[ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

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Cordelia
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Location: Clogwyn Keep, the Highlands of Fenia

[ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Cordelia »

Come help us celebrate a beloved character's first ever birthday party! All friends and family welcomed.

Date: June 25th, 1662
Location: Redcroft Manor, outside of Fenia City


The day had come: the eighteenth birthday of her baby sister.

It had alarmed her greatly when she learned from Aileigh that Elisa had never once celebrated her birthday. In fact, Elisa was not entirely sure when her birthday was prior to finding her true identity. While the information had been given, no obvious plans were made. Instead, Cordelia worked with Elisa's best friend to put together the perfect birthday party... A surprise birthday. Her first birthday party. And it was a big day at that! The baby Elisabeth she had once known was now a beautiful young woman. Cordelia was proud of the woman Elisa had become, despite the circumstances of her abduction and neglectful childhood.

The party would be at Redcroft, with the permission of her cousin. Streamers and banners were string up in the garden where Thea and Aileigh's wedding took place. Tables were set up and soon, food and drinks filled them. Staff bustled about to make things to Cordelia's vision. She wanted things to be perfect. Elisa deserved for it to be perfect. By noon, Redcroft had been transformed into the perfect party setting. Soon, Aileigh would be bringing Elisa and Anno over to Redcroft for a "visit".

In the meantime, Cordelia went to the guest room her, Rhozin, and Winter were staying in. (Winter had grown fussy at night and the new parents gave into having their little redhead sleeping in the bed , between them.) The changed her outfit from the simply gown she had been dictating in to something more festive. Yellow silk clung to her arms and chest before spilling out from her hips. A laced pattern was sewn into the tops of her sheer sleeves, across her chest, and down the front of her corset. It reappeared at the edge of the dress, which touched the ground and concealed her matching yellow slippers. Her hair was partially pulled back, soft curls cascading down her back with a tiara sat atop. The piece was a personal favourite because it made her thing of both wild nature and the stag. Besides, it made her seem taller by adding an extra two inches. Yellow gems and pearls brightened the darker gold metal, matching the colours of her gown. A string of pearls laid across her chest, with teardrops of the yellow gems hanging from each ear. All in all, she felt very summery... Perfect for a June party.

She picked up the wrapped gift sat on the dresser and headed back downstairs. She was in search of her husband and daughter, as well as her cousin who was wandering around somewhere.
Viscountess Cordelia Zabel (Winterbourne) Everhart-Gellygen of the Highlands, the Horned Wolf
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Big Sister to Elisabeth “Elisa” | Cousin to High King Zuan, Thea, & more
Married to Rhozin Gellygen of Kiene | Mother of Winter Pearle and Keir
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Thea
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Thea »

Asking Thea to have a party at her house would have resulted in a resounding 'no' to almost anyone who asked her. The one exception was probably Cordelia who had a way of persuading her prickly Winterbourne cousin to budge on things she initially protested.

That was how she ended at Redcroft for the weekend. Servants going to and fro between the house and the gardens to make the final preparations for the party. Thea had taken to hiding in the conservatory where nobody would pester her. Aileigh had gone to retrieve the guest of honor which left Thea solely in charge of their three infant children. Or more accurately, she delegated that take to the nannies who were always on standby.

She looked up from the plant she has been fidgeting with when she heard another enter the room behind her. She turned around and offered her cousin a friendly half-smile.

"Hello, Cordelia. Have you gotten everything in order?"
Dorathea "Thea" Sanchari Winterbourne | Lady of Redcroft Manor | The Red Wolf
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Cousin of the Winterbournes | Mother of Zevander, Corabel, Elodie, & Lenora | Wife of Aileigh
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Cordelia
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Cordelia »

After not finding anyone immediately, she headed towards the one place she knew her cousin would have found refuge. The conservatory had become a quiet safe haven for Thea, for which Cordelia was grateful. Her cousin needed a place to go for peace of mind, especially with children and a social butterfly for a wife. And sure enough, that was where she found the young woman.

