"What did you do on your birthday?" "Got older."

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

Evening of Thursday, September 10, Day 102
Garden behind the Whitechapel Inn

My twenty-third birthday.

Dear Valmont, he is trying so very hard to make this a happy day for me! Waking with a kiss (even though I could hardly sleep last night), flowers on the breakfast table. And telling me that I should take the day off to luxuriate, which was wonderfully tempting, but I had to go back to the library. I did not want to feel that I was being kept away, for if I were, then Lysander would be winning. And I had to make sure that the library would still feel tranquil to me after yesterday - I don't want to lose that peaceful place I have found there.

When I walked in and saw the chaos that Lydia had made, I laughed until I cried. Or possibly the reverse - it was rather hard to tell at the time. And then we straightened the books up, and when I was done, I turned around to find a little book of poetry that had not been there before on the front desk, tied with a bow, and my smile came back.

And then Valmont came to walk me home, and we have kept happily busy and distracted with setting up the party. Through some unspoken pact, we have not mentioned Lysander all day. The thought of what happened yesterday still makes me feel as if I am falling...but I will not fall,and I will not let it ruin today, for today is about my new life and all of the people who belong to it. Valmont. My new friends. And...well, some of those coming are 'people' only in a rather loose sense of the term. But I would not want to risk bringing ill fortune down on myself by not inviting my people's gods! And there's Chester as well, who I suppose doesn't exactly count as a person either. Ah, Excolo guest lists. There's something comforting in that very oddness, though. People, creatures, gods - they are all part of Excolo and my new life. My new year.

The lanterns dance in the trees; the light of the setting sun glints off of the wine bottles and glasses, and I wait in the garden, feeling a little bit of peace. Let today be free of unhappiness, please! Let me be safe in the garden on my own day...

[Open to party guests]

Comments

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

By the time I have seen Eris, Valmont is already bringing her towards me. I can see her fingers snaking over his jacket, twining him closer. I swallow against the uneasiness that rises in me at the sight, pull myself taller again.

"Welcome, Kyria," I murmur. And I bow my head to her, giving the respect that she is due. No, I will not reach for Valmont's hand - although I desperately want to! - for Eris would probably think that I was making a show of possessiveness, and she would laugh. "Thank you for coming."

[erisdiscordious.livejournal.com]

I smile at Hermia's show of humility. I release Valmont and smile down upon her, finger catching her under the chin and raising her eyes to look at me.

"Happy birthday, Hermia," I say with all kindness and sincerity in my voice. My arm extends and I hold out a stone bluer than the sky on its best day, though it churns slightly. "For you. From us."

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

Hermia looks a little anxious as Eris approaches, and breaks off from her knot of friends to come and greet us. The goddess, however, is friendly, and gives her a beautiful gemstone.

"Oh, how lovely," I say, with true admiration. I put my arm around Hermia's waist and look down at the stone in her hand.

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

Eris's fingers twine towards me now, lifting my chin with a touch so gentle that it astonishes me. Dare I trust that kindness? What would happen if I asked her for help?

"Happy birthday, Hermia. For you. From us."

She gives me a jewel that fits in the hollow of my hand, the bright blue of the northern sky in winter at dusk - no, deeper than that - but with a swirl in it that almost makes it seem that the color is moving, and stirs an uneasiness deep within me. But I can still look at it with admiration, and say truthfully, "It's beautiful, Kyria. Thank you. And please pass my gratitude along to the others, as well."

I feel Valmont's arm go around my waist, and now I do not need to work so hard to keep my posture straight and my voice steady.

[erisdiscordious.livejournal.com]

"Of course," I say and feel her gratitude from here, though she is still so nervous, my little Greek. "You will let me know," I tell her with certainty. She knows what I mean. If she needs us, she will come to us. Such is the relationship with humanity. I smile and give them each a kiss, Valmont on the cheek and Hermia on the forehead then depart, skirts floating about my legs the whole way to my new home.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I watch Eris leave.

"She is unusual, isn't she?" I say softly. "I do think she likes you, my dear. That is a good thing. It could be a useful thing to have a goddess's friendship. But I still think you're right to be wary of her. Not so much because she's a god - I'm fond of Tony... Ares - but because she's frankly not quite right, somehow." I look at Hermia. "Do you suppose she was always like that, or has something happened to her?"

I smile.

"I'm sorry. A too serious question for your birthday. Here's a nicer question - would you like your birthday present now?"

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

"Of course. You will let me know."

"Yes, Kyria," I murmur, dipping my head again. And when I come up, it is to find Eris's kiss on my forehead.

Dear gods, can she hear my thoughts? I must guard them, if that is the case. Can she wear my mind as she wears my face? For some reason, that frightens me even more.

But she will help me against Lysander. May help. And even if it is not a possibility that I like to think of, having to turn to Eris, it is still a possibility.

