RP:Emilia’s Baby Shower
Greetings!
Come help us celebrate having twins on November 29th at our home in Venturil, Snazzy Swine Acres. ‘Tis a surprise party for Emilia, so mum’s the word. There will be plenty of food, drinks and games. Gifts appreciated, but not needed, just bring yourselves. We hope to see you there.
Warmest wishes,
Irenic
There is a small crude map of Venturil inside the envelope with basic directions from the main road to their farm.
Snazzy Swine Acres
Among the breathtaking rolling plains of Venturil is the location of an impressive farm belonging to the Older-Letier family complete with a sizable farmhouse for all their children, a barn for their lovely animals, a gazebo for parties, a guest house for visitors and a ring of fire for late night hangouts made perfect with s’mores. Other than acres upon acres of crops, this farm is a little unique for the simple fact that the pigs are usually dressed in different colored tutus, the cows have long hair braided with flowers or flower crowns and chickens have tiny toy arms dangling off of them. It’s obvious that this family has a fun and carefree time on their farm while loving all of their animals. The inviting home opens up on the first story with a flowing open floor plan between the kitchen, dining room and family room which gives a sense of freedom coupled with the partial cathedral ceilings that have skylights pouring refreshing light into the space. One of the best features, according to the girl of Emilia’s triplets, would be the study turned into a small library with an added sunroom where you will more than likely find Lynn and Irenic reading away in comfortable silence. Anyone might feel relaxed and right at home here, but more so once they exit any of the four doors to the outside, they find themselves on a cozy wrap around covered porch where you can see for miles and easily watch the sunrise or sunset in one of the many comfortable wicker pieces of furniture. This family has carved out a little slice of paradise, that’s for sure.
Irenic | Edith had successfully talked Emilia into getting out of the House of Ara in Larket and going back home to Venturil under the guise that one of the pigs is giving birth, never mind the fact that Oinkers is a boy. The sly woman even convinced the very pregnant with twins Emilia to change her dress into an appropriate party dress due to her ever growing baby bump! The triplets are all pitching in to help out to make the festivities go smoothly with Lynn decorating the gazebo and setting the tables in the color scheme of the party being maroon with coral. Leo is at the gift and game table to guard anyone’s guesses of the two foot tall baby bottle filled with blueberries, but also to set up the whipped cream with food coloring and makeshift dolls for one of today’s games. Liam, as charming as ever, is helping people as they arrive and directing them to Leo so they may drop off their gifts before instructing everyone to get cozy in the gazebo. Lynn set out finger sandwiches, drinks and snacks that she helped Edith make earlier in the day. Irenic has yet to make an appearance, but in usual father fashion, he will show up later in the party. Liam is also the lookout for Emilia to arrive, periodically flying up to the roof and gliding back down. The final time, he shushes all the guests and motions everyone to gather. Leo and Lynn stop what they are doing to quickly join the rest just as Edith bursts out the back door with Emilia in tow. “Surprise!!” Everyone says, sans Lynn, with big smiles on their faces. Edith may be the loudest and proudest of the bunch as she motions to the gathering of Emilia’s closest friends and the table of gifts from everyone, including those who couldn’t make it this balmy fall day.
Thamalys was doing his very best to avoid knocking over the many things around him - and, to maintain a safe distance from Lynn as well. “Surprise!” bellowed the Blue, joining in the others as the Wintry Lady came into the picture, a rare, almost (almost…) cheerful grin painted on his face. Dressed in the closest thing to a party dress he could find (a plain shirt and leather trousers, with notable absence of any armour or indeed weapons) the Winged Beast strode forward, arms wide open almost as to encircle the entire scene. “Sister, you look even better than the last time I saw you… come come, these little bees” and with that he would have canted his big head towards the triplets, “have been rather busy as you can see. How are you feeling?” inquired the Spellblade, for once showing some sort of consideration. Few could have told, but he was as happy as a grumpy old Avian could be - no gaping wounds to heal, no bloodthirsty opponents to cut down… that was a day to remember!