Cordelia smiled upon seeing Thea. She had not seen her at all that morning because she was busy and Thea was avoiding the party setup. She was alright with Thea’s step back because ultimately, Cordelia was obsessing over even the smallest detail. She would drive Thea up the wall, without a single doubt. Her cheerful energy was evident as she finished her approach. She did not give a hug, which was a bit unusual for her, but she was grateful for Thea letting them use the manor to host the party… Despite the fact the lady would much prefer silent corridors. So, she withheld her hug in attempt to minimize Thea’s discomfort.

“Everything is done!” Her exclamation came with a satisfied grin. “I should think they’ll be here soon, so I wanted to gather you and the others.” (The others being Alice and Rhozin, who were floating around somewhere.)

“How do I look? Are you dressed and ready?” Her question was not meant to be offensive towards her cousin’s current appearance. “I need to find Rhozin; have you seen him?”
Viscountess Cordelia Zabel (Winterbourne) Everhart-Gellygen of the Highlands, the Horned Wolf
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Big Sister to Elisabeth “Elisa” | Cousin to High King Zuan, Thea, & more
Married to Rhozin Gellygen of Kiene | Mother of Winter Pearle and Keir
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Thea
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Thea »

"Good."

Thea responded simply. As she had been involved in none of the planning or set-up she would have to take the word of her cousin.

"Just how many do you have coming?"

The question was cautious. Half-afraid that her cousin might answer a couple dozen people would be descending on her house. Thea was not sure that she could have handled that even when she felt her best — and today was not a day she felt great.

"You look great."

She answered before looking down at her plain dress. It was nothing special. In fact it was something she would have worn may regular day of the week.

"Should I get changed?"

She shook her head at the next question.

"No. I have not seen him."
Dorathea "Thea" Sanchari Winterbourne | Lady of Redcroft Manor | The Red Wolf
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Cousin of the Winterbournes | Mother of Zevander, Corabel, Elodie, & Lenora | Wife of Aileigh
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Elisa
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Elisa »

Time seemed to move slower when you are waiting, but eventually the carriage they had been waiting for arrived. Aileigh had come to pick up Anno and herself to visit Aileight’s place, her sister was there as well so they’d have a little get together. Elisa wasn’t suspicious of this reason at all. Perhaps it would have made more sense for her friend to just send the ride and not travel back and forth herself. Not being a very distrusting person Elisa hadn’t really realised this, and even if she did she might not have given it much thought.

It would also be good to see her cousin as well. Elisa was still figuring out the exact difference between family and friends. The friends she met in tavern had taken her in and looked out for her, like a family, making the distinction perhaps a bit fuzzy. Her family had welcomed her in, but because it was still a quite recent discovery she hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time with all of them. So despite Elisa having the idea family must be something special, like she saw with her sister: how fond she was of them. Elisa still felt closer to most of her friends, which she sometimes felt guilty about as it made her feel like she was clearly doing something wrong. Today might give the opportunity to work on at least one of those relations. Of course it wasn’t very realistic to expect to build an as close relationship with people you knew for sometimes even less than a year as it would be knowing them your whole life. But Elisa’s thoughts just weren’t always the most reasonable in this regard.

With the three of them talking, the ride was passing in no time. Aileigh had been acting a bit more strange as they got closer to her home, but she must just be excited to be back home with her babies Elisa thought. It wasn’t long after that her friend guided them into the house.
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Cordelia
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Cordelia »

When asked how many would be attending the little birthday party, she was genuinely unsure.

"I supposed we'll see. I do not expect too many; you know me, overachiever." She said sheepishly. Following that, Cordelia felt a bit of relief from her cousin's approval. Granted, she doubted Thea cared too much about how she looked, but she knew if she looked bad, at least her cousin would say something. Upon Thea's realization of her own attire, Cordelia laughed. The young woman was not one for dressing up, but Cordelia gave a slight nod. "Perhaps something a bit nicer. Nothing fancy."

Before she moved on from the conservatory, she took another look at her cousin. She looked tired, perhaps even unwell. Thea seemed well enough the night before. She furrowed her brow, the party cheerfulness subsiding for the moment. "If you're feeling unwell... You don't have to stay at the party. I'm sure Elisa would appreciate a hello, but you can keep to yourself if you'd like... I'm sure Aileigh would understand."

She had hardly finished the offer when she heard the proud voice of her husband behind her, "The gift has arrived and it is beautiful!"

