And all the world is white, full of snow, cold, and, for a few hours, light! It's two days from solstice and the day is longer, not much but anyway. Light is winning, life is winning and even if the coldest days are still ahead there is hope, maybe...
The house of Valerie: All the characters are there, I think, and their presence is taking shape, and it's wonderful as always. Potential boyfriend met the count, and was intrigued, as was the count, practically boiling with enthusiasm, and Valerie feeling that helpless joy of losing control once more. She doesn't like it but can do nothing: the house does what it wants a and brings forth whoever it wants, never mind her....
