October 20, Fall, year 36

I said it was boring around here. Almost a whole month with nothing interesting happening… Sheesh.

Well, alright, Kaemon's birthday was the 13th, but we weren't allowed to attend it at the Rain Palace because it would have meant another teleportation trick, followed by teleport-sickness.

In other words, Skye was being over-protective again. At least this time I had enough warning to at least ply my needle to embroidery and made him a rough picture of our farm. He really liked it, and wants to know if he can visit after we go home!

"Wait, so she arranged a feasting party without asking me?"

Claire had the look of one who was about to go orbital. But she had good reason. Having learned of Meredith's birthday, Queen Tsukiko had—without bringing Claire into the plans—ordered a full celebration on the child's behalf.

Even though she was only half-blood, a Princess's birthday was still an occasion. Tsukiko had conveniently forgotten that Skye was happily abdicating his throne, and considered all of the children princes and princesses, even when they made the distinction that it was not what they wanted.

Even Mirei, who loved to be fancy, had no wish to be an actual princess if it meant being so bored all the time. And upon learning what lessons a princess had, and how little free time, it reinforced her decision.

So Claire was decidedly less than pleased with her mother-in-law. Her plans had been more modest and quiet, because Meri was not a crowd person.

"I only just found out myself," Skye sighed, raking a hand through his silver hair. "If I had known beforehand I would have told her it was out of the question."

"She's only fo-five," Claire corrected herself. "There's no reason for such a large gathering! It's nonsensical!"

The child under discussion, curious to hear her mother's voice so raised, toddled over and hugged Claire's leg. Surprised the blonde looked down, then smiled softly, bending to sweep her child up in a hug.

It was moments like these that made being in this place worth it, Skye decided. Even f this place was nothing more than a hassle with its manipulations, schemes and back-biting, there was always this constant from Claire and his family.

Love.

"Mommy, whasa matter?" Meri asked, happily snuggling up in her mother's arms.

"Your Grandma planned one of those giant parties for you without informing us," Skye said before Claire could open her mouth. "Like what your Uncle Daisuke had."

To no one's surprise, the child's mismatched eyes went wide and she shook her head rapidly, making her pigtails whoosh out to either side of her head.

"It starts soon, I'm afraid," and Skye patted his youngest on the head, smiling sympathetically. "Don't worry, they'll just present you with gifts, there will be a little entertainment, and then we should be free to leave."

Should was the operative word there, and Claire had the sneaking suspicion that it wouldn't be so easy.

The didn't dress up, since there was every intention of going out to the clearing after the party and celebrating quietly on their own. But the family trooped down to the banqueting hall, each with their own thoughts.

Claire was angry with Tsukiko. To think, this woman had tried going over her head to throw a party that she had no business throwing. Meri was no princess—not literally—and all the expensive frivolities would hardly be worth it.

Skye was resigned, but also annoyed. His mother had seen his youngest enough to know that the child was painfully shy in a crowd of people, preferring to stick only to her family. So throwing a party like this was merely her way of trying to rub Claire's face in the fact that the queen could throw this sort of party and shower the children with lavish, expensive gifts, where her mother could only sing her songs, read her stories and just be there. Tsukiko had no idea that this was just what the child wanted.

Meri was hesitant and uncertain. The ghost-people frightened her, because they were all strangers and she didn't like strangers talking to her when they didn't really know her.

Both sets of twins were annoyed on their sister's behalf. Their idea—and their plans—of a good party had consisted of a small family gathering, somewhere private and out of doors.

It was this highly disgruntled group that sat through almost two hours of gift-giving—most of the presents were frivolous things like small pieces of jewelry, or colorful gemstones with no real purpose.

"Clearly these people have no idea the proper gift for a five-year-old," Claire heard Lauren mutter.

Of the gifts granted only Kaemon's was so far appropriate, a small stuffed animal in the shape of a Pegasus.

The sensible gifts were given, in the end, by Skye's siblings. Yukiko gave Meri a picture book that would project said pictures in wonderfully bright colors. Daisuke gave her a music box that played a flute-sounding lullaby. Akio gave her a small birdcage with a small canary-like bird in it, which trilled cheerfully upon seeing the small child.

For Hotaru's present, there was a real Pegasus, a filly that had been orphaned not too long ago. She had made explicitly certain that the winged-horse wouldn't mind being with the small child before bringing her to the party.

Toshihiro gave her a blanket that was almost twice her size, in a rainbow of pastel shades. It looked thin, but he said—gruffly—that it would be warm enough for even the harshest Earth winter.

Yue and Hoshiko had collaborated on a project, a painted ceramic pot—it was covered in rainbow designs and bright suns with smiling faces—filled to the brim with bright yellow flowers. Marigolds, they had proclaimed proudly, to match Meri's name.

The following entertainment was music, which quickly got repetitive and boring. The following escape was surprisingly easy, considering they were the ones on the dais, but they wasted no time in thinking about it. Instead they took the filly—the only present Meri didn't want to leave behind—grabbed a 'picnic basket' from the kitchens courtesy of Skye and his pre-planning, and hightailed it out to the clearing as quickly as possible.

"Phew," Claire sighed once they were settled on the clouds. "talk about over-indulgence of junk. Do they really expect us to keep that pile?"

The pile of trinkets had been almost as tall as Mirei and Alan, made up of sparkles and things that shone.

"Just be glad that Mother didn't have enough knowledge beforehand to arrange something for the twins," Skye sighed softly. "And we should be out of here before anyone else has their birthday, Hoshiko's isn't until November."

"Thank goodness," the blonde farmer's sigh was relieved. "So they're finally stepping it up?"

"After being leaned on by Daisuke, myself and Kaemon, I would hope so."

Upon hearing that everyone let of quiet cheers of relief. They wanted to go home as badly as their parents did, if not more so, all for various reasons. The biggest one was to be able to sleep in their own beds again.

"Would I get to take Belle with me?" Meri yawned. Trying not to be afraid at the big party had worn her out.

The Pegasus in question nickered slightly, and Claire smiled.

"If your father doesn't object, taking her home is fine with me."

Skye gave his wife an amused, resigned look. The blonde just winked one blue eye saucily, grinning.

"As long as word didn't get off the island, I don't see why it would be a problem," he said after a minute. "And she might be a taming influence on Midnight. He's from here, though he's a throwback from a mating between a normal mare and a Pegasus. It's why he was sent home, these people only like what they perceive as normal."

"That's sad," Lauren commented. "This place would be a lot niftier if they had regular things as well as different. It might be more interesting."

Jamie snickered.

"Does this mean we can collect winged aminals?" Alan asked, eyes glittering in hope.

"No," his parents replied firmly.

"We have enough cats and dogs at home to qualify as a regular zoo," Claire stated. "And while the winged ones would be interesting, I think our other pets would be very unhappy with us."

"Not to mention what it would do to the local wildlife population," Jamie muttered under his breath. "Winged cats chasing birds…."

Everyone laughed.

I guess it wasn't too bad. We managed to make an early escape, we can leave most of the presents here when we go home, and there were even some useful presents among the frivolous.

And hearing that we might be able to leave before the middle of November has brightened everyone's moods.