The viscountess turned around to find Rhozin standing in the doorway of the conservatory, Winter in his arms. The little redhead blew bubbles excitedly at seeing her mother, reaching out in desire to switch parents. Their daughter was only five months and finding her own ways of communicating already. She was very attached to Cordelia, who was much the same to her firstborn. She traded Rhozin child for the small wrapped box she had.

"I'm glad it's arrived safely. Hopefully Elisa loves it as much as you do. Will you go put that one at the table setup in the garden? I'll be out shortly." It then dawned on Rhozin that he perhaps interrupted something. He nodded with a "happily" and went on his merry way. Cordelia kissed the head of her daughter before looking back at Thea, expecting a delayed answer to her offer.
Viscountess Cordelia Zabel (Winterbourne) Everhart-Gellygen of the Highlands, the Horned Wolf
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Big Sister to Elisabeth “Elisa” | Cousin to High King Zuan, Thea, & more
Married to Rhozin Gellygen of Kiene | Mother of Winter Pearle and Keir
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Aileigh
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Aileigh »

Aileigh had woken up early from the twins’ fussing. They were only three months old, but she had grown incredibly attached to them. They seemed to feel the same. She had found they all slept best together and despite the nanny’s protest, the twins laid beside their birth mother at night, nearly every night now. The day’s fussing started with Corabel and traveled to Elodie. Groggily, she sat up and soon everyone settled down. She had gotten used to feeding them at the same time, taking advantage of their petiteness while she could. Of course, the nanny was capable of doing the job, but Aileigh insisted. Maybe not every meal, but most meals she did so.

Being a new mother was hard for the princess. Soon, she found herself asleep with each babe cradled in her arms, surrounded by pillows and blankets. The three of them drifted off together and it wasn’t until the door creaked open did she stir again. She blinked a few times, lifting her head up from the cushioned backboard of the bed. A maid stood there with a tray of tea and sat it down, before curtsying and excusing herself. The day before, she had requested with the steward to be awoken by a certain time and it seemed that time had come.

It took a lot of effort to wiggle out of the trap of babies and pillows. In the end, both babes still slept in the warmth of the bed she was laying and she had a cup of tea in her hands. Success! She closed her eyes with a happy sigh as she blew on the steaming tea.

By the time the girls woke, Aileigh was already fully dressed and ready for the day. A saree of pink silk and soft fabric was completed with a set of nice earrings and necklace. Her black locks hung down her back, each side pinned back with a simple gold pin. It would keep her hair further away from the grabby hands of her children. She got the girls changed and put them in cute outfits she had picked out for the day: little yellow dresses with pink flowers. With the twins being fraternal, she enjoyed dressing them alike. It did not add any confusion as to who was who, which she knew from personal family experience could be challenging.

The rest of the morning hours were spent with Cordelia, Rhozin, Alice, and Winter, Thea joining them for breakfast. She noticed her wife did not seem to touch much, but she shrugged it off. Soon, she was off in a carriage to get Elisa and Anno. She had set up the story well:
Aileigh went to see the King that morning regarding something or another (Elisa didn’t ask), which was why she was so nicely dressed. Elisa was coming over to visit her sister and mother while innocently they came to town to meet the twins.

She was confident Elisa had no clue she was about to have her first birthday party in memory. She had been very excited the moment Cordelia spoke of the plan and the two began to conspire together on how to make today the best day for Elisa.

When the carriage stopped, she followed them out and grinned. She took her best friend’s arm and began to lead her into the house.

“I hear them out back,” She said, using her enhanced heating as an excuse to direct her straight through the manorhome.



If you are a friend or family to Elisa, now is a great time to hop in! Come wait with us in the garden to surprise her!
Aileigh Mae Maarah Sanchari Winterbourne | Seer of BDR | Viscountess of Ettinford
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Wife to Thea | Mother of Zevander, Corabel, Elodie, Lenora, Ezra, & Imogen
Daughter of Aishe & Akos
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Elisa
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Elisa »

As Aileigh grabbed her arm and guided her in the house Elisa looked back to make sure Anno was following them. She wouldn’t like for her boyfriend to get lost the first minute they arrived. She was guided through the house towards the garden, as least that’s what she assumed since Aileigh said the rest was sitting in the garden. Perhaps they had agreed they’d wait there, it was nice weather today after all. Or Aileigh knew by some special ability, Elisa had long learned that magic or special creature abilities could do great things so why not know where people are. It was Aileigh’s house as well, so she’d know best where to go.

