milliways_bar | (no subject)

Got a big party coming up?

*He's sipping a cup of tea, as usual.*

*Snow looks up with a smile*

Tim! It's good to see you back. Ace was fairly worried for you, the last time we spoke.

The twins turn one year old in about four days.

*He grins back at her.*

Good to be back. Shes off visiting with my father.

*He winces.*

Ouch. Its been that long huh?

Yes, hard to believe. Bigby's still out sick, he's hardly coherent these days . . . it's not the same disease everyone else had recently, that much is clear. I'm getting worried.

*Tims brow furrows. He wouldn't wish ill on anyone.*

I'd offer to help, but I'm short powered at the moment.

*Snow nods*

It's all right, I understand. He recovered on his own last time, I'm sure he'll manage it again. But it's still a problem, since he hasn't been able to help Security since he came down with. . . whatever it is.

And look what got done without his inter---help.

*Tim blushes.*

Er, no offense.

*Snow sighs*

I love him, but I sat in on the Security meeting, I've gotten an idea of what people think about him. . . he was never like this back in Fabletown.

*Tim shrugs.*

Maybe it's the environment? We are pretty different here.

Maybe. But that can't account for such a radical change in behavior.

*Tim pauses.*

You think there might be more?

*He's not one to lay low asperations of charachter changes. Look at what happened to him.*

*a sigh*

Maybe. Maybe not. I might just be looking too far into this. He might've been sick earlier, maybe never even fully recovered from the last time, and he's just been fighting it off for months and it finally caught up to him. . .

Or...

*Tim broaches this tenatively.*

Maybe it's that he's far too cooped up?

Maybe. But it's barely less than what he had in Fabletown. The lake area is better than even Central Park. And even our honeymoon, which gave us an indefinate ammount of woodland without any sign of other inhabitants didn't help that much.

But he always had the ability to go elsewhere.

*Tim pauses, not wanting to tip his hand too far.*

If the need struck him, he was capable of going anywhere in the world. And, except for your honeymoon, I have never seen him pass through the front door.

He has the ability to go elsewhere, even now. There was no difficulty in obtaining a pass from Bar, even though we're Bound. He'd be able to take a trip to anywhere or when he wanted. It's his choice.

Oh you're not.....

*Tim coughs, changing topic midstream.*

Then why hasn't he?

Ask him, when he gets back. It's his decision to stay.

*Tim nods.*

I think I will.

*A shake of the head.*

So, party for the twins?

*a nod, and Millitime is invoked*

Yes, Lilly's helping me. They've made so many friends around the bar, and considering Ace's reaction when she realized I'd kept my own birthday hidden from everyone, I figured a party would be in order.

*Tim winces.*

you should probably add a note to any invitations requesting types of presents. Or you might end up with a bunch of new pets and some kid sized weaponry....

Er. That's an excellent point. I don't think I'm ready for them to have a pet yet. Weaponry is easier to deal with. It's kind of like swearing. . . around here, it's inevitable, but I'd rather they grew into it first.

I just have this image of wade floating around with a couple of shurikens and scaring everyone.

. . . okay, we tell them that sharp pointy gifts are all well and good, but they can't play with them until they're older.

*Tim nods.*

Sounds good.

*He glances up.*

Scuse me Snow, talk to you later.

*Snow nods*

I'll see you later, Tim.

Lilly wanders over, perhaps drawn by the siren sound of party-planning.

"What up, sai? Someone having a party?"

*Snow looks up with a small smile and mild, concealed panic*

Wade and Millie turn one on the 30th. I thought I should plan something to mark the occasion.

"Sounds like a good idea," Lilly says approvingly. It's a party. Of course she approves.

"Want any help? I'm not too shabby at the party planning thing."

*Snow smiles more but still residual panic*

I know you're qualified, but only on the condition that things are kept appropriate for a children's first birthday party.

"Damn, there go the strippers," Lilly says, laughing. "What about midget strippers? They'd be kidsize, at least."

She catches sight of Snow's still slightly panicked face and stops laughing.

"Okay, seriously though? I can do appropriate for children. Really. I swear."

*still some panic*

. . . please clear any and all ideas with me beforehand. A good rule of thumb is 'No strippers, regardless of size'. I count anything related to Anne Geddes in this. *a small shudder*

"Oh, that freaky-ass woman who's obsessed with planting babies? Someone should really explain human reproduction to her one of these days, and how potting babies isn't part of it."

Lilly sits down.

"I promise. No strippers, nothing inappropriate, just an awesome kids' birthday party where they can have fun without getting so crazy that everyone ends up crying."

Well, that's a relief. I have to feel sorry for the poor children forced to be a part of her photos.

*Snow's smiling now*

Excellent. I think we can work something out, then.

Lilly returns the smile.

"Of course we can," she says confidently. "Now, Wade and Millie are turning one? And Wade's the windbaby, right? What are they into?"

*Snow smiles and nods to Wade*

Yes, they were even born here so we can be certain of the timeline. They're still just under a year old, so they don't have many interests developed. . . Millie used to like hunting the demonic rabbits out back, but she's lost interest in it lately. It's fortunate, since I found out that some of them can breathe fire, too. She's got a doll that's certainly a favorite -- *Snow points to the wolf-eared rag doll Millie is currently holding* Wade likes flying around out back, and he's had fun when we have a kite up there for him to play with.

Lilly nods, taking this in. Kites and wolf-eared rag dolls, that's an interesting start right there.

"Okay. I say we have it outside, gives the kids room to run or float-" she smiles at Wade "-around as much as they want. A couple activities, but nothing too much. Some games and some toys, space to play, two cakes, and presents and you're really good for a kids' party."

In the back of her head Lilly's wondering if she can get someone to do some magic tricks and despite all the witches, wizards, etc in the bar her mind keeps going to Aziraphael.

*Snow nods*

Outdoors is certainly a good start, it all sounds wonderful . . . we should work out the games in advance, but I don't see any problems.

*she's quietly suspicious and working out contingency plans should Lilly spring something at the last minute*

Lilly's sitting there full of such beaming goodwill. If she knew what Snow was thinking, it would hurt her. Deeply. Or it would make her laugh and plan to hide the jet powered kite a little better.

"Oh, yeah, of course. What are you thinking for a guest list? The kids around bar mostly?"

*Snow is trusting Lilly more than she really should, after the Xanderella incident. Lilly has made excellent progress*

Maybe individual invitations for the children around the bar, but everyone should be allowed to come if they like. With Bar and everything, it's not like we need to worry about running out of snacks.

"Very true," Lilly says cheerfully. "If you want to make a list of who should get special invites, I can take care of those. And I'll talk to Ber'd and Bar about setting up an extension by the lake so the kids don't have to come tracking in here for snacks."

She smiles.

"I can make a list of games for approval too, and sometime when the intways are not around-ay, we can talk about akecays."

*a nod*

I'll work out a list and leave it with Bar for you.

*Snow returns the smile*

I'll leave them with a sitter tomorrow so we can discuss it further, if that works with your schedule.

"Totally," Lilly says. "I'm in suite 132, if you need to send me a note or anything too. Don't worry, Snow, this party's going to be really fun for the kids. And no ippersstray, I promise."

*Snow beams*

I'll remember that. And with an appropriate degree of restraint, there's no question you're qualified for party planning, so I'm sure it will be.