Snake Wreath Rebellion

A flier caught Buffy’s eye as she heaved her bag full of books from the library back to her and Willow’s dorm. Bold block Greek letters belonging to the Lowell House dorms advertised a ‘Luck O’ The Irish’ party on Friday. It was asking everyone to wear gold instead of green. Seemed different and fun, especially if she just happened to run into Riley there. Wouldn’t be unheard of to see him at a party in his fraternity house.

The dorm hallway buzzed with excitement that seemed to be expressed by covering the walls in cut outs of all shapes and sizes. The onslaught of all things green or the tacky interpretations of leprechauns had begun over a week ago.

Buffy dug out the keys to her shared bedroom, frowning at a huge paper leprechaun that was creepily smiling at her stuck on their door. She sighed, rolling her eyes as she pushed the door open and escaped the tacky decorations.

“Oh no!” Tara’s quiet concern for Willow wasn’t surprising. She and Willow hadn’t been dating long, but even Buffy could tell their connection was instant. A sort of magic all of its own.

Willow had her finger into her mouth, trying to ease a burn from the glue gun she handed off, “Maybe you should take over for a bit.”

The couple was sitting across from each other on Willow’s bed surrounded by colorful plastic squiggles. There was a somewhat purposeful arrangement between them though.

Buffy dumped her bag on her own bed, “What’s with the collage snakes?”

“It’s for St. Patrick’s Day.” Tara answers.

Buffy curiously picks one up, “Of course. Giles said we’d need them artfully arranged to slay the leprechauns.”

“You know they don’t exist, Buffy.” Willow scoffs, “And what could they possibly have done to deserve slaying?”

“Maybe they stole something.” Tara feigns seriousness, “That whole treasure thing is just a ruse to distract you from what they really steal.”

Willow concedes, “Somehow, I could believe that.”

“Now I’m really thankful I don’t have to slay them. I’d rather do whatever it is you’re doing?” Buffy makes herself comfortable beside them, putting the toy snake back with the others, “What exactly are you two doing?”

“We’re making snake wreaths.” Tara states proudly, weaving and gluing another intricately into the circular pile laid out between her and Willow.

“As one does.” Buffy nodded skeptically. 

“Well, we do.” Willow chuckled. “Saint Patrick was a missionary that traveled to Ireland. The story goes that he drove all the snakes from the land, that’s why there are no snakes there, besides the ones kept as pets at least. It’s really a metaphor for Pagans or Witches being converted or driven out of Ireland. So, we are rebelling and making a wreath of snakes to hang on Tara’s door to say that the snakes are still here.”

“Why don’t we get one?” Buffy pouts.

“I didn’t know if, um, if you’d be okay with…” Willow grimaces, “I got enough supplies to hang one on my side of the room. I didn’t want you to feel that you had to support –”

“Of course, I am supportive! I am nothing but supportive like, you know, something that…supports.” Buffy looked a little defeated, but earnest. “I say we hang one. Live a little on the edge.”

Tara adds coyly, “This is when we are supposed to be all edgy, find ourselves, and occasionally rebel.” 

“Right!” Willow agrees excitedly.

Buffy is crestfallen, “Does this rebellion include not going to a party at Lowell House?”

“I think we could make an exception during our rebellion for such reasons.” Tara hedges, moving the finished snake wreath over to start the other. 

Willow squeaks excitedly in agreement, “We could consider ourselves double agents!”