Arriving at the garden Elisa stopped in her tracks for a moment, surprised by what she saw. The garden was all decorated, full with carpets, pillows and other seats. It was filled with colour and even more surprisingly, more people then she was expecting. Confused she looked at Aileigh
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Dwayberry
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Dwayberry »

Attend birthday party at some nobel residency outside Fenia City, then check on her property inside Fenia City. Do not, at any circumstance, stop at the town hall of Fenia City, not even to check if her initials were still there. Just go straight home after.

"Damn long way," Dwayberry muttered. "For the gods' sake, Elisa, why can't you just have your birthday party in Widu? That's where you live."

"Almost there, mom," Patience smiled and squeezed her mother's hand. The girl, appearing as a teenager for the occasion, was very excited about the prospect of a party. Dwayberry had promised to take her to a party of the Fenian royal family ever since she and her brother had to stay home while she attended a garden party all by herself. This party would be rather different, but Elisa was a member of the royal family, so it counted.

Dwayberry was, to be honest, rather pleased to take the girl with her. They could remind each other to behave normally, whatever that meant.
Despite her annoyed muttering, the travelling hadn't been the hardest part. It was the gift. What do you give a person who has a bunch of very wealthy family members and probably already has everything they could possibly desire in terms of material things?

She had remembered her visit to Elisa's little cottage, before she had found out the truth about her family. That time she had brought Elisa a pretty, though rather boring table cloth and had vowed to bring a book next time. So, the only difficulty was what kind of book would make for an appropriate gift. On the anatomy of humans? Interesting, useful, practical, but she didn't want to embarrass Elisa in front of all those royal and noble types. Tasty, toxic, trance-inducing: Recognise your mushrooms, definitely interesting, but it didn't seem to be something Elisa would be interested in.
Giving it a long - several days, in fact - thought, Dwayberry had eventually settled on Modern women's fashion, How to not kill your husband: Become a great cook and a Fenian poetry book containing easy to understand verses about mythical creatures living in and around Lake Fenia. Three books, should be enough to keep Elisa occupied until her next birthday, Dwayberry figured.

When Redcroft Manor came into view, Dwayberry stopped Patience. "Remember the rules we discussed?"

"Of course," an eyeroll, "No shadow magic, no consuming things humans consider to be inedible, no talking to strange young men. Do you remember the rules?"

"No stopping by the town hall after, no placing orders for clothes or shoes."

"And?"

Dwayberry sighed. "The birthday cake is for everybody. Alright, let's go see if we can find some familiar faces at this party."
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Nikola
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Re: [ORP] Turning 18: The first birthday party EVER for Elisa Everhart

Post by Nikola »

Nikola knew Elisa as a young, inquisitive girl with a pleasant nature that she enjoyed being around the few times she had been in company with the lass. She had been hesitant about attending the birthday party, but as Iris had insisted, it was good to get out and about occasionally instead of staying cooped up with just her books and her memories to keep her company. She did not know the girl well, but when she had seen the shawl, she had picture Elisa wearing it and it looked perfect in her mind's eye. So she had purchased it, folded it into a blue box and tied the gift box with a beautiful white bow. She hoped the girl would like it as it should go with most anything she chose to wear.

She chose to arrive via carriage rather than by horse and Ben pulled up just as Nikola spotted Aileigh dragging Elisa into the house. She decided to wait a moment before dismounting from the carriage, straightening her skirts before lifting the package and smiling up at Ben.
"Relax and enjoy yourself as you can," she told him and headed to the house. A knock on the door brought a servant to open it and escort Nikola to the back garden where Elisa stood, seemingly in shock, amid a myriad of colours, pillows, carpets, and people. Nikola smiled, happy to know that the surprise had, indeed, been a surprise. She handed her gift to the servant to be placed with the others and slid into the group of people, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.
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