Penelope came just in time with a gift basket in her hands. Instead of stuff for the babies, Nel decides that it is best to create a gift basket with pampered products for the mom herself. Emilia. Jars of lavender, face scrubs, cucumbers—all the works, really. There might have even been some chocolates in there. The basket is wrapped in a maroon bow to fit the theme of the party. Thank goodness she had asked prior to. The woman is dressed in a simple, flowy; deep green dress. Nothing too fancy. As Emilia comes into the door, the woman synchronizes with the rest of them, “Surprise!” the woman throws her petite arms up. “Oh, she is so beautiful.” The Ardelian hums before moving towards the rest of them. “She’s probably ready to be done,” she makes a light joke. If it was Nel, she would want the babies out pronto. “You’re glowing, Em.”
Emilia had been at Ara within Larket getting affairs together with the new changes before the arrival of the twins when Edith arrived with desperate news that Oinkers was going into labor and the need for the Genasi to return to the farm in Venturil. A slip of the tongue on Edith's part in excitement for the event being prepared at the home and a pregnant brain of the healer accepting the emergency animal labor without a second thought or common sense that Oinkers was a male pig unable to give birth. Prior to leaving the healer changed into a deep blue cotton down that was longer in the back and shorter in the front, most likely due to the bump, with the hem an intricate lace that matched the sleeves which hung off the shoulders of the woman. The deep color of the fabric complementing both her snowy white complexion and her icy-blue eyes. As the trip finally came to an end it was with steps as fast as her short legs could move the pregnant woman waddle her way up the path that led to the family home. White curls a bouncing dance behind her speedy waddling entrance that only changed when Lynn pointed her toward the gazebo toward the heart of the party from the main home. “Oinkers?! Just keep breathing little piggy of mine!” she called out to the family pet in front of the shower guests as she made an odd entrance. Leo and Liam in turn looked at each other with a raised brow before bursting into a fit of laughter as Oinkers came prancing out in a maroon and coral tutu to greet his two legged mum. Pure surprise crossed the features of the healer as a hand fell to rest on that large baby bump that made her look as wide as she was tall. It was not that cute round bump that appeared like a ball stuffed under a dress but an elongated torpedo projecting away from her as if one massive watermelon was under her gown. There was a wide eyed look on the pig before her attention turned first to Thamalys, “Brother! Pleasure and definitely surprised to see you and everyone else here! How many people are needed for a piglet birth?” She questioned still thinking her male pig was in labor. Her gaze turned to Penelope with a smile, “I think glowing comes with being all white in a world of color. Lovely to see you! Are you here for Oinkers labor? I didn’t know you were a vet too!”
Irenic | Leo and Liam give a jokingly suffering look at each other because their mother hasn’t clued in that this is a party for her! Edith lets out a heartily chuckle that shakes her shoulders, “oh… my dear Em. No, Oinkers, who is a boy piglet, won’t be having little ones and everyone is here for you! This is a baby shower,” Liam smiles charmingly at Penelope as he makes his way to his mother’s side, “come have a seat, mom. The fun is about to begin,” him and Edith help her into one of the chairs of the patio furniture with a foot rest available while Oinkers makes himself at home at Emilia’s feet. Leo accepts a delivery of cloth diapers fashioned into the shape of a two tier cake and tied off with a coral bow, but he brings over the two bouquets of maroon colored flowers that has a note attached which reads, ‘From Meri.’ Edith positions chairs into a circle from where Emilia is sitting and motions the guests to sit. Leo and Liam have a seat, but Lynn occupies her time with getting something else set up. “Now,” Edith begins, “let’s go around in a circle and ask the person to the right of us for baby advice. The answers can be as funny or serious as you’d like,” with that she looks to Liam. “What do you do if a baby starts to cry,” the teen boy quirks a brow and shrugs before confidently answering, “I dunno, flip it over.” To his right is Penelope and he grins slyly up at her, “what do you do if a baby starts flying all around?” This is actually a serious question because it’s a good chance that the twins will have avian wings.
