The Estate, Sidra, Glacia, Thursday (Fandom Time)

[glacial_queen]

Winsol had been going on now for several days. The family had just decamped from SaDiablo Hall in Dhemlan back home to Glacia to continue the festivities in their own home. There would be several more days of formal events, but this evening was just for family and close friends (specifically friends close enough to be family). The children were

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[trigons_child]

Raven was there, of course, since, well, she lived there.

And she had a wee horde of children with her, running and giggling and occasionally getting exasperated smiles from their mother.

[blondecanary]

"Oh my gosh, so many adorables," Dinah gushed, then offered Raven a hug. "Merry Christmas from New Gotham, and happy Winsol from me!"

[trigons_child]

"Torben, slow down," Raven cautioned as one wee boy almost careened into the legs of a poor member of the Staff who was replenishing a platter of food.

Then she turned to Dinah and hugged her. "They are adorable," she agreed. "But exhausting at times. Do we have that much energy when we are small?"

[blondecanary]

"I seem to remember Momoko and I on a sugar-fueled high, running around a playground and screaming just because we could," Dinah said, grinning, and squeezing her back. "You were tiny and solemn and sweet, I think. How many are there here? How is the orphanage going? God, it's been too long."

[trigons_child]

"How many children? Ten at least," Raven said, though it was hard to keep count since they wouldn't stop moving.

"And the orphanages have been doing well. So many children have been placed in loving homes that I have been able to close some of them down. I dream of the day that none will be necessary."

[blondecanary]

"How many are you going to keep for yourself?" Dinah asked, only half-teasing. Because she could totally see that happening. "And that's awesome, I'm so glad to hear it. If you guys need any help, or more supplies, I still wanna hear about it." She beamed and said, "And how 'bout you, any other fun stuff going on?" Guys? Girls? Gossip gossip gossip, Raven!

[glacial_queen]

"Mother Night," Karla said, shaking her head as several of Raven's brood tumbled by, unsurprised to see white feathers amongst them. "And how many are here tonight?"

[trigons_child]

"Six," Raven said. She paused, doing a quick headcount, both to assure herself none of them had wandered off to find mischief and that she had her number correct.

"Karina, Jens, Torben, Linn, Maja, Ryan, yes, six." Was that going to be her limit? Time would tell.

[glacial_queen]

Karla and Warren had a bet going. Warren's answer was 'No.' Karla's was 'Ahahaha, Hell no.' Lucivar was trying to get in on it with the answer of 'You'll have to make it an order.'

"Ahh. Wasn't sure if there were any new visitors over the holidays," Karla said, giving Raven a knowing smile. She patted Karina's head as the tiny girl tumbled by. She had a special fondness for her, based on an old Fandom friend of the same name.

[trigons_child]

"I did consider it," Raven admitted, because of course she had. "But I thought perhaps a quieter night would be a refreshing change."

Quieter meaning shrieks and giggling from wound-up children who were getting into too many sweets, of course.

[glacial_queen]

Of course! And the laughing chatter of adults who'd had too much to drink. "You have a fascinating definition of 'quiet'," Karla said, laughing. Raven, of course, knew that she wouldn't have it any other way.

[heromaniac]

"You look so happy," Momoko said, smiling as she offered a cup of warm punch to her friend. "Are they all yours now, or are you only hosting some?"

[trigons_child]

"Thank you," Raven said, accepting the cup. "And yes, all mine." Karina had been the first, then Jens, and the rest had followed quickly. "They keep me busy, that much is certain." But she was smiling brightly as she said it.

[heromaniac]

"Are you trying to run poor Ulrich out of a job, taking all his children?" Momoko's heart flipped at that smile. Had she ever seen that happy a look on Raven's face without some Fandom weird going on? "How are they getting along with each other? They're not all Blood, right?"