Ummm, shifty memory cous
Wow, the news you dropped on me this time! I think I may need a little recovery time for this one. I promise to protect your confidence as long as need be. Which, you ought to know, is nigh impossible considering my mother. Whatever SHE knows, is soon known by Aunt Rose. However, for you cous, I will keep it close.
Now to answer charges laid against my innocent self (please don't strike me mister lightening).
If you recall correctly, I have always had red hair. YOU wanted red hair, too (we're cousins, we oughtta have the same hair color, you said), hence the whooping you got. I got one supposedly for encouraging you. Nyah.
You also forgot WHY I put pebbles in your ear. Somebody said I was named Tickleberry because I looked like one? Hmmmm? Ring a bell? (Hair as red as a berry, eyes like the Tickleleaves, skin like the bark!?) You got off easy, chum.
The weretiger was all your idea, not that Aunt Rose would believe it by any means, sheesh, I was just the go-to girl. (Please don't strike me mister lightening.)
By the way, I would like to hear how little Geo came to be, considering your preferences? It must be one heck of a story, one I'd just about give an ear to hear. Little Geo also explains why so many of your letters home are short, doesn't he?
News from home: the five year champion windbag has been disqualified from the smoke ring competition! Poppa is over the moon! He didn't win, but then, neither did his old rival. Turns out the old bandit had been using a magic pipe! We have the little pseudodragon to thank for that. He and Kierenestrael (ahem) had come home just for Poppa's competition, and the little drake went right for the pipe old Silas Bottomwater had. They did a truth spell on him (courtesy of Kip- I mean Kierenestrael's teacher) and found he had been cheating for over five years! We all thought Poppa was going to burst! Silas, as far as I have been able to discern, has left the Vale, and headed who knows where. Poppa is already gearing up for the next competition. Who won? Old Agnes Hornblower took honors this round.
Kierenestrael, hang it! I'm the big sister, she's still Kippen! She has indeed knotted her teacher's beard. I hear he has decided to go beardless for the nonce. Oh well. I hear he has her working on some interestesting spells. He's got her doing cantrips well enough. Lord knows, most of those were meant for practical jokes. I wonder if that's why he's rushed her through those.
Peregrine is still over the moon, for that matter, so is everyone else about the baby. He's fine, and Peregrine was most gratified with your news. I promised to furnish his first bow, and that REALLY gratified him. Momma looked a little concerned though, wonder if she was doubting my methods. I did take her aside and reassure her. She still thinks I'm some lowly pickpocket, but we two know better, don't we? (The answer, in case you are wondering, is a resounding "of course!")
I have never picked a pocket, ever. I work better than that, and never to an undeserving suspect (a la that Bilbo fellow, what was it. . .?)
Anyhow, that's all the news that's new from home, and the company is once again in full form, hopefully the adventure will continue soon. I'll let you know who bows out and who stays, and if we catch that cloud again to finish the job properly!
All love and kisses
Tickleberry