Penelope’s smile turns now into a blank stare as she talks about Oinkers. “Is that the pig in the tutu…?” She could have been wrong, there were plenty of farm animals with silly, little; cute costumes. Moss eyes then blink at the woman who appeared like snow. “I’m not a vet. I don’t even own a pet,” then there was a smirk before Edith cuts in with the explanation. All the while, Liam is smiling at the freckled healer and a smile and a wave is given towards the boy in return. The girl then follows suit and sits with the rest of the group. Somehow ending up next to Liam again. She folds one leg over the other and lets out a snort at Liam’s answer before rolling her head a little before answering. “Chase it with a net. I’m too short for that.” Then eyes cast to the next person who happens to be Thamalys. “How would you change a diaper if your baby had wings?” Honestly, that was a genuinely curious question. Which since Thamalys is avian, he would have the answer, right?
Thamalys shook his head, the knotty mass of his ivory dreadlock following suit. “Ah, Emi, if only we had some others as kind as you are… a piglet, for the love of the Wind…” chuckled more or less silently the Blue, awkwardly perched a top of a high stool as the game started to unfold. In all fairness, the Spellblade was genuinely nervous. Baby advice? He knew nothing, and his answer to the Ardelian fully showed the extent of his ignorance . “A… diaper? Oh, of course…” quickly recovered the Blue once several pairs of probably astonished eyes fixed on him. Surely he knew what a diaper was? “Well, we have… special ones. Very, very special ones, that can be easily changed even mid-fly, no problem at all” he nodded rather unconvincingly, only to swiftly change the subject to some more up his alley. “I am surprised no one mentioned discipline yet - surely that is key, even from the very start? Order and precision are paramount to the healthy development of any decent Avian…” pointed out the, seeking for some sort of support that - no doubt - would have failed to materialised. Having failed that, why not focusing on the finger food?
Irenic | Leo smirks up to Thamalys, “oh… so that’s what that cage is for!” Edith gasps and shakes her head, “no, that’s a playpen, Leo.” The teen’s shoulders slump and he gives a fake glower before sitting straighter to proudly answer, “yes, uncle Tham. I’ll be the one making sure the twins stay in line. Strict training schedule and all.” Ever the warrior. When the boy looks upon his mother for his turn, he asks, “what do you do if a baby puts something in its grubby mouth that it shouldn’t?” Leo likes to play like he’s over the whole baby news, but he’s secretly excited to be looked up to and a role model to the little ones.
Emilia clapped her hand over her mouth as she belatedly came to the common sense knowledge that indeed her piglet was male and not going to have piglets anytime soon or ever. Then it was time for a circle of advice and though the woman was not a first time mother she listened with open ears. It was as Thamalys gave the diaper change answer that the water Lynn had previously brought her went spraying out her nose with a hearty laugh, "Well, I should have looked those up with the triplets, but we didn't diaper them. We did a free range method that surely is not most common, but we live on a farm." A simple comment and one she would remember to ask Irenic later as she couldn't remember now if they even talked about that. Then she turned to answer the question, "Well, you stick a finger in the mouth and try to swipe it out. If that doesn't work the baby heimlich works." Her gaze then fell to the person to her right to question, "What do you do if a baby bumps their noggin?"
Irenic | Ending the game with Edith to answer that question and she grins, feeling a little on the goofy side, “you just push the bump back in.” By this time, Lynn has provided everyone with the baby food portion of the games and hands off a plate with three baby spoons on each. One looks a creamy tan color, one is green and the last one is bright orange. Lynn is the only one who knows which is which and now it’s time for Edith, Leo, Liam, Emilia, Penelope and Thamalys to guess what the puréed foods are! She’s grinning in an unsettling manner, but that’s just her adorable impish ways. Leo and Liam, see food, they eat food with abandon, but quickly they make grossed out faces because they didn’t expect baby food to taste so weird! “Ugh! Did we eat this when WE were babies?!” They questioned their mother in unison. Edith clears her throat after sampling each, “I believe it’s pears, broccoli and… hmm… yam?” The boys ate theirs too fast to make a good enough guess, so the focus is on the rest to guess the baby foods.
Thamalys senses danger in those colourful nourishments. Sadly, there is no way out. The green option has been assessed by the dynamic duo already - and thus, swiftly discarded. Creamy tan or bright orange, that is the question. Hoping for orange and carrot (and declaring aloud as such to the merry mob) but dreading the possibility of pumpkin, the Blue proceeds to the tasting experience, a tense expression corrugating his brow. Whatever is in there, he would stoically bear the brunt, nodding with an half-smile.
