Right Where You Left It

Sitting back in her chair, Rosie feels at peace, even with the high volume of chatter around her.

Today was a special day for a number of reasons. Rosie has spent all day in the garden, barring the others from entering with Uno keeping watch diligently. She has only re-entered the manor once when she heard of the arrival of Maxie and his significant other, bounding inside to greet her twin with a warm hug and a spin into the air, grinning wildly at having her other half back for a short while. When Uno gently reminds her of her tasks in the garden she goes straight back outside, warning her twin that if he so much as peeks outside she will find out and tell his boyfriend plenty of embarrassing secrets only she would know. After all, Maxie's arrival was one reason today was so special.

Getting back to work, the garden comes alive with Rosie flitting about to set the scene. The only other family members she allows to help are Bacchus and Rex, her self-appointed flora crew. She knows she cannot technically stop prying eyes behind curtained-windows from her older siblings, but that would be fine. This surprise is not for them, she just wants wants a grander reaction. With instruction from Rosie the two set about putting floral archways and garland strands up around the middle terrace, creating intricate patterns along the way with weaves of vines and leaves.

An hour later Rosie gets that itch in the back of her head that a certain someone is close to arriving. She deems it a fine enough time to let the residents into the garden and asks Othello and Ninnie to bring out the edible preparations from the kitchen. A satisfied smile graces her face when she sees the others’ reactions to the transformation Bacchus, Rex, and herself had done to the terrace. The light filtering in between the hanging peonies all around casts against the polished stepping stones embedded into the ground as well as the wings of the fluttering butterflies drawn to the newly-placed flowers. There are lanterns prepped all around the area, knowing how long their parties could last well into the evening.

Everyone places their gifts on a designated table Rosie directs them to and then take seats at the large, round tables. Rosie becomes distracted with everyone now occupied in conversation, looking over every little detail in case something was somehow missed in her methodical checks. She snaps back to attention when Maxie nudges her side, unaware her brother had even stood up to be by her.

“You know she’s going to love it, stop worrying over little things.” he chides, swirling the wine in his hand before taking a sip.

Rosie sighs, letting go of a leftover pearl strand she was tucking into a flower arch. “I know, but it has been so long since I could do this for anyone.” “Mm, quite. That’s what happens when these things happen only once a year.”

Rosie rolls her eyes and bats Maxie’s arm, knowing that he is smirking. “You know what I mean, besides, when was it the last time I was the one hosting this type of party-”

The eldest twin is cut off by a high squeak of a “They’re here! They’re here!”

Ninnie bounces excitedly around, quickly taking her spot by Othello and smoothing out her dress.

"They're here everyone! I saw them coming up the pathway to the front!"

Let's go in the garden

You'll find something waiting

As everyone turns to the backdoor of the manor expectantly it pushes open from the inside, a spot of a gray braid peeking around the frame. Tottie steps out into the light of the garden with Silas, eyes wide at the scene laid out before her.

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOTTIE!"

Right there where you left it

Lying upside down

“Oh goodness…” Tottie’s startled voice is barely above a whisper against the roar and cheers of the family she is greeted with. Owogan steps forward briskly and wraps Tottie up into a hug. “Welcome home. I am glad to see your travel back was safe.” She turns her head to Silas and gives a look of appreciation, acknowledging his promise to keep their sister safe. Silas gives a soft smile back before a sudden gust of wind whirls around them in the shape of the twins, running over to draw them into a tackling-hug. Rosie is, of course, a blubbering mess and so Maxie pipes up with a “We missed you! Our darling little sister home for her birthday.” He nuzzles his face into her hair and messes up her braids. Tottie lets out a huff. “Honestly! It took forever to get the braids perfect today while on the road.” she remarks with absolutely no heat, perfectly content to be doted on by her siblings again. Rosie looks up from her crying just as Othello walks up with Ninnie, Bacchus, and Ashlen; for just a moment her mind flashes back to years and years ago

Rosie hears Othello echoing sentiments of missing Tottie and relieved to see her safe and sound. She hears Ninnie shifting on her two feet until she dives under everyone to give a proper hug face-to-face. Bacchus mentions how dull the gardens have become at midnight without seeing as many sneak out and Ashlen brings up missing the sentimentality of finding a personalized cake waiting for him at random in the afternoons.

When you finally find it

You’ll see how it’s faded

Rosie’s eyes travel to the rest of the party in the back; onlookers patient in waiting for the immediate family to have their time with Tottie’s return. But, that was just it wasn’t it? This circle around Tottie currently were the close familial members, but when had the others become family as well? When she looks at the strange bunch, an ensemble of angels and demons, she finds newfound-family and close friends rather than strangers anymore.

The underside is lighter

When you turn it around

Uno appears next to Rosie from dropping off Tottie and Silas’ bags in their room in the manor. They take her hand and squeeze it, looking off in the same direction Rosie was. She looks up at them and they give a nod back, seemingly understanding what is going on in her mind. She grins and turns back to the crowd behind them. “Hey! This is a Fluffypants party, which means everyone joins in on the family group hug!”

As if Rosie was the one with command magic the group gets up immediately to join them, all smiles and giving their well-wishes to Tottie for her birthday as their arms join the circle of the clustered embrace.

Everything stays right where you left it

The party truly begins in full swing afterward with music striking up and the family bringing Tottie over to the table to examine the food display in all its glory. They made sure to have sweets in abundance for Tottie’s (and quite frankly, most of the others’) enormous sweet tooth. Tottie is especially delighted when she gets to cut the first piece of the seven-layer cake and to find inside that sprinkles had been baked right into it.

After everyone has eaten they get to games and dancing, some involving wine in typical Fluffypants fashion. Presents are given and Tottie opens each, thanking everyone for thinking of her and even Silas who receives some welcome-back gifts.

Rosie waits for everyone to go back to their own shenanigans within the party before approaching Tottie with her own surprise behind her back.

The gift is presented to Tottie and Rosie holds her tongue to take in her little sister’s reaction.

Inside of a glass cylinder is a large, light-pink rose still attached to its thin stem. Tottie scrunches up her eyebrows and twirls the case around, getting a closer look at the flower within. “It’s a climbing rose! Well, specifically it’s a Constance Spry.” She taps the glass toward the bloom. “Even more specifically, it is an exact DNA replica of the one you were found in.” Tottie looks up at Rosie in surprise. “It’s what?”

Rosie takes the case back into her hands gently. “Between Maxie’s memories of the day and my own notes on the clippings, I was able to make this living replica. It’s modified to never dry out and wilt, finally one of my projects has been completed.” She smiles at the case and then at Tottie, realizing a tear silently rolled down her sister’s cheek. “Ah, do you not like it?? Perhaps I should have thought of a different gift, but I was already working on this for a while now and figured…” “No no, Rosie, I love it. Thank you.”

Tottie takes back the flower and holds it close while giving a warm smile.

“Ah. What a relief.”

Everything stays

But it still changes

Rosie watches idly as everyone settles into typical mingling and comfortable relaxation

Maxie is showing Bacchus and Owogan how easily you can use a tea cake with wine as a substitute, his own significant other looking on in the daze of the party until Maxie actually tries to dunk it, moving swiftly to snatch it from his hands. Othello dances with Ninnie sweetly in the center, with Ninnie insisting on leading and only prolonging the dance longer while Othello’s boyfriends wait by the side for their turn.

Everyone was happy and genuinely enjoying the company of the party, the company of the family. Rosie takes a deep breath and lets herself sink deeper into her chair, feeling more at home than ever.

Ever so slightly, daily and nightly

In little ways, when everything stays ✧