Sarah was reading one of her books on demonology in the lounge, while Diana had one of her many shows on and quietly knitted. There was something so relaxing about the rhythmic soft clicking of the knitting needles and Sarah had forgotten to hide the cover of her book from Diana. She didn't need to bother. Diana was barely watching her show and was entirely fixated on the yellow and purple bouquet that graced the center of the table.
"...so?" Sarah said, putting her book face down on her lap and covering the title with her hand in, what she thought was, a casual gesture, "What's up with those flowers?"
"Hm?"
"Nia said you'd know what it means, so what does it?"
"It means she's cheesed off," Diana replied, not bothering to stop her needles clicking.
"They're flowers?"
"Look up flower language if you must know. Let's just say it's clear to me."
"Aha," Sarah said, then continued to read.
"Hey, Diana," Sarah said a few minutes later, taking a break from knitting, "How's that for you?"
"What?" Sarah asked. Diana nodded to the tv set. Sarah looked up at the
"A husband and three kids? No thank you."
Diana forced a weak smile, "Running a restaurant, honey."
Sarah blinked, "What gives you the impression I can cook?"
Diana shrugged, "It's not that hard. Just follow the recipes, then you start experimenting."
"Okay," Sarah smirked, "Simple enough, but then why would I have you?"
Diana returned the smirk, "So your ass doesn't end up homeless."
"Did I hear ass?"
Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh when Lily entered the room, "Guess I'll go read elsewhere."
"Lily," Diana said without looking up, "Go put some clothes on."
Lily pouted at her sister, then retreated as quick as she had come. Sarah watched her leave, frowning the girl left her tail dangling in the doorway for a moment. trying to seductively beckon Sarah with the appendage. She shook her head, turning back to her book.
"Thank you for that," she mumbled between lines.
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"You're welcome."
For five minutes the room was back at peace, the sound the television, the clicking needles and the occasional page turn the only sounds, until Lily returned.
Even though Sarah had been of mind to ignore her, she now stared blankly at what enterred.
"Well," Lily said, clutching the bonnet that matched her dress in her hands, "I'll be going to school now. Pa would be ever so mad if I'm late."
"Be sure to stop by the well on the way home," Diana said calmly, "We need water."
"Sure will, ma!" Lily called, put her bonnet and a moment later she heard her footsteps on the stairs.
"Explain?" she asked when she was sure Lily wasn't coming back
"Just acting out. If you go along with it, it stops being fun for her..."
"Does this also work on... you know?"
Diana's knitting stopped as she gave the question some consideration, "Probably. Sleeping with her would definitely get her off your back. She's only really interested in people who aren't into her."
"Wh?"
Diana shrugged, almost dropping her wool from the needle as she did, "It's the challenge aspect for her. She's the same with everything. Once she gets good at it, she stops."
"Seems like a hard life for a musician."
"That's why she plays almost every instrument. She of course had several lifetimes to learn."
"Come to think of that, Diana. I know you don't ask a lady, but..."
"How old I am?"
Sarah nodded.
"I was old when the Romans were just building their city. Lily, my younger sister as you know, has an appearance in the bible."
Sarah laughed loudly at that, "Sure, Diana. Where?"
"Easy..." Diana said lamely, "Something starting with easy..."
"That does fit your sister."
"Rude!" Lily called from the hallway.
"Accurate!" Sarah threw back.
"Ha, made you talk to me."
"Point for her," Diana chuckled.
"Shush."
"Hey, Lily. What did you call yourself in those days again?"
"There's a question. Something with O. Oho...something. I don't remember. Just look it up."
"No, thanks," Sarah mumbled, starting to read again.
Lily entered the room, barely dressed in daisy dukes and a top that was little more than a folded towel tied around her chest.
"You know it's cold out?" Diana asked.
"Not going out," Lily replied, showing a toothy grin, "Staying in all day with my sister before back to Japan tomorrow."
"Big concert?"
"I'll be practicing some sort of flutistry, yes."
Sarah rolled her eyes, pretending she didn't hear Lily, which was the signal she needed to drop down on the side of Sarah's chair.
"Whatcha reading?"
"None of your business," Sarah snapped back, putting her hand over the page, forgetting to hide the image on the other one.
"Oh!" Lily Said, "Barry!"
"Barry?"
"That's what he calls himself now. Baphomet to you, I guess. Book on the templars?"
"Yup," Sarah lied through her teeth.
"Well, they never worshiped him. Not for a lack of trying on his part, so your book is probably nonsense."
"...Thanks for the warning," Sarah said icily, "Can I get back to my book?"
"Sure."
Sarah tried to read, while Lily remained perched on the armrest.
"Do you mind?" Sarah snapped, pushing her aside.
Lily pouted at her, then decided to sit in another chair instead, sitting be a rather broad word to describe what she was doing. She had her legs over the arm rest and her head hanging down the other side so she could see her sister, albeit upside down.
"What we watching?" she asked, then turned to look at the television, "Oh. That burger show. Hey, I haven't had one since I got here. Can you make me one? A good one?"
"Burgers for dinner," Diana said, "Noted. Do you want as well, Sarah?"
Sarah looked up from her book, at Diana, then to Lily, who smiled serenely and offered a playful wink.
"I think I'll go out for dinner tonight," she responded, biting back the remark she had for Lily, instead stating, "Enjoy your bonding time."
"Suit yourself," the sisters said in unison.