Penelope appeared quizzical at Thamalys’ response. How would that work? Was it like a lasso that had a diaper attached to it? The fumble of his response makes her grin. “Discipline, why what’s the fun in that?” The Ardelian had a teasing tone towards the Blue before looking to the rest of them. Easy for Penelope to say, for she was not sure if kids were in her line of future. She was sure she would be a great aunt at some point with her brother’s kids if he had any. Loose strands from curly hair are tucked behind one ear before she moves on to listen to the others. A snort of a laugh here or there. When Emilia answers, she gives the pregnant woman a solid nod. “True that, the good ol’ finger swipe,” the Ardelian makes a popping noise with her mouth while hooking her finger in a mimic before moving to Edith’s response. “Pfft, if only it were that easy,” she laughs before the next game comes into play. “Oh Sven…” this was not going to be Nel’s strong suit. She inhaled anything she ate. Never savored a thing. The girl samples each before making a scrunched face. “I think the boys are right,” beat. “I think apple for the first one. I’m gonna go with Edith and say broccoli for the second, and then the third… carrots?” Penelope was not a pro at this. Maybe she should be daintier and really focus on her food flavors.
Emilia chuckled at Edith, "I will remember that one." Then came to the food tasting event prepared by Lynn. She laughed at every single person as they tasted the different foods. Her smile was bright as she nodded to the boys, "I mean Lynn also talked you both into eating worms and grubs, so this seems much better? No?" The look of disgust hit both boy's faces as she mentioned eating of worms and grubs then nodded that whatever this mush was, it was better. Looking to Penelope, "A fine pallette can determine a poisonous herb from safe one." A smile for other healer. Try as one might you can take the healer out of the clinic, but you cannot stop the spew of adice. Then it was her turn, but the mixture of smells together on a plate was enough to make her nauseated and she passed the plate back to Lynn, "I will pass this round. My stomach does not agree with the smells."
Irenic | Lynn claps and then points to Penelope for she is the winner of this game! That is Leo’s queue to get up and get the dolls for the next challenge. Cloth made dolls and a cloth diaper with a big safety pin to clasp the sides shut, but before anyone could get started off too soon, he coops out a big ol mess of colored whipped cream all over the dolls where they usually make messes! Just before the game begins, Irenic emerges from within the house with a big smile, a beautiful bouquet of snowflake Lily’s and blue roses. His shirt matches the color Emilia’s dress and Leo waves him over, “c’mon slowpoke!” With a slight trot, he brings Emilia the flowers and kisses her on her forehead before sitting next to his love. “Are ya having fun shortstack?” A baby doll shoved into his lap as Lynn gives him a sly grin and Leo announces, “okaaaaay, GO!” With a fury, Liam and Leo are making a mess of things, but Edith and Lynn are taking their good old time. Irenic it’s surprisingly making a quick enough and clean effort to dress the messy baby doll.
Penelope :: “Well it looks like you have a point,” she would say to the leader. Nel was not experienced in tasting many herbs. Only studying the outer part of the herbs. Maybe that was a new direction. She had so much more to learn about botany, for that was only her second choice in healing. Clinical was the first. Either way, the girl hears the clapping and her moss eyes look towards Lynn. “They always say I’m terribly lucky. Gets me through most circumstances,” she gives a shrug before the next challenge comes. “Oh boy… You’re really trying to prep a girl for motherhood,” The Ardelian breathes out before a messy baby doll is now resting in front of her. Changing diapers in a clinic, however, she could do for the mother’s sake, but did she like it? Absolutely not. At least it was not real. Once the ‘go’ is shouted, the woman does the instant routine. She is not as fast as she normally could be, only because she is wearing a decent dress, okay? Irenic is definitely ahead of the girl for this one. She is basically at the steady pace of Edith and Lynn. While changing, she looks towards the two chaotic ones. "Y'all best not actually be helping mom out like that when the babies are born!" There is a spew of laughter from the girl.
Emilia laughed at the idea of changing a doll diaper since she had triplets, but then she realized hers didn't use them. The healer was the first to have the diaper off and the doll bottom cleaned, but then it came to the putting it back on the doll that behind pace. Perhaps it was only a jesting manner that had the healer put the diaper on the head of the doll with the pin atop the head. The eyes, nose, and mouth of the doll sticking out a space normally used for a leg hole. One side of fabric was doubled over holding a piece of ice from her cup against the forehead without making contact to the doll plastic. All finished she held up her doll with a chuckle, clearly not the first one done or the last but in the middleish, "All done!" the Genasi laughed.
