Coral's first birthday party

[guppy_sandhu]

Outside in a quiet corner of the garden, well away from the lake, a birthday party has been set up.

There's a paddling pool with some toys in, a picnic spread out on a cloth, and a sign saying 'Happy Birthday Coral'.

Comments

[ikissdhimbck]

"Who's Hilde?"

Kate's indignant! Nobody but nobody calls her young men 'awful'.

"Did she now? An' how did that make y'feel, when Coral said your name?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"One of Teja's people." Guppy supplies.

Fry considers the question, picking up a bit of grass and playing with it in his fingers.

"I don't know." he says. Feelings are hard.

[ikissdhimbck]

She glances at Guppy, the stern expression on her face making it clear she'd like an explanation, but that it can wait until later if he doesn't want to give it in front of Alex.

"Sometimes, when someone does somethin' nice, it can give you a good feelin'. Like when y'drew me that picture of Beaut an' I, it made me happy, an' proud."

She smiles gently.

[guppy_sandhu]

"She's only about three." Guppy says.

Fry thinks for a moment. He doesn't really know what this 'feeling' is he's supposed to describe. But Kate's trying to find out what occurred when Coral spoke, perhaps? He closes his eyes for a moment.

"Enzo not in water bird noise seven toys squeaky duck bad noise other duck better noise bunny near trees eight cakes three pink one white four yellow Coral came hands out said Fry gived duck splash splash water wheel..." Fry opens his eyes again, tilting his head and glancing at Kate to see if any of that was acceptable.

[ikissdhimbck]

Ah, well. If the offender was only three, Kate supposes she can grant a pardon.

She listens closely to Fry so as not to miss a word, ducking her head down to his level with her brow furrowed. When he's finished and looking at her, she smiles ever so slightly.

"That's a lot t'have goin' on, huh?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah." Fry says.

"Is it like that all the time?" Guppy asks.

Fry nods. Isn't it for everyone?

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate purses her lips in thought.

"Then, perhaps, next time I'll ask if things have been good. How's that?"

Take feelings right on out of the equation, and let him answer from the head a little more instead.

[guppy_sandhu]

Fry nods eagerly. That sounds very nice.

He brings Kate a daisy, then gets back in the paddling pool.

[ikissdhimbck]

She grins, and slips the daisy into her hair.

Right, they'll talk later, then.

"Can I interest you in some spiced peaches?" she asks Guppy, turning to get them two small plates. It's a nice day for two good friends to stand and chat and enjoy a treat together.