flame encompasses most of your best qualities. Bright, warm, dangerous..."

Giggle! "It's like you know me."

"I'm a little familiar."

"Just a little."

"I wouldn't want to give up the opportunity to know you better."

"So you're not familiar enough yet?"

"I'm sure there's more to learn."

"I'm a pretty dynamic woman."

"Always something new." Even if it's never quite what Beata wants.

Like this journey! 

Which stretches on for days, through a wide variety of inns, including one a couple days into their trip that only has a single room available. (Given that they're starting to meet more people headed for Karniwał, this might get more common the closer they get to their destination.)

Well, that's a little awkward.

Only two thin beds, too...

Beata and Marynka can share. Elwira can have the other. To minimize awkwardness.

If that sounds good to Elwira?

Yeah, that's... fine.

Cool. 

Glad that's settled.

Time to get ready for bed soon enough, then. 

Sleep is important!

...Except it turns out that Marynka is taking this as an opportunity to stay up late with Elwira, both because of Elwira's insistence the night is beautiful, and because Marynka is extremely competitive and refuses to go to sleep first. 

Oh, that's going to be a bear to deal with tomorrow.

(Good luck to her.)

Hey, Elwira promised to show her the beauty of the stars and the night's chill, didn't she? 

Harder to do that from inside.

Then maybe they should leave Beata to her beauty sleep...

And go for a late night stroll?

Sounds good to her.

...Maybe Beata had better go along. Since they're just going to wake her up when they come back anyway.

They'll be quiet coming back, promise. Beata should get some sleep. 

Mm. If that's what Marynka wants...

It is! 

...All right. Don't stay up too late.

Depends on how the night goes. 

Uuuugggghhhhh. Beata rolls over and buries her face in her pillow.

They'll leave her to her sleep. 

Indeed. It's for the best.

Out into the cold night with the two of them. 

Elwira seems to perk up under the light of the stars.

(Pretty.) She'll need to show Marynka why they're so special...

Does she know the constellations and their stories?

Can't say she does...

That's a good place to start, then. The easiest ones to find this time of year are the Bears and the Warrior...

She listens raptly.

Elwira has a lot of things to share about the stars.

Pretty things. 

They are.

And more than just the stars are pretty. 

Is that so?

Very much so! The night is full of beautiful things, it seems. 

Well, what else is there?

Hmmm... The sky is darker than she's ever seen it, and the snowy landscape has an unreal glow... Reflecting in a certain woman's hair - dark as the sky and lined with starlight...

That does sound impressive.

And the last is likely difficult for Elwira to see for herself. 

It's not the most convenient.

Marynka can be her mirror in a pinch, then. 

That's very kind of her.

That's Marynka alright. Kind and generous.

And beautiful herself, in the starlight.

She thinks the midday sun complements her own beauty more. 

It certainly matches her hair.

True! 

Elwira does quite like the hue.

Preen!

Elwira hopes she's not too cold, so far from her sun.

It is very cold... But Marynka's enjoying the bite so far. 

Excellent.

Though she still needs a bit more convincing...

Perhaps they can do this again.

She's looking forward to it. 

Shall they head back for now?

Sure. 

Fortunately, they can get back in without disturbing Beata too much.

Good. (Though Marynka still seems determined to stay up as long as Elwira.)

She at least appears to go to sleep not long after they get back.

Marynka drops off pretty quickly once she's 'won.'

She can win at waking up first in the morning too, pretty easily.

Winning all around! (...At everything but getting enough sleep.)

Beata hopes it was worth it.

It was! 

Oh. Well.

Good for her.

The sunlight perks her right up, too. (...Though she'll get pretty sleepy once it gets past midday.)

She can nap on Beata's shoulder.

Sounds good. 

Excellent.

(Makes up a little for last night.)

(Marynka still seems to have no idea that last night was at all something to angst about.)

Yeah, typical Marynka. Not sure if it would be better otherwise, honestly.

It's a good way to finish the day's trip, at least. 

Is she planning on staying up late again?

Yep!

Don't do anything she'll regret, okay?

She never does. 

Yeah.

Though she and Elwira can leave Beata to her beauty sleep again. 

Beata... appreciates... the consideration.

And... Out? 

Sure.

This night is somehow even more chilly (and clear and beautiful) than the night before. 

Hopefully Marynka can still stand it.

She's appreciating the bite more and more. 

Elwira is pleased to hear that.

Because she likes biting? 

Quite.

Then she could give Marynka a taste of a real bite...

Oh, but where to start?

Well, Marynka's face is currently uncovered... Though she could bare her neck or a hand fairly easily. 

Elwira takes Marynka's hand and peels off her glove, before gently bringing her thumb up to her mouth to nibble.

Shiver!

She takes a bigger bite, digging her teeth in behind the knuckle.

Mmmph!

"That," breath, "All you've got?"

"It's not all you have..." She shifts her bite to the meat of Marynka's thumb, where it joins the palm.

Wiggle mmmmm!!! (Her toes curl in her boots, and her breath catches.)

"You're an interesting one."

"Mmm - I'm unique."

Hum.

Squirm!

Elwira wants to taste more of Marynka. She knows this is a bad idea, but right now she doesn't care.

Well, her face is right here... Though she's also very eager to help Elwira unwrap further places. 

Elwira is going to unwrap her!

Mmmm double bites, from the frigid air and from Elwira's mouth. 

Does that mean Elwira gets double wiggles?

Yesssss.

Oh, good.

Delicious, delicious girl.

Mmm all laid out for Elwira.

Elwira's not above knocking her over into the snow.

Cold!!! (Also Elwira might need to pin her down for the wiggles to not get in the way of her feast...)

One hand on a shoulder, the other at her throat...

Perfect. (She gets quite the reaction from tightening her hand on Marynka's throat.)

That bears further investigation.

Mmmmmffffff!!! Wiggle!!!!!

How engaging.

Which means Elwira will be engaging more, of course - ?

She's hardly going to give it up here.

Excellent. 

This is such a bad idea.

Lip nibbles?

Yesss. (So long as Elwira doesn't mind Marynka trying to nibble back.)

That's fair.

Then bite.

Retaliatory tickle!

Oh no her only weakness!!!

Hehehehe.

Very cruel of Elwira.

Yes, it is.

Squirm wiggle! 

Though Marynka does seem to be enjoying this a little too much for it to be real cruelty...

The problem with being a masochist. (Though she does actually find tickling aversive, unlike the bites.)

Then Elwira will have to be a little sparing with them.

Pull them out when she feels like being really mean.

Good idea.

Marynka is full of those. 

So she is.

Kisses?

Kisses!!!

Tasty.

She is! 

Elwira is well prepared to stay up all night.

She might have to carry Marynka back to bed. 

Does she not know her own limits? Elwira can just about picture the disappointed look that her friend would give her.

The point of limits is to push them! 

Oh, of course. Elwira's mistake.

Well, she's been corrected now. 

Well, Elwira will just have to handle carrying Marynka back to bed then.

She can walk!!!

(...No she can't.)

Guess Elwira will have to carry her after all. (And if she's magically a little stronger than she maybe should be... well. Who's going to call her on it?)

Definitely not Marynka (it's unclear if she even notices).

A smooth trip back to bed it is, then.

With a sleepy snuggly Marynka.

Does that mean she wants to share?