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(South of France) Vacation Begins
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 11-05-12 00:15
The first of August had dawned brightly, and within a handful of hours the group was arriving at a designated point in the Wizarding South of France not far from the expansive beach house that had been rented for them for the next week or so.
I'd warned everyone that the beach house was in the muggle section of the city we were staying in and appropriate precautions had been taken. Shopping had been done prior to the trip, but knowing that I was here with Bronwyn would mean that there would be some shopping before everyone would be heading home, or in my case to Greece with Dex.
Time was taken to unpack before we decided on what things we wanted to do first. The weather was fantastic and a vote was quickly reached to spend some time on the beach, and it would allow those couples that intended a romantic interlude on the sand to ultimately find their hidden spots.
Within a few moments, the group of fourteen were in their bathing suits (even Desi who looked fantastic) and down on the beach. Crew and Mase were playing in the water. A few people recognized Fallon, Fletcher and Toby as members of the British National Team and got autographs and got a couple of photographs.
I was currently lounging on a blanket, eyes closed and soaking up the summer sun. Dex was currently working off some energy with Driver tossing a ball around or something. Ember and Cameron were lounging on another blanket near where Dex and I were set up.
Arley and Seb were playing with the boys in the surf, and Bron was talking with Desi and I was half listening and occasionally adding my two knuts to the conversation while Toby was playing with Driver and Dex at the moment.
Stress relief was the theme of today now that we were finally on vacation.
Disapparition
Author: Phyllida
Date: 11-05-12 12:52
"Mistress mustn't do it, she mustn't!"
Twitchy, the sole remaining house elf in the employ of Number One, Black Friar's Lane, had his great, saucery eyes pooled with tears of unshed frustration. His squashed nose gave him the honking, nasal tone of a trombone – it had been Phyllida's grandfather, Pheridius Spore, who had thrown a book at his loyal functionary's eponymously twitching nose. Twitchy's nose had never twitched again.
Phyllida lifted a finger to her lips – it was all the house elf needed to grudgingly desist his protestations.
"Be quiet and help me pack."
The house elf was a far more efficient trunk-packer than Phyllida ever could have been; he had her small, leather case in order before she had chosen her socks. "And how long will Miss' sojourn be?"
Phyllida considered it unwise to answer that question, lest it be used against her. She flicked the latches on her case, giving Twitchy a firm nudge aside. "Twitchy is not to tell Mama or Papa."
"Yes, Miss." The creature wrung his hands, unwrung them, and twittered anxiously to himself.
"Twitchy will go back to bed now, and he'll wake up tomorrow and carry on as normal." Phyllida rose to her full height, holding her wand. She had pulled back the musty velvet curtains a little, to view the street outside through the thick, mottled, greenish glass. The alleyway was dark – only a Victorian gas lamp, inexplicably still functioning a century past its brethren had extinguished in favour of electricity, cast a yellowing glow on the damp cobblestones. She reached for the black cloak hanging off the bedpost; the disillusionment charm woven into its fibres shrouded her in darkness – at midnight, she reflected, the odd Muggle might still be about.
She gripped the handle of her case, arranging her cloak to cover her legs, and drew the hood over her head. A few minutes longer, and she would appear in a quiet Dorset village, very nearly in perfect time.
A warm, furry thing passed between her legs; in the darkness, Ptolemy's glowing yellow eyes stared up at forbiddingly. "Miaooooooooow," he objected.
"Shh!"
"MIAAAOOOOW."
"Shut up you stupid cat!" she hissed; she reached down to grab him, trying to stifle his loud protests under her cloak. His miaows seemed to reverberate in the silence – loud enough, it seemed, to raise dust from the drapes and penetrate the rafters. The determination in his bulbous eyes was alarming – she had never seen him so angry. She closed her eyes, and reminded herself of her goal. Destination, Determination, Deliberation.
She landed with a moderate POP, a flurry of black cloak, and a hissing, horrified cat at Number Four Shire Oak Road, Tolpuddle.
Shopping and Matchmaking
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 11-06-12 03:56
Johanna went with Felicia to the Diagon Alley in order to buy next school year's books. They were waiting in the line to pay at Flourish & Blotts with a pile of books in their hands, while a witch surrounded by her children tried to find her wallet in her purse as she urged the children to behave.
"You didn't really tell me how your date with Caerwyn Valentine at the Fest was," Felicia started.
"Yes, I did. I told you we had a good time."
"Did you kiss?!"
