Folly & Agendas & Talulah

~HAPPY B𝐈RTHDAY MARZANNA~

March 29th:
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Marzanna gazed at the crowd with awe. She could barely hold back her excitement. She wore a small hat that covered her hair and wrapped under her chin. A big toothy grin showed on her face. Ten or so people, twenty or so people, maybe even thirty people joined to celebrate her birthday. A bowl of food was in everyone's hands, and they too had giddy smiles on their faces.

Talulah sat to her right; Kaiser Rye sat to her left. Haley sat near them drinking away with a few tipsy friends. Thankfully, she drank only one shot of alcohol. They spotted Patriot and Yelena in the distance watching from afar. Both of them enjoyed their meals silently. Sasha and Eno were playing with Marzanna, holding hands, dancing around in circles. Talulah and Kaiser Rye sat next to each other; the latter put an arm over his wife's shoulder.

"Today's the day," He chuckled, spotting his daughter start a game of tag with Sasha and Eno. "Marzanna is growing up. She'll be a woman in no time."

Talulah brushed his arm off and resorted to handholding. "I wish we can still cherish a few more years of her childhood," She said, resigning into his shoulder. "Look at how happy she is."

Marzanna chased Sasha and Eno with her little legs, both covered in bandages, and laughed the entire way. She tripped and fell, striking fear into Talulah's heart, but she sprang back up and bore a large smile. Then she was smothered with hugs from the two boys, rolled around on the grass, and laid on top of their backs, victorious.

Despite what he said, Kaiser Rye bore a rueful smile. The bubbly air and the festive atmosphere can only last for so long. Talulah eyed several children, what's left of the children, approach Marzanna and the boys, and soon they joined in on the fun. Every single one of them brought an aura that outmatched the adults watching them. The endless laughter followed by cries of glee sent the whole world shaking. It wasn't until Haley came to break them up, only to be overwhelmed by their arms and pulled into their ecstatic brawl.

"Stop! Stop! You're tickling me!" Haley screamed before she was completely overtaken by them engulfed by their bodies.

All of the other adults burst out laughing at the spectacle. Food sizzled in cauldrons; drinks spilled onto the ground from haphazard drinkers. Weapons hidden from the eye stowed away in tents and chests. Ursus Army uniforms were torched on racks in mass; a celebration of victory for everyone. Cloth draped over tables, but most of them ended up on the ground, stepped on by those passing by. Everyone has a speck of dirt on their face, dried by fires blazing from pots.

Kaiser Rye watched any part of Haley that stuck out from beneath the children. He looked at Talulah and asked: "Should I go help her?" Meanwhile, Talulah's eyes focused on Marzanna who fell out of the brawl and clapped her hands joyously.

"Grab our daughter first," She replied curtly.

Then the Draco went to pick up his daughter and save her aunt. Marzanna pulled on one of Haley's arms and fell on her bottom. Kaiser Rye pulled the rest of her out. Marzanna embraced Haley, called her name, and pulled her away. Haley was disheveled, and quite possibly, mortified by the child's play; she was hyperventilating, clutching her shirt and Kaiser Rye's hands while she was escorted out.

"Never again. I'll let someone else break them up next time," She shuddered on her way out and sat next to Talulah who greeted her with a rub on her face. Marzanna curled into her lap and wrapped her arms around her. Haley trembled in place while she latched onto Marzanna, resting her head on her hair.

Talulah giggled at her. She tapped the Sankta on her back with her fingers to calm her down. "You're still young, Haley. Just like the children. Bask in their energy for as long as you can," She said. "I'm sure you can still keep up with them." Talulah poked Marzanna's cheek, granting her a laugh.