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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[kitchen_maid]

Amy is a little late; she got held up at home by a small crisis involving an ambassdor's daughter, a duke's cousin, and two remarkably similar gowns. But she wouldn't miss Ingress' birthday for anything.

She waits till there's a lull in the guests and greetings and general activity that surround the birthday girl, and then she catches Ingress for a hug.

"Happy birthday, dear. Perry and Susan and Merry send their love."

The box she hands her former princess lessons student is small. The silver and amethyst locket inside may look familiar; Amy wore it everyday when she lived here. The tiny paintings of her parents it once held, however, have been replaced with ones of Tom and Door.

You keep your family in your heart wherever you go, Amy knows. But sometimes it's nice to have them where you can see them, too.