"No!" Johanna laughed. For Felicia the expression 'having a good time' was synonym of making out. "We listened to the music, we danced, we talked…I met his little sisters and Ms. Rose offered us free pastries from her bakery. We hang out with Gus Hodffufer. His date was Liannah MacDougal, from Ravenclaw. "
"So nothing happened," Felecia seemed somewhat disappointed.
"Well we started to exchange letters," Johanna said and her best friend smiled and she started to speak as if Johanna and Caerwyn were already in a relationship. Johanna didn't bother to explain to her that they were just friends. She just let Felicia to continue to brag about her matchmaking skills even if it was Johanna who sent the invitation to Caerwyn in the first place.
Finally the witch in front of them was done with her shopping and it was their turn to pay.
"Have you seen Gus at all at the fest?" Felicia asked, counting the money before giving it to the wizard at the counter.
"Yes. He was buying some butter beers for himself and probably for Polly. I also saw Roger Gesner and his girlfriend Joanna Porter. He was already wearing his prefect badge as if we were already at Hogwarts. I can't believe I will have to work with him. He's so annoying!"
"If you give me your badge I don't mind handling him," Felicia offered. Johanna knew she was somewhat jealous she hasn't been chosen to be a prefect.
"You? Last year you must have lost at least 50 points from kissing Baltus around the school. Besides if you were a prefect you would spend less time with your boyfriend because you would be busy with your prefect duties."
Felicia realized Johanna was right, that indeed she would not be able to be with Baltus much if she had to spend her evenings patrolling the school corridors and going to the prefects meetings. Suddenly all the jealousy was gone. Felicia then started to talk about Gus again and how Kate had written to her telling she had seen Gus at the festival on his own. He had asked her if she had seen Polly.
"So he might have lost Polly in the crowd. These things happen,"
Johanna declared, picking up her books and directing herself to the exit of the shop. Their next stop would be Madam Malkin's: Johanna was in the need for new robes.
"No. Kate specifically wrote that Gus said that Polly disappeared."
"Well then let's pray to Merlin that she was caught by the person who is attacking all those women at St. Emrys and she became his or hers next victim."
"Johanna!"
"What?"
"You still like him don't you?"
She didn't reply. Of course she did, but at the same time she was trying to forget him. But she just couldn't help to feel hostile around Polly. Johanna had seen Polly and Gus together at the platform Nine and Three Quarters when they left the Hogwarts Express. She just thought Polly didn't deserve a person like Gus.
They entered Madam Malkin's shop and Johanna knew Felicia was going to start lecturing her, saying she should forget Gus and focus on someone else, someone like Caerwyn. But before she could do that a voice called her name.
"By Merlin's beard, look at you!"
She looked in front and saw a young man wearing one of Hogwarts' robes as one of Madam Malkin's assistants was adjusting it with pins. She had no idea who he was and her face must have reflected her confusion because he added:
"You don't remember me do you? Of course not. But I remember you. And you're friend, Felicia."
"Have we met before?" she asked, putting the books she had just purchased on a chair. She kept studying his face and she could feel Felicia moving next to her. He was attractive and that was the reason for Felicia's reaction. However he didn't seem to notice her and his eyes were on Johanna.
"We met many years ago at Happy Haven. We used to clean windows together…"
"Colin!"
Finally she recognized him. Colin Hawke had been her friend when she was sent to Happy Haven School for Nons. She didn't kept contact with him once they were freed. Johanna recalled that he was home schooled but now it was easy to guess he was going to attend Hogwarts. Colin smiled and he confirmed her suspicions when he said he wanted to spend his last school year at Hogwarts. He said it would help him to join St. Emrys later. Colin didn't have time to say more because his robes were ready and he excused himself saying he had still a lot of shopping to do. He said goodbye to Johanna and Felicia promising to meet them again once the school year started.
Felicia watched him go by the window, while Johanna was received by Madam Malkin herself.
"You need a tissue? I can see your drool from here…" she commented amused, because of Felicia's reaction.
"He is so hot! Too bad I'm dating Baltus…Hey, why don't you ask Colin out? You know, offer to tell him more about Hogwarts, use your prefect status later to show him around…"
"I thought I was meant to marry Caerwyn," Johanna said with irony.
"Caerwyn, Colin…" Felicia shrugged her shoulders. "As long you date someone…Oh I need to tell Kate about this, I wonder if she remembers Colin!"
Johanna let Felicia with her rambling and she stayed still so Madam Malkin would be able to do her work.
Black And White
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 11-06-12 15:28
The rustic cabin sits well back from any road. With its back against a small pond, the setting is more than a little picturesque. As soon as they've apparated to a spot a foot or two into the treeline that circles around towards the dirt path, made muddy from a recent shower, leading to the cabin's front porch Dante releases his hold on his sister's arm. As they step from the trees and start for the cabin Sunshine requests, "Just hear them out before getting contentious."
