In the Courtyard on a Birthday Afternoon

[smallestopener]

The roses have just begun to bloom in the House of Arch courtyard; whether that's due to nature or a charm helping them along is immaterial. Ingress loves the courtyard. It's where she goes for archery and sword lessons, and it's nice, happy place to breathe fresh air. Of course, who knows from which century the fresh air comes; that is immaterial

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[gorgonfondness]

Now what kind of newlyweds would Draco and Mia be if they didn't attend their flower girl's birthday party? But even if they weren't married, Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Ausa would both be more than happy to go.

It took a little coaxing, a little shopping around, and a little magical finagling, but the two have managed to make Ingress a purple gorgon doll. Much to Ingress's delight and in spite of Draco's chagrin about the round little beady-eyed plush.

The cake and tea was lovely, but the most fun came when Ingress insisted that the couple play horseshoes with her. Mia, always interested in a new game, eagerly agreed. Draco thought it was rather simple and wasn't terribly interested, but went along with it for the sake of Ingress and Mia.

Once he was told to stop using magic, the girls effortlessly beat him. He fumed and fumed about that, at least until he got a kiss from his wife.

There'll be no sad faces on Ingress's birthday.

[a_fell]

"Well!" Aziraphael exclaims upon entering the courtyard. "I must say that I've never seen quite so perfect a place for a birthday tea party."

Aziraphael is equally impressed by the tea itself, sandwiches, cake, biscuits, and fruit, and pronounces each to be exquisite. Ingress beams, tearing into the gift (a large book on courtly behaviour and swordplay) and insisting that they play horseshoes.

Aziraphael loses gracefully, aside from a few protests that his aim must have been compromised by the beauty of the birthday girl in her white dress. And later he's even pressed into a few magic tricks ("Only if you insist," he says to Ingress's somewhat sceptical look. "And now, young miss, cast your eyes upon this perfectly ordinary pocket-watch!").

Ingress pretends not to have seen all the tricks - and better - before now, and applauds before dragging the hapless angel off to play badminton.

"Really, I think croquet is more my speed, my dear..." is heard as they disappear in the direction of the court.

[sanguimmuno]

Tom brought Ingress a most intriguing present from the bar; apparently Salazar couldn't make it to the party, but he left this for her after finding out that her birthday was imminent. The box is relatively large, and when she the lid- she squeaks in delighted surprise to see-

"Oh wow! Salazar always picks out the coolest gifts," she says, taking out the replica of Kruja castle (with some help from Tom) and examining it closely, taking time to note the little dolls that look like her family laying in the courtyard. She'll make sure to write him a thank you note. She'll have Tom help her find the very best parchment.

[nomorekaraoke]

If asked, Lorne would tell anyone interested enough to, that he can't for the life of him remember the last time he went to a kid's birthday party. No, wait, that's not right. He can. It was never and a day ago. But being here, he feels perplexedly fortunate, somehow. Not for never having been to a girl's big day, but for being here, now. As first times go, this one's quite special, even without the Milliways factor.

He wouldn't have missed it for the world. Watching Ingress show off the shiny tool box he got for her to one of the young women, a curvy little number with big, bright eyes and a noticeable interest in the tools - and wouldn't Lorne love to meet her - he can't help but feel something stirring way deep down in his left buttock. It's an alarming something, a little teeny, insidious something he didn't ever want to get reacquainted with. It's affection. Pure, simple affection

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack made Ingress a book.

The paper is thick and embedded with flower petals and leaves, with a faintly greenish tinge. The cover is tooled leather, also green: Jack made a picture of an archway, with "INGRESS of the HOUSE of ARCH" at the bottom. There is a large silver button and a leather thong to tie the book closed.

Inside Jack has written, For Ingress on her Ninth Birthday. This book will keep your secrets safe. Love, Jack, Gil, Georgia and Keiran.