AN: So far I've got 5 votes for 'yes' – three for describing the process in the story, two for just making it pop up with little lead up – and only one for 'no'. The poll – for whether or not there will be a pairing in the story – will remain for a few more days.
Feather Thirty Eight
So, the itching never dissipated – the one that had started the morning of Siobhan's seventeenth birthday. It was constant, sweeping over different areas on her back, gradually sinking down to just above her buttocks by suppertime.
Her friends had actually brought her presents, too, on a different note.
Laketta and Tianna had, of course, gotten her makeup.
Ana had gotten her a dress and leggings – "Because I know you absolutely hate showing your legs," she had explained, much to Siobhan's surprise.
Rocco, oddly, had gone with a rather large supply of chai latte teabags and a smaller supply of cakes. The same cakes she usually ordered at the coffeehouse. A quick glance at Ana – who smirked – told Siobhan that Rocco had gone to her for help, instead of Grandda or the twins.
Grandda had gotten her two things. One was a pass to a 'mixed martial arts' studio, the other was a silver-coloured bracelet. It was a rather simple bracelet, but beautiful, in that three separate 'threads' of silver spun around each other.
Murphy had gotten her a book, and not just any book: a Gaelic songbook. And while Murphy had given her something superfluous, Connor had gone with practical. He had given her a knife, a very simple but sturdy thing that fit in her palm almost as if it were meant to be there. The blade was only three inches long, and also exceedingly sharp – something she realized by just touching the sharp edge – and had its own little sheath.
"It's alrigh' to carry it," Connor had said, "Checked the laws m'self." She had beamed at both of them because she liked music, and she liked to be able to defend herself.
Siobhan spent quite a bit of the day – after the little party was over – tucked away in her room, reading her songbook, sipping on tea, and occasionally eating a small cake.