"Do any of you have something new to add?"
"Okaaay. Going for it right out of the gate."
"Maybe if even one of you would listen to me I wouldn't be."
"We care about you."
"Which is why you all should respect my wishes."
The sound Sunshine makes is some sort of cross being an exasperated groan and a condescending snort. "You think we don't respect you?"
"Nope."
"Whatever."
The rest of the short walk is completed in silence. On the porch, both take a minute to scuff feet on a mat to remove the muddy clay from their shoes. Despite a nomadic lifestyle that sometimes saw them living out of a tent, they learned very early on that their mum does not tolerate tracking the outside in. Passing through the door Dante braces himself for another argument with the family and accompanying pressure they're exerting on him to rejoin them.
"Baby!" Dante is enveloped in a tight, perfumed hug. As he extricates himself his mother gives such a sigh her next words come out sounding like a mournful lament. "After last time I wasn't sure you'd come again, even if just for a meal."
Last had ended with his father proclaiming that either Dante come back to the family fold or he could consider himself to have no family at all. When Dante made a retort that angered his father even more, his brother decided that making a physical point might get through what he refers to as Dante's thick skull. Rocky and he both came away from it with black eyes. They could have done more damage to each other if their mother hadn't used Petrificus Totalus on them. He's fairly sure that parting is why Sunshine came to get him for the side-along apparition here instead of Rocky.
Dante gives his mother a tight smile. "Let's not pretend I'm here just for dinner."
He hears Sunshine grumble, "Why to approach this with an open mind."
"Wherever did you get the idea I was coming today with an open mind? I tried that months ago but was met with closed minds that weren't willing to listen then any more than you're willing to listen now."
"Children, children. Please, don't start bickering."
"Mum, I'm not here to bicker with any of you but arguing my position is all any of you want to do."
"I want all my babies around. How can you fault me for that?"
"I don't fault you for it, Mum, but doesn't want I want matter?"
"You've told us what you want, Tag, but we've outvoted you," Rocky says as he comes down a set of stairs.
"Since when did major life decisions become a matter of a family vote?"
"Since you decided to be stubborn."
Another door out of Dante's line of sight bangs shut followed by his father booming, "IS HE HERE YET?"
His mother hurries that direction. "Yes, he's here and try not to make so much racket, please. The baby is sleeping."
At a moderately lower volume, Dad orders, "Well, have everyone come in here and sit, or is dinner ready?"
"No, it's not quite ready."
Sunshine gives Dante a nudge forward as Rocky heads around a partial wall, which Dante finds opens onto largish room. His sister-in-law Angel appears from what he takes to be the kitchen. He gives her a nod before saying to his father, "You summoned?"
This earns him another nudge in the back from Sunshine and a muttered, "Check the attitude."
Dad is pouring himself a drink. He holds up a decanter of what looks like might be gin. "Anyone else?"
Rocky accepts a drink but no one else does. Dad settles into an oversized chair of pale green leather. "Come to your senses yet, son?"
There's no point in pretending Dad might be addressing Rocky. Perched on the edge of a love seat Dante informs him, "I came to my senses a few years ago."
"Your mother and I had hoped that by allowing your little flight of fancy, you'd have gotten it out of your system by now."
"Why can't you accept that it's what I prefer?"
"You do realize that the longer you are following this whim of yours, the greater the risk you put the rest of us in?"
"For a long time you had little contact with me. This past year, it's been the family's choice, starting with Rocky, to stay frequently in touch and to request these face to face gatherings. So, explain to me how I'm the one putting the rest of you at risk."
With a glance at his father, Dante's mother leans forward from her position on a couch opposite of the love seat. "It's you by the very fact that every time one of us reaches out to you, we risk exposing ourselves."
As neutrally as he can Dante points out, "The greatest risk of exposure I know of, Mum, is when you went out in public wearing your own face in a Wizarding location and someone got a picture of you. That incident had nothing whatsoever to do with me."
Rocky says with rolled eyes, "As I've told you, that picture didn't put anyone at risk. It's far off and fuzzy. Pure speculation."
"That's not the point and you know it."
Dante's father cuts one hand through the air to halt anything Rocky was going to say. "That's neither here nor there. MY point is that by attempting to keep in contact with you more than once every several months or longer, to see you again with regularity increases the chance of a slip up. As I told you last time we met, either rejoin us or be considered no longer a member of this family."
"And as I've told you, I don't understand why you've made this a black and white situation. Why can't you go back to the occasional owl and getting together only a few times a year?"
