The merriest time for the Court of the Rogue was definitely that of Midwinter. The rest of Corus was in a joyous spirit and the Lower City was no exception. Of course, there were children who went without because their parents couldn't afford gifts – everything else went into paying for the food, for the roofs over their heads – but the rest of the time for them was merry.
Kora and Aniki had been discussing the merits of having a person deliver presents to the families in the Lower City who couldn't afford to give their loved ones anything. Fuzzball, Laddybuck and the other cats adopted by Kora and their household, twirled around their feet, mewing for their supper.
"I love you, but, please, go catch a mouse," Kora told the cats, pointing out the door.
Aniki rested her chin on her palm, watching Fuzzball and the other cats follow Laddybuck out the door, tails up in the air and furry behinds swinging as if they were in a conga line. "Even the cats are celebrating Midwinter."
"The Lower City families need a bit of cheer. It's been a hard year, what with the harvest not being as best as could be."
"You could wash everyone's laundry for free. That'd cheer them all up."
Kora slanted her eyes towards Aniki. "So would my setting your hair on fire and sending you running naked through the streets."
"That'd scare the children."
Kora grinned widely. "No more than anything else they've seen in their lives. Parents around here are pretty open about their activities... wouldn't surprise me if the kids had heard 'em at it."
"You should try that on Rosto."
Kora considered that for a moment before laughing at Aniki's folly. "I think I'd rather have my teeth pulled out painfully, one by one, than face Rosto with his hair on fire by my doing."