Irenic grins over to Penelope and waves when he’s done while Edith and Lynn are just finishing up. Leo states, “I’m going to practice and be better than Irenic at this!” Determined to the core that one and Liam, the charmer, cooly says to Penelope, “I’m the best with kids.” The avian softly chuckles in a proud way at Liam, he’s really trying his best to be such a gentleman and ladies man that it’s just too adorable. They all look at the diapered head of Emilia’s doll and thus earning a fit of laughter from her family, “that’s perfect my love.” He leans in and kisses her cheek.” There seems to be a silent exchange as Lynn glares playfully at Irenic, but she can’t hide the grin on her face when she nods to him as if he just asked her a question. Then Lynn looks to the boys, clueing them in on something, and they become silent as they watch Irenic expectantly, but their silence is their form of approval for what is about to happen. With a deep breath, Irenic stands up and takes Emilia by the hand to help the pregnant Genasi to her feet before he takes both of her hands in his, “Emilia…. We have had one wild year,” his silver gaze rests easy within her crystal blue one. “You’ve been my light in the darkest time. I cannot imagine my life without you, Lynn, Leo and Liam now. With that being said…” he takes something out of his pocket and lowers down to one knee to present her with a beautiful diamond band that twists up into the shape of a simple rose. “Will you do me the honors and marry me?” His heart pounds wildly in his chest with nervousness for her answer. Here in this surprise party he planned out with Edith, in front of her friends and family, he waits on bended knee.
Penelope covers her face with laughter at Emilia’s diaper-headed baby. “Should I be worried?” The girl teases before finishing up her own. The diaper pinned into perfect place. She had been proud. Well, kind of. She was lucky the doll did not squirm or actually smell. That was a whole other issue. The druid looks towards the charmer that is Liam and smirks. “Well, I don’t think I would disagree with that. You’ll be a good brother,” she smiles at the teen before eyes turn to Irenic who is mumbling. In the meantime, Nel is looking towards Thamalys and then Edith with a questioning gaze. Then, there the tall man is, kneeling down on one knee towards the girl of ice. Nel, like the girly girl that she is, might be bouncing in her chair right about now with internal squeals and hands over her mouth as she waits the answer from the genasi.
Emilia looked at Penelope with her question, "Well, if that came out of my baby's bum I would guess it would result in a raw bootycrack and they might have a fever?" A good old hearty laugh followed before she wiped away a tear from laughter, "However, I am most hopeful whatever that is does not come out of the babies bums." The laughter is short lived as a silence lingers before she is up on her feet with Irenic's help. Now, it is one thing to try to see her feet over her giant belly, but Irenic, even with his normal towering stance was left as a pair of eyes and some hair tufts in her vision as he knelt on one knee. As if on cue there was a distinct series of kicking feet in her womb, the little motions visible as the dress bounced and protruded out with the force, a drumroll of sorts. Had he gotten to all five kids without her knowing? The ring she couldn't see past her torpedo shaped bump, but that wasn't the important part to the healer. It could have been a boring copper band and it wouldn't have changed her mind. However, the babies playing on her bladder like a trampoline would. "I shall be right back...don't move!" She stammered before rushing off to use the bathroom. It would be a short moment of awkwardness before she returned and positioned herself back to as close as she was before and smiled brightly as she gave the answer, "Oh, my Feather Stick, yes, YES, I will marry you."
Irenic had made sure to hold the ring up over her bump, it almost served as a little table, great for eating probably. Then she excuses herself and his eyes go wide for a second, that’s worrisome, but he stays in place for her until she returns and when she says yes, joy bursts across his face. With a quickness, he takes the ring out of the case and slips it on the ring finger of her left hand and stands up to wrap his arms around her while sort of leaning over to do so since the baby bump is in the way. Then he looks over to the kids who are grinning and high fiving, Edith and Penelope to wave them all on in for a group hug. He was pretty sure she would say yes, but it’s always a relief to know for certain and he allows Emilia to show off her ring to her friends for her own little moment. It’s both of their second tries at this whole marriage thing, but something about it all just feels so right. As if all of this was supposed to happen to mold them into the people they were ready to be for each other. He just takes a deep breath and grins while looking at his family.