Dad's response is to huff out, "Because I said so," the hated response of parents to children of all ages.
Dante rubs his face then looks straight at his father. "More like you're peeved I won't cave to your demands so you've given me such an extreme either-or option to spite me."
Sunshine, sitting next to their mother, gives Dante a look that tells him he's hit the mark dead on. She still isn't going to speak in favor of Dante as she's made it quite clear these past months that while she does sometimes get tired of the constant traveling, the secrets and lies, and having no real life of her own, for the most part she likes the lifestyle and finds an occasional short break to suit her just fine when it does start getting to her.
Dante doesn't bother glancing to where his brother leans against the fireplace mantle. Rocky has long made his opinions clear and that he thinks Dante is a damned fool who should still be treated like a toddler.
Angel has maintained her position near the kitchen door. She hasn't chimed in and probably won't. She backs anything Rocky says though Dante still doesn't have enough sense of her to know whether it's because she can't think for herself or because she shares Rocky's and, by extension, her in-laws' opinions.
It's Mum who breaks the seconds of tense silence. "Baby, there's no need to be so harsh."
"It might be harsh but we all know it's the truth."
Dad's face has turned red and only a little of the color is from the straight gin he's been drinking. He's drawn out his wand but is not yet pointing it at Dante. "You aren't too old for a sound thrashing to remind you to respect your parents."
Mum is suddenly on her feet, one hand stretch placatingly at her husband. "Bruno, put the wand away."
Dad sits there fiddling with the wand, acting as though he did not hear her. Dante's hand goes to his own wand just in case.
Mum speaks more harshly. "Bruno! Put it away now. You are not resorting to violence against your own son and in a Muggle local at that."
The reminder that the cabin is Muggle is what has him somewhat reluctantly putting the wand away. Dante's allows the grip on his wand to relax but only slightly as he stands. "I can see we aren't getting anywhere. Again. I'll be going now. Sorry to miss out on supper, Mum."
"Shortly after we met up again after you'd started working at Hogwarts, I made a threat. What if I carry through on it?" Rocky's question is asked very conversationally, in the same manner of someone stating, "I'm fine, thanks. How are you?"
Mum looks confused and asked, "What threat?"
"I told Tag I'd let the school know exactly who he really is."
Dante throws up a hand in exasperation. "Yet again, I ask how is it I am the threat to your existence?"
Slightly calmer than a very short moment ago Dad is the one who responds to that. "If you were with us, your brother would never have felt compelled to make the threat in the first place."
"That's how it's going to be then? Everything's my fault and can only be fixed if I give up what I want just to please the rest of you. It doesn't matter how many times I've told you that I was miserable to the verge of being suicidal. Now, I'm happy and enjoy life. How about this? I tell Hogwarts myself and if I get fired I'll just go out and get another job." He looks to each of them, waiting for at least one of them to make some sort of empathetic response. When none do he shakes his head. "I guess that's it then, Mum, Dad. You no longer had three children and I have no family."
Dante makes for the nearest exit, the cabin's back door his father had entered in through earlier. His mother takes several steps after him, even beseeching, "Baby, please, come sit back down. Garett!"
Not even the sound of his mother calling out his given name, an extreme rarity in their family, stops him. Just outside the door Dante disapparates, unsure of whether he's relieved he's free of the pressure they've had on him or in despair that he can now consider himself an orphan.
Meeting the Headmistress
Author: Mildred
Date: 11-07-12 02:11
"You must be Mildred," Charity Stoughton said with a smile.
The little witch nervously nodded. She had come with her aunt to The Salem Witches' Institute in order to meet the Headmistress, see the school for the first time and take a placement test. Unlike Hogwarts, The Salem Witches' Institute had 8 years and so it would be up to the Headmistress to decide if Mildred would attend the second year, or the third.
"We are very glad to have you here at our school. Salem might be not have Hogwarts' dimension but we sure have the same prestige and the best teachers."
Mildred knew these words were meant to her aunt and not really to her. As Charity Stoughton kept talking about the institute's qualities and features, the little witch looked around to her office. She had been in Dumbledore's office once, in the last school year, and she could not help to start making comparisons.
For a start it seemed that Miss Stoughton did not share the love for portraits of old witches and wizards as Dumbledore. The only paintings in the room represented the school. Mildred recognized the large front of the house that was the institute with its windows and front door. From time to time children appeared in the paintings poking from the school's windows and wave at Mildred. One of them even opened the front door and made her a sign to come in. It seemed they already knew that Mildred was going to be one of them.
