Seven Candles

Writers: AL, Chelle, Jelena, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 17th December 2012

Characters: Jylanya, Milga, Naton, Irabel, Veerona
Description: Veerona gains another turn
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 9, day 8 of Turn 6

Jylanya

Jylanya hurried to put all the final touches on the room decorations.
The cake was ready as were all the little treats for the children. She'd
prepared Veerona's favorite meal and even conspired with Milga to get
the girl out of the Hall for a couple of candlemarks while she got
everything ready. She wanted this party to be something special for her foster daughter.
Vee had been blossoming into such a charming girl, Jylanya couldn't help
but hum as she hung the last of the bunting. Then she heard the first
knock.

The first to arrive, of course, was Naton. He had a wide, eager grin on
his face, even if the dark rings around his eyes betrayed his long
nights. His project was coming along nicely, though, and he wouldn't
miss this party for the world. "Hello beautiful," he grinned as he planted
a big kiss on Jylanya's cheek. "Got everything ready?"

"Just about," she smiled happily. Then turned to greet the next arrival.

Irabel was not far behind. She came through the door just after Naton
and gave a small wave. "Where's the birthday girl?"

Veerona was walking along the corridor, holding Milga's hand as they
came back from a sand castle expedition. It was fun having a grown up girl
for a friend. She liked being taken places. "Hey Milga, did you know it's my
birthingday?"

"Really? You kidding me?" Milga pretended surprise and tried very hard
not to laugh. Like she hadn't conspired with Jylanya.

"Nuh uh. Come on. Maybe Lany made us some cakes or something." Vee
pushed forward to open the door to their quarters, dragging Milga with
her only to see everyone in there waiting. "Ohh..."

Jylanya had heard the voices approaching. Milga had been talking
loudly as they'd arranged. "Surprise!" she yelled when her little girl
came through the door with her friend.

Naton joined in on the "Surprise" chorus and grinned to himself as he
saw the surprise on the girl's face. The young girl had gone through
so much from what he had heard and she deserved the best birthingday
ever. He hoped his gift could contribute to that a little.

"Happy Birthday!" Milga grinned and winked.

She had inched slightly closer to Milga while processing just what she
thought about this. When she realized what was going on, she smiled
shyly. "I didn't know about a party."

"That's why it's called a surprise party," Milga said and actually
gave the little girl a kiss on a cheek before giving her modest little
gift. She couldn't afford much, just a few pretty hair ribbons.

Irabel hung back. She had a gift for Veerona, but she was going to
wait and give it to her later. She ambled over to get some cake and
waited for others to give their well wishes and gifts.

Jylanya smiled at Milga. "Thank you," she said and winked. "I have
made your favorite cake Vee," she nodded. "And we've more presents."
She stepped back to reveal the table where people had put their
packages.

Taking Milga's gift and opening it quickly, she smiled at sight of the
new ribbons. "Thank you Milga!" Handing them carefully to Jylanya for
putting away safely, she walked over to the table. "Cake or presents first?"
Indecisive, she looked from one to the other.

"I vote for cake, personally." Irabel suggested with a wink. "Otherwise
people might go mad with hunger and start eating the presents."

"Oh no!" Running toward the cake, she knew there were supposed to be
candles. When they were lit, Vee made a big show of blowing them out then turned
to the presents, tearing them apart quickly in her haste.

Naton grinned to himself at Veerona's eagerness. She was such an
amusing, sweet child. When she picked up his package, he held his
breath. He wondered how she would react to the swimming goggles he had
gotten her. They were in fact his old goggles, but he had worked on
them hard enough to have them appear almost brand new.

Irabel waited for all the presents to be open. She had one for Veerona
as well, but she wanted to wait and give it to her last. She fingered the small
box and smiled at the delight on the child's face.

When it came time for the goggles, she didn't understand what they
were at first. Then she remembered seeing something similar on Irabel and she held
them up. "Bel, see what I got?"

Jylanya grinned at Naton, She was tickled that his present had gone
over so well. She pulled another bundle from the table and handed it
to Vee. "This one's from me sweetheart."

Irabel gave Vee a grin and coupled it with a thumbs up. When Jylanya
presented her gift, she leaned forward a little, curious to see what
it was.

Naton grinned happily, seeing the girl's enthusiasm. Hopefully she
would dive into her swimming lessons with even more enthusiasm now.
Like everyone else, he was curious to see what Jylanya had gotten her
fosterchild.

She looked at Jylanya for a minute, then opened the package, taking care
with it. When she saw what it was, her eyes lit for a bit. "Thanks Lany." Then
she placed it with the other opened gifts before looking to see what was left. So many
neat things.

Milga was starting to feel hungry and when no one was looking, snatched
a sweetroll. She was hungry all the time, maybe she was having a growth
spurt again. She was glad Veerona was a having a great birthday.

Irabel pulled a small package out of the bag that hung on her belt and
held it out for Veerona to take. "Happy birthday, Vee." She hoped the
child liked it - and if she didn't, well, Bel thought she'd just have to
find something that Veerona_did_ like.

Leaning to get the package, Vee got it in hand then looked at it.
It was awful small. Opening it up, she almost dropped the small gift. Holding
it in her hand, she recognized how pretty it was. "Ohh a shiney... Bel, how
do I?" She was trying to grab it with her small hands and it wasn't working.
She'd probably break it soon.

Jylanya had put her arm around Milga and whispered that she had a
special plate of her favorite bubbly pies and pointed to a small plate
on the back of the table. But her eyes opened wide and she smiled at
Irabel in wonder when she saw the necklace. That was some gift for a
child! Of course she hadn't the heart to make Vee put it away for the
moment but she made a private promise to herself to make certain it
was kept safe until she was a bit older. "Beautiful," she nodded to
Irabel.

"That is very pretty, Veerona," Naton smiled. "Be careful with it!" he
said as he stepped aside for Irabel to do the honors of helping
Veerona put it on.

"Gently Vee, you don't want to break it." Irabel stooped down to help
the child open the clasp then place it around her neck. "Look, it opens.
See? You can have a tiny picture put into it."

"Oh," she looked at it and the back at the adults. "How do I get a
picture?" She could color one, but she didn't think that was going to be
special or fit into the tiny thing.

Irabel laughed. "Don't worry Vee, that's part of the present. You tell
me what you want to put in there, and I'll get a harper to paint a
miniature for you."

"I'll have to think about it," she declared firmly. Looking around, she
realized the presents had been opened so of course she wanted to eat more
cake. It was her birthingday, so why not?

Last updated on the January 21st 2013

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Seven Candles