"I hope my dresses are appropriately flattering to the collar."

"Oh, that was an absolute requirement. 'Comfortable to kneel in' was another."

"You think of everything."

"You do. This is why you've been teaching us all those dances and rituals?"

"Of course. I didn't know what season you'd finish in time for, but - there's some consistent bits, and now I don't need to update you guys on details more than a little."

"...Did you tell mom already?"

"Yeah, both she and mama know. They're thinking of using the time to really focus on their own projects, I think."

"Sounds like them."

"Mom's been close to twitching out of her skin," she says with a giggle. "It's nice they've put those things off for us, but - "

"It'll be nice to give them a chance to get caught up on that stuff, too. I'm - getting it now, why mom finds crafting so hard to pull away from."

"You're a lot easier to poke, though."

"Well." Awkward shrug. "I don't ever want to neglect you."

Samira leans happily against Layla's legs.

She kisses Layla, softly. "Thank you."

Smile. "Thank you."

Then: "Though... While I'm sure plotting the takeover of Creation is sufficient celebration for Micqui... I'd like to celebrate my twin's collaring a bit more energetically," she teases.

"At your command."

"World conquest can wait a day," she agrees.

This seems like an excellent time to test Samira's collar, too... Especially her giving up her will entirely.

It's a little scary- but freeing, too, like diving off a high cliff into the ocean.

It's fun, and Micqui gets an amazing thrill from using Samira as an extension of herself, layered in with her delight about what she's having Samira do.

It turns out both sisters controlling Samira at the same time is somewhat inevitably awkward, so after some playful argument Layla lies back and lets Micqui puppet her twin.

Good. Layla worked hard and deserves to be doted on.

Best girls.

Layla has one of the very few urges she's had since hitting her final growth spurt to sleep in the next morning. Her sisters are excellent, responsibility is terrible...

And Layla inherited every single drop of her mama's horrible morning person nature, so she gently slides out of bed as the sun starts peeking over the horizon.

Samira stirs sleepily. "Mrlphl."