While Hogwarts had its own Trophy Room, the cups, medals and other tokens The Salem Witches' Institute had won were displayed at the headmistress' office. It made sense since the school itself was not very big and it would sound frivolous to have a room filled with cups instead of using it as a classroom. Mildred observed the shiny trophies and noticed there was an empty space in one of the many shelves of the display case. Charity Stoughton seemed to notice to where she was looking at because she explained:
"I was saving that spot for the International Quidditch Tournament cup. We reached to the final but Hogwarts beat our team," there was a tone of bitterness in her voice but Mildred could tell the headmistress didn't declare defeat yet.
The little witch knew from time to time there were events between several magical schools around the world and she was sure Miss Stoughton would want to come victorious after another competition against Hogwarts. Mildred could not help to feel horrified: if Salem would face Hogwarts who would she support? Deep down she knew Hogwarts would always be the school of her heart but she didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of her new colleagues. She prayed Merlin for no competition of any sort this school year.
"Mildred, the headmistress asked you a question…" her aunt's voice woke her up back to reality and patiently Miss Stoughton repeated her question asking if Mildred played Quidditch at Hogwarts.
"It is rare for a first year to make the team and we are not allowed to bring our own broomsticks into the castle. But I had flying lessons with Coach Krum, Professor."
"Viktor Krum?"
Mildred nodded in confirmation.
"Well we might not have a Quidditch celebrity as our Flying teacher but you will find Professor Bitfield a very skilled man when it comes to flying techniques. And since our Institute population is not very wide perhaps you will be able to make into one of the Quidditch teams."
Mildred looked at the headmistress in disbelief. She knew she could fly well but she didn't think she had the profile of a Quidditch player. Then a question started to form in her head and beating her shyness she asked:
"How will I be sorted?" there was no Sorting Hat in the office but Mildred saw an old shoe displayed in a little table nearby. She wondered if maybe she would have to put the shoe on her feet to be sorted.
"Here at The Salem Witches' Institute there are no houses. There is no need to add rivalry between the students and everyone gets along very well," again the headmistress was talking more to her aunt than Mildred. "Who needs to have children fighting between each other, just because they wear a snake or a tiger in their uniforms?" Mildred felt the need to correct the Headmistress and tell her it was not snake, but a serpent and no tiger but a lion. But she refrained herself and Miss Stoughton to continue.
"Our population is so small we do not need this nonsense. We are a family. The only time the students are split is when it comes to our three Quidditch teams. But it is not an intense competition as at Hogwarts. Again let me repeat: we are a family."
"That is good," Aunt Helen assured to Miss Stoughton. "Mildred needs stability and a small familiar environment like the one you have at the institute sounds just like what she needs. Not to mention the security…"
"Oh I guarantee you Miss Howard, The Salem Witches' Institute is a very secure place. I am sure Mildred is going to be very happy here."
The little witch found the headmistress' eyes on her. She gave her an anxious smile. In fact the school sounded like a good place to study but to Mildred there was no place like home. And her home was at Hogwarts with her friends.
(South of France) Quiet Contemplation
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 11-07-12 09:15
I think I inherited my father's work ethic. He always said he found work relaxing and vacations stressful. When you're working you have purpose, focus. When you're on vacation you lose those. Of course, my mom would laugh at him and tell him that vacations are so you can focus on family.
I suppose there in lay my problem. I didn't have family here. Actually, I did, but I hadn't been able to get her alone to talk in private. I hadn't had a chance to talk to her since the Fest either. Bronwyn had gotten really good at waiting until no one was around before she started to really pry. However, first day in France, and no such chance had presented itself.
Now it had grown late, and dinner was long since over. People had retreated into their bedrooms. I had spent a while sitting on a balcony looking out into the ocean, before retreating into my room. Looks like, somehow, I didn't have to share my room. Everyone else had arrived in pairs, except me. Well, Driver wouldn't have either.
I hadn't seen Driver since the Fest, not that I actually went looking for him. He hadn't arrived with the rest of the Morgans either. He must still be really upset over what happened. I don't know what set him off. It was when Orion slipped the note in my pocket. Maybe he saw things differently, but that doesn't explain his overreaction.
Speaking of the note, I pulled it out o my pocket. I didn't need to open the note to know what it said. I had the note memorized. It was the formal transfer offer. All I had to do at this point was say 'yes' and I would be transferred to the Department of Mysteries.
I hadn't even gotten back to Orion about his original offer, but he had gone ahead and started the process. With what happened right before I left for France, it's obvious where he stands on the transfer. The jerk knew I couldn't help but think about his 'parting gift' on vacation. I bet he had it planned that way from the start.
Well, I wasn't going to. I wasn't going to let Orion ