We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms

[doesntlooktired]

It rarely snowed in London, not proper snow anyway, at least not snow like Harriet remembered from her childhood growing up in Yorkshire. But even so when she though about snow it was never her youth in Flydale North that came to mind but London streets on Christmas Day only three years ago. Despite appearances though, it hadn’t really been snow

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[polly_okeefe]

Well, it had taken a while, but I had finally getting into the spirit of the season. I stood behind my snow barricade beside the path near the Compound doors, putting the finishing touches on a small pyramid of snowballs, keeping an eye out for Mother -- I mean, my prey. Other targets included Sean, Pacey, Daddy, Tim and Dick. Definitely Dick, though that probably qualified as a suicide mission. But after the last successful snowball fight, how bad could it be?

I picked up a snowball as I saw somebody coming up to the Compound, but aborted my targetting when I saw who it was. I gave the woman a smile and a wave. "Hello, Prime Minister," I said innocently, the pyramid of snowballs in plain view by my feet.

[doesntlooktired]

Harriet was distracted enough that she did not notice Polly until the girl called out to her and she turned to see the girl and her store of snowballs ahead of her. She was far too old to see the snow as an opportunity for fun and games, herself, but that did not mean she begrudged such things to the young. As long as they left her well alone, of course.

"Hello, Polly," she replied with a cheer that she did not really feel. She wasn't going to tell Polly to call her Harriet again if it hadn't taken the last time. There comes a point where it stops being friendly to insist and starts being just throwing your weight around.

"You know, I think there's something different about the weather lately but I can't quite put my finger on what," she added with a chuckle.

[polly_okeefe]

I laughed. But I also winced, remembering her admonition and my promise to call her "Harriet". But it was surprisingly hard. "Harriet" just didn't fit her. But I'd try harder next time.

"Well," I said, "Once I got over the shock -- and delivered some warm clothes to my parents -- I think I preferred this over the heatwave. At least I can sleep in my hut -- I mean, yurt."

Then I saw something in her hand. It looked a bit like a cattle skull, bleached dry in the desert or on one of Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. It was one of the last things I'd expected the woman to carry, and the surprise caused me to forget my politeness and ask, "what's that?"

[doesntlooktired]

"A mask," Harriet replied slowly. "I think it just arrived here this morning."

[polly_okeefe]

The terseness of the answer told me that I'd stumbled upon something difficult. And the fact that it had 'arrived' from anywhere made me think of King Rillian and his Silver Chair.

I was curious, but Harriet's tone made me think twice before asking. She wasn't wielding a sword, or going to smash the mask in the rec room -- an area I was sort of responsible for helping to keep clean.

Instead, I bit my lip and, after a moment, said, "A 'gift' from the island? I'm sorry."

[doesntlooktired]

"Don't be, dear," Harriet reassured with a smile. "It's just a reminder of some things that I would rather forget."

"In any case," she added to try and change the subject. "I'm glad to hear that your parents are here. It must be a relief."

Especially if Polly looked after them as her comment about the warm clothing had indicated.

[polly_okeefe]

I chuckled, this time a little ruefully. Then I drew myself up. "You know, it _is_ a relief. It's just... not the way you'd expect. In bringing us together, the Island decided to play with our heads as well."

[doesntlooktired]

"I'm sorry to hear that," Harriet replied honestly. "How so?"

[polly_okeefe]

"They're not my parents," I replied. "They will be. They're nineteen. I'm seventeen. Back home, my parents are forty-two."

[doesntlooktired]

"Oh," Harriet replied looking suddenly distressed, "oh lord, you poor dear."

And then she dropped the mask and pulled Polly into a hug, trampling over her snowballs in the process.

[polly_okeefe]

"Um! It's okay," I said. But I hugged her back. Perhaps she need this as much as I did. As I gently eased her back, but held onto her arms, I added, "They're still the people who become my parents. And my parents are pretty remarkable people. We know who each other is and... we're dealing with it. Sure, they're old enough to be my brother and sister, but... they're still family."

[doesntlooktired]

She normally wouldn't have been so emotional but she had more sympathy for young girls than other people and after years of caring for an ailing mother, the idea of a parent forgetting that her child ever existed hit a little close to home.

"I'm glad," she said as she pulled out of the hug. "Any family must be a comfort to you."

[polly_okeefe]

I smiled a little sadly, because comfort or not, it still reminded me that we were prisoners here. "Yes, it is," I said. "It's still very, very weird, but... I'm glad they're here, and that we're friends, even though it's awkward."

I was still a little perplexed by her reaction, so tentatively I asked. "Are... you okay... Harriet?"

[doesntlooktired]

Harriet didn't think there was anything particularly strange about her reaction, she had grown up in a community where touching among women was the norm and she was used to giving comfort when she thought it was needed. If it came as a surprise to other people, and it often did, it was mostly because they weren't used to powerful people who were willing to surrender their dignity so easily.

"I'm perfectly fine, Polly," she replied as she bent down to pick up her mask. "I haven't even managed to break my hip yet, despite the weather."

[polly_okeefe]

"Uh--" I stuttered. Did she think I thought she was some doddering old lady? Hardly. At most -- _at most_ -- she was as old as Grand, and Grand was a stunner. "That wasn't what I meant," I stammered.

I sighed. "I'm sorry. Can we start over? It's just that... you seemed preoccupied. And I know it's none of my business, so I won't pry any further."

[doesntlooktired]

Harriet normally got on well with people but finding the mask had clearly put her on edge. That had been intended as a light hearted joke but had obviously come over as something far more biting.

Perhaps she had just too much experience of being underestimated because she was old, or female or human to comfortably joke about it.

"No, I'm sorry Polly," she replied earnestly. "I'm afraid I'm not the best company today. I've been reminded of some things I can't help but dwell on."

It was something of a reoccurring problem now that she was on the Island and had no clear task to distract herself with.