"She is unusual, isn't she?" Valmont says quietly as Eris glides away. "I do think she likes you, my dear. That is a good thing. It could be a useful thing to have a goddess's friendship."

"I'm one of her followers," I say simply, turning the gem over in my hand. "I hope you are right that she likes me. I know she...values me," is the word I settle on, after a moment's thought. "But I am not sure how exactly she sees me." Values me as a toy? A jewel? A worshiper? Not a friend. Not like Nanshe...

"But I still think you're right to be wary of her. Not so much because she's a god - I'm fond of Tony... Ares - but because she's frankly not quite right, somehow." I look at Hermia. "Do you suppose she was always like that, or has something happened to her?"

"I don't know," I say, glancing up to meet Valmont's eyes before I turn to follow Eris for a moment with my gaze. "She has always had a reputation for being erratic. It's her nature," I say simply. The gods' natures do not change; they are eternal and constant. Even Eris's eternal changeability is constant, in its own way. "I haven't spoken to her enough to be able to tell much beyond that, but...yes, there may be something else beyond her innate chaos."

"I'm sorry. A too serious question for your birthday. Here's a nicer question - would you like your birthday present now?"

"Yes, please!" The question takes me by such surprise that I laugh, happy anticipation starting to clear away the clouds of a moment before. "Is it inside? I'll greet the last few guests while you go get it. Assuming that it's something that can be brought outside?"

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"Is it inside? I'll greet the last few guests while you go get it. Assuming that it's something that can be brought outside?"

"It can," I say mysteriously, "but please, do inform your guests that they are not to shriek over it, for the present probably wouldn't like it," I say with a grin, and leaving her with that puzzle I step inside.

In the closet in the bedroom there is a small tawny kitten (http://www.catsofaustralia.com/images/cute_baby_kitten.jpg) asleep in a cloth-lined basket. It's been a pain to keep this small thing hidden for the last couple of days. I bought him from a farmer whose cat had a litter a while back. This one is about 12 weeks old, and is a little tomcat. I had thought of getting a pretty little female kitten, but then I had the slightly horrifying thought of whether Chester might want to breed with her, and so I opted for the boy. For all I know Chester could be a gay cat, but at least there would be no progeny of a liaison...

The kitten opens a bleary eye and yawns at me, then settles back in to sleep. He has been with Fjodor, the stable boy, for the last couple of days. I think Fjodor grew quite attached to him in that time. When the kitten grows up a bit I'm sure he can hunt mice in the stables.

I do hope Hermia likes the kitten. I know she was fond of Mab's little cat.

I step outside with the basket and go back to where Hermia is standing.

"Happy birthday, darling. I thought you might enjoy having some extra company around the house."

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

Valmont heads off, and I watch him go for a moment, reluctant to feel his arm slip away from me - but then I turn back to the party, for there are still guests whom I have not greeted.

I see a new little cluster of people close by - Luke and his (I hope!) new young man, Kate and Laurence and Chester - oh my, Kate is holding Chester. I wonder if he's spoken to her...

But before I can go more than a few steps towards them, Valmont is out of the house again - and oh my goodness! I can't help the delighted cry that springs forth when I see what must be my gift. "Valmont! A kitten!" I throw my arms around him - but carefully! - and pull away swiftly to give the kitten a gentle pat on its head. "Oh, darling, thank you!"

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I grin, delighted by Hermia's response.

"Well, darling, I could get you books, but the library keeps you tolerably well stocked, and jewellery is nice enough... But I thought a kitten makes for a more cheerful gift. And you, my love, deserve many happy things." The kitten peers up from its basket and makes a soft mewwing noise at Hermia. "You'll have to think of a name for him," I say.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"She's--he's lovely," I say, coming up to take a look and correcting myself as I catch the tail-end of Valmont's words. Consider a moment, and then carefully hold one hand towards the basket, fingertips close enough to sniff at and not so close I can't pull back before frightening him.

(Rather like cats, honestly. Always seemed sensible animals. And curious. And warm, which is pleasant.)

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

"Well, darling, I could get you books, but the library keeps you tolerably well stocked, and jewellery is nice enough... But I thought a kitten makes for a more cheerful gift. And you, my love, deserve many happy things."

"Thank you," I say again, a little more softly. I go up on tiptoes to give Valmont a kiss - which is interrupted by a tiny mew from the kitten, which brings up another bright laugh.

"You'll have to think of a name for him."

"Well, I'll have to see some more of what he's like. Besides talkative, that is! And then I'll see what kind of name suits him."

"She's--he's lovely."

I grin up at Glass. "Isn't he?" I look back, watching the kitten sniff curiously at her fingertips. He pokes his little nose out, drawing another giddy little laugh from me.

