“Hey, wasn’t it funny years ago when Modo fell off that cliff ?” “When I pushed him? Yeah! That reminds me ” “Mmmph !” Their guest gave its loudest yet complaint, kicking out at one of third’s shins Missing, of course, but making a valiant attempt, nonetheless “Huh?” All three asked at once, turning to their captive in a singular moment of lucidity They stared a moment until the candle sizzled and popped, dragging away their concentration like an angry moon upon the evening tide “Last one to Cockaigne has to juggle beehives!” First shouted with glee as he blinked out of existence with a loud pop “Material!” Shouted second as he scrambled to his feet Laughing, he traced the outline of a door in the cavern wall and opened a very real one onto a heretofore tranquil backwater planet, dashing through and slamming it closed behind him Watching his selves vanish, third opened his mouth and crammed his hands and feet in and down, noisily contorting and swallowing himself into nothingness with little more than a gurgle The moment was over and Flibbertigibbet was gone, vanished on another meandering, fruitless pursuit The candle’s light faded, and the cold returned Silence descended, except for a soft sigh of proud resignation and the faint trickle of water on stone Alone in the gloom, once again, the Dark Mother’s eyes glimmered