[SE] I Saw Three Ships

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

The Caretaker was usually difficult to rattle, but she’d had a multitude of difficult days, and her patience was wearing on thin; in either exasperation, distaste, or whatever the moment called for. Summoning the last dregs of her compassion, tolerance, and forbearance, she turned back at the accusations – her eyes beginning to narrow, but her mind focused on upholding all those modicums of generosity. “While I doubt Mittens did any of that,” considering she’d snagged her companion before it could commit an act, “I can help you.” Out of kindness, exhaustion, or temperance; perhaps all three, she briefly loosened her hold on the little beast so she could begin picking up some of the baubles.

The snowball, of course, only provided aid through a heinous, spiteful screech in Thalassa’s direction.

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all