I reach into the basket, lifting the kitten gently in both hands. He's still peeking out over my fingers, trying to keep looking at Glass, as if he's wondering why her hands have suddenly turned into mine. "I won't be able to make proper introductions if he doesn't have a name, but I should at least take him around to meet everyone. And there are a few guests I haven't had the chance to speak to yet and really ought to - oh, look, he's purring!"

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Hermia starts walking around with a little kitten in her arms. She and Valmont must really be cat lovers.

"Happy birthday," I say with a smile. "I have a gift for you, but I see you have your hands full."

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

I smile when Kate greets Hermia and give her a nod.

"Happy birthday," I echo and smile at the kitten, which I hope doesn't talk.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"Ah, Kate, let me take that off you," I say, smiling easily. Kate and Brother Laurence do still make a slightly amusing pair, her so petite and careful and friendly, him so tall and evidently shy in company, but I am glad after that conversation I had with Laurence several weeks back that things seem to have worked out for them. Although it's difficult to tell with Kate; she might be friendly (in general; I think I irk her), but she doesn't give much away.

"They're lemon cookies," she says to Hermia. I take the jar from her and tuck it in the crook of my arm.

"I'm sure they'll be lovely," I say. I smile at Laurence. "I hope you're both well. How's the smithy, Laurence? And I haven't seen you out preaching the Good Word of late - have you given us up as a lost cause?" I grin teasingly.

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

"Kate, Laurence - thank you for coming! And Chester, it's good to see you too." No more than that to Chester, not until I am certain about who knows what concerning him. Although from the uneasy looks that Laurence is angling his way, I have a feeling that Chester has been talking...

"Happy birthday," I say with a smile. "I have a gift for you, but I see you have your hands full."

"Happy birthday."

"Thank you - er, yes, I do seem to run out of hands rather quickly tonight! This is Valmont's present to me!" I hold up the kitten, showing him off with a grin. "He hasn't got a name yet -

"Ah, Kate, let me take that off you."

" - oh, thank you, dear," I say, as Valmont reaches out to take the jar. "Oh my, I can smell them from here - they're going to be delicious!"

"I hope you're both well. How's the smithy, Laurence? And I haven't seen you out preaching the Good Word of late - have you given us up as a lost cause?"

I shoot Valmont a slightly queasy look. Oh, I know he's just trying to make conversation, but doesn't it occur to him that it might be a bit impolitic to mention Laurence's...aggressive monotheism, when there is an actual goddess in the garden?

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

We are interrupted by Hermia's glad cry. Apparently She's been given a kitten. Kate an Laurence go over to say hello and admire the kitten. I give myself a quick grooming and then head over.

It's male and tawny coloured. He's looking around him with curiosity and I bet that very soon he;s gonna wanna come down here an explore. I come threading my way through the small crowd around Hermia an the kitten stop near Hermia's feet and give a chirrup to the kitten. then I look up and Say, "Hey, Happy birthday Kiddo. You mind lettin' me greet your new friend properly?"

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I do think Mr Laclos is improved in himself, although he does speak of Laurence's preaching quite lightly. Hermia does not approve, I think, because she gives him a little look.

And then Chester is coming over and wishing her happy birthday. It seems like this is not the first time he's spoken to Hermia. What sort of town is it where it's normal to be visited by talking cats? One where gods walk the night and you pretended to be the sheriff, I tell myself. There are definitely stranger things in Excolo than Chester out there.

[lysander-vassos.livejournal.com]

Though the view is mostly blocked, from my apartment I could see the bustle of people going to and fro from Valmonts garden, and then as the sun set and the lights came on, my suspicions were confirmed. A party. Of course I did remember it was her birthday, though at the rate my search was going I hadn’t dared to hope I would have found her by that time. And lucky her, because I am such a nice guy I brought a present for her too. Something of her mothers that she left behind or forgot in her haste. A cameo in her mothers image, which I had secretly removed from her things and sent off to be cleaned and repaired as a gift. How wonderful was that reminder when it came back and she was gone.

Her squeal of delight fills the yard as I step through the gate, making it easy to locate her among the rest of the peasants she’s apparently taken as friends. Looking around at the guests, it’s no small wonder she doesn’t wish to return home. After shaming her self as she has with this lot, I wouldn’t want to show my face back home either. She’ll get over it I’m sure.

As I approach, she draws a kitten from the basket with a wide smile showing it off to the people around her and of course that wretch Valmont is by her side smiling away as well. No matter, I ignore the rest of the group, as if their even worthy of my attention, and give her a pleasant smile. Pulling out the small box containing her gift, I deposit it in the basket at her arm as I bend and give her a light kiss on her cheek. “Happy Birthday, my love,” I chuckle, “What? You didn’t think I had forgotten?” I ask with another smile and tilt of my head.

