In the Tea Party Room

[smallestopener]

Ingress sits at the table in the tea party room, gluing on some last minute bits and pieces to the many popsicle stick frames she's making for the friends she hopes will come visit. They are glittery, of course, but they also hold sticky treasures - old stamps, multi-colored bottle caps, shiny bits of smooth glass, antique beads, and rhinestones

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

X comes visiting, at least.

She's brought a milkshake.

It is not vanilla.

"You are okay?"

[smallestopener]

"You brought me a milkshake!" Ingress cries in glee, running and hugging Laura (and then snatching the milkshake - it's been several days since she's had a good old Milliways milkshake!!!)

"Thanks, Laura."

She doesn't answer her question. She's watched the grownups do that, so she figures she might as well try it, too.

[cutting_edgex23]

X freezes at the hug.

One day X will accept them with grace, and even affection. Today--she's still surprised, every time.

"You are welcome."

Beat.

"You did not answer."

X is not the right kind of grownup, apparently. Ingress may not even be surprised.

[smallestopener]

She sighs and then slurps some of her shake.

"I'm okay. I guess. I've been busy making presents."

[jack_inthegreen]

Here's a Jack, with apples.

Apples are always good for cheering!

"Hello, lovely one," he says gently.

[smallestopener]

"Hi, Jack!" she says, beaming. She likes Jack.

"I made you a picture frame." She rummages about on the table for just the one she made for him. "Look, see? It has pictures of apples and leaves and green glitter. I didn't wrap it because it's still drying."

[jack_inthegreen]

He kneels down so they're eye-level.

"It's beautiful." He hugs her. "Thank you.

"And I have these for you." It's three apples, rosy and sweet-smelling, one for each of her family. "To make you happy."

[smallestopener]

"Thanks," she says, politely, and she takes them. She has doubts that apples are going to make everyone happy. Even apples from Jack.

But maybe they will. She gives him a hug, because hugs are nice, and they do make her feel a little better.

[kitchen_maid]

[OOC: This will require massive slowtime, but Amy insisted]

"Ingress!"

Let us hope the very vigorous hug she has just received from Susan has not upset any glue pots or glitter.

Amy has brought her daughter to visit her Official Big Sister.

[smallestopener]

She hugs Amy back, so very tightly, and if any glitter spills, it will no doubt stick on some of the frames scattered about.

"Amy! Susan! I'm glad you came! Guess what? Tom and Door said I could go stay with you after Christmas. I can't wait!"

[kitchen_maid]

And if any does go wide of the frame mark, well, it simply makes things more festive.

"Yes, and we're very excited about having you come and visit," says Amy. "Aren't we, Susan?"

"Very 'cited," Susan says. "For Chris'mas."

[smallestopener]

"You're so big," she says, taking the little girls hands in her own and twirling her.

"You're getting as big as me. Isn't she, Amy?"

[nita_callahan]

There's a knock on the doorframe, and a head peeking around it.

"Anyone in?"

[smallestopener]

Ingress looks up and recognizes an old friend.

"NITA!"

There is a blur of blue and then Ingress is hugging Nita.

"Gavroche will be sad he didn't see you. He's out with his friends in the Underside, even though it's not safe right now."

Gavroche is always out in the Underside with his friends these days. Oh those teenaged wizards.

[nita_callahan]

Laughing, she squeezes back.

"Hey, kiddo! Think if I loiter around here long enough I'll catch him?"

[smallestopener]

"Maybe! Tom and Door said he needed to stay close for a little while, but he never listens. I'm glad you came to visit. Would you like some tea?"

She can totally pour some.

[bitunlikely]

Jenny's eyes are wide as she walks through the House of Arch, taking in every inch of every room and item she passes. Who'd have thought that a whole house would exist through a painting? Certainly not her.

But then she had seen Ingress' note and had been lucky enough to find Tom shortly after. Readjusting the badly wrapped pink box in her arms, her smile brightened when she saw her friend in the tea party room.

"Hello, Ingress!"

[smallestopener]

The rooms of the house exist through a series of paintings, and the House is also known as the House with No Doors, so it is no wonder that Jenny's eyes are wide and Ingress' mun is facepalming for forgetting to mention that important detail!

"Hi Jenny! I'm so glad you came. Would you like some tea?"

Ingress asked Tom especially to look for Jenny and let her in. Jenny makes Ingress smile.

Ingress needs some smiling of late!

[bitunlikely]

Jenny's mun, it seems, clearly should have grabbed her own copy of the book to refresh before tagging this thread. Either way, the Gallifreyan tends to remain wide eyed in any new place she encounters.

But she nods quickly, setting the package down on the table and taking a seat across from Ingress. "Yeah! Do you have milk and honey as well?"

[smallestopener]

"I have sugar and milk," she says, pulling over the silver tray of cream and sugar containers. "I could get you honey, if we have any."

Ingress likes playing hostess. It makes her feel more grown up.