Penelope widened her gaze when Emilia got up mid-proposal. There was an exchange of glances between the pod of people. The giddiness of bouncing stops and her hands lower to settle back in her lap. The silence is almost deafening before Emilia returns and says ‘yes’. “Oh thank the Gods,” the woman breathes out in relief before grinning crookedly. The girl stands up with an excited mini clap before walking with giddy step with arms open to hug them all. “Yay! I’m so happy for you two!” The woman pulls back before looking towards the ring on Emilia’s finger. “Wow, that’s gorgeous, Irenic," she hollers back, "You did good,” she ogles. A ring. One symbolizing a bond and strength to take on life together. “I’m so thankful this is the family you have, Emilia. You both deserve it. Truly.”
Emilia embraced Irenic and then the whole group in a group hug of strangness with her bump in the way. It was always in the way now. Em tilted her finger this way and that to admire the ring on her finger while also showing it off. Beautiful just didn't seem to cut it when it came to describing it. Edith clapped the shoulder of Irenic with a gleeful, "About darntooting time!" The boys laughed and repeated, "tooting" before laughing more. Em turned with that bright smile still plastered on frozen lips, "I cannot speak for what I deserve in this life, but I am presently happy with the people that I am sharing it with. My growing family, my close friends, my healing family, and my animal family," the last was a nod to Oinkers who was running circles around the hugging group oinking in celebration. A side hug for the other healer, "I once heard it takes a village to raise younglings. I have learned this is true and would like to extend an off for you to mullover when you have time. It would be an honor to have you apart of this village as godmother to the twins."
Irenic grins to Penelope, “thank you, Penelope.” Then he chuckles at Edith, “well you kept turning me down, saucy minx.” It was always a playful joke, him hitting on Edith, just something to put a blush on the woman’s cheeks and get a chuckle out of everyone. When Irenic hears Emilia’s question to Penelope about being the godmother, he chimes in with, “we’ve discussed it and couldn’t wish for anyone better if anything were to happen to Emilia and I.” He holds up his glass of water, “now, lets celebrate Emilia and our new engagement. Penelope, we’ve got the guest house prepared for you.” It’s a long way back to Larket or Cenril this late at night. The baby shower turns into an engagement celebration and everyone enjoys the festivities until all are too exhausted.
Penelope was washed over with grace and ease. The lightness that surrounded the air today was a breath of fresh air. Different from what the days had come to be, as of late. A happy family. A happy friend. A happy mentor and leader. As Oinkers runs around snorting and the woman leans down to run a hand over the pig’s body. A pig was one of her favorite animals. The woman gently places a hand on Emilia as she side hugs the Ardelian. The eased woman listens to Emilia’s request and the smile that is on Nel’s face begins to fade into one that is small. A godmother to the twins. Another chance to not screw up, for she had already did before with Linken’s children—Aeric and Alexia. Did Emilia trust the girl that much? There was a swirl of ache in the woman’s heart, but a good ache. Like any good protector would do, the woman shakes her head. “I don’t have to think it over.” There is sincerity in mossy eyes. “I would be honored to be a part of this village. Their godmother. As long as you are making the right choice in me.” Eyes would also look towards Irenic for reassurance, as well. Nel had been through quite a bit of hell to feel like she deserved something this big, but… if Emilia wanted her, by the gods Penelope Halifax would be there for her and her family.
Emilia chuckled with a soft smile before moving to poke the other gently on the nose, "I don't forget a face, even in the faintest of lights," a beat after an odd remark, "I cannot think of anyone better." It was a happy evening all around from celebrating babies to a new engagement to a god mother. A perfect night for all things to come together in perfect harmony. Then there is Liam so excited as he dashes off hollaring, "I will get the cake!" Granted it was the ever so excited return that caused him to trip with his face smashing into the small cake. Laughter from the Genasu at her lad, "That surely is one meaning to getting the cake." Laughter and love with a blushing Liam under frosting covered cheeks.