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Happy birthday Kiddo. You mind lettin' me greet your new friend properly?"

Chester's familiar voice comes rasping up from near my ankles - well, that answers that question! - and I laugh softly. "Thank you." The kitten is already squirming in my hands - Chester seems more interesting to him than Glass's hands, now. I wonder what other cats see, when they look at Chester....

I start to bend down to show Chester the kitten. "I hope that you two will get along..."

And then I feel a little weight drop into the basket on my arm, and a kiss on my cheek. For a moment that kiss feels entirely natural, for I have felt it countless times before - just not for a very long time. And then the voice comes, and something twists inside me.

“Happy Birthday, my love,” I chuckle, “What? You didn’t think I had forgotten?”

"Lysander," I whisper. I hold the kitten close against me, fingers curling around the soft little thing to shield it. "Get out." I pull myself up straighter, and say it again, stronger this time. "Get out."

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

When the man walked past me and into the garden, he'd caught my eye. I should know everyone at this party. By sight, at the very least. Having already been moving toward the group of people clustered around Hermia and the kitten, I continued, so that once he was closer to her I was behind him.

I was ready to grab him when he kissed her, and drag him out of here and away from my friend but then she answers him strongly. Instead I take a step back but catch her eye and nod. Hermia's come a long way from the girl who ran from this idiot, and she deserves the chance to show him that woman who has a mind of her own. I'll be here if she needs me, but I'll let her stand on her own.

Besides, I think Valmont just really wants to deck him, and I can begrudge him that.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Was trailing slow after Hermia and Valmont, and smiling to see them in the evening's golden light, when a man I don't know comes past me and drops a gift in her basket and a kiss on her cheek. Not knowing who he is doesn't startle me; truth t'tell, I'd not even met Alessandra before the reception, and I don't think Hermia'd met Iago. And him bending to kiss her leaves me curious, but it's not until she goes taut and cold that I begin to feel my nerves on edge.

"Get out." And at her voice my teeth start setting into the Shuck's smile. Didn't I have this in Wanda's garden? And why is't that parties in Excolo which ought be perfectly fine affairs keep attracting folk so clear unwelcome to the person the party's for?

Step up and 'round and end up near Mab, who's taken a step away and's watching Hermia. Guessing her for knowing a little more of the matter than I do, if she's not helping the man out the garden already.

Well, then. Whoever he is, I'm sure he's not Hades, which'd be about the worst I could see happening. And the look on Valmont's face's reminding me I brought staunchweed. Though frankly I'm ill-inclined to use it for anyone who's so clearly unwelcome.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

It is lovely, watching Hermia smile and hold out the kitten for everyone to inspect. I turn around to put down Kate's gift - it will be safe enough on the bench until I can take it inside - and when I step back only a moment later Lysander is at Hermia's shoulder. He touches his lips to her cheek and my hand automatically flies to my jacket. Mab steps forward as if about to seize him, but then Hermia says, colder than I have ever heard her:

"Get out."

Oh, that's my girl. My back straightens, and I step forward. Smoothly I take the kitten in its basket and hand it to Kate O'Hara, and I look at Hermia's former husband. Standing together we are not dissimilar - of a similar height, and both with dark hair and a cultivated appearance - and whilst I know I have probably been as vain as Lysander in the past, I hope to what gods there are that I am not as arrogant or as unkind.

"You heard her," I say coolly. "This is an invitation-only party. Please leave, or do I need to ask the sheriff to see you out?"

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Hermia's cry of delight gets us all to turn around, and I grin and clap my hands together.
"Ohhhhhh kitty!" I breathe, happy that something so tiny can bring such happiness. Glass floats over to inspect the darling thing, and I would too, but there are still arms around my waist.
"Funny, I took you for more of a dog person." Lucien whispers dryly in my ear, and my only response to that is to jam my heel into his foot as lady-like as possible. At least he laughs at my indignation as he releases me. "Oh, go jump in the river!" I toss back over my shoulder with a wink as I head over to see the little ball of fluff.

As I cross the yard, another man enters and walks right up to Hermia, kissing her on the cheek. Suddenly, half the party tenses and is it me or did the temperature drop?

Come to stand along side Glass when Hermia tells the man under no uncertain terms to leave. Valmont is a bit more politic, but it is clear this guest is not welcome.

I see the night just got a HELL of a lot more interesting. My hand suddenly itches for a crop or whip in the worse way, and some small, dark, part of me is hoping for some bloodshed....

[bakeneko-excolo.livejournal.com]

As I near the group of people around the small one, there is a sudden tensing at the newest guest. "Get out!"

I see Hermia's beau hand off the kitten to Miss Kate and I slowly slide in between her (and the small one) and the growing aggression, nodding at her gentleman. I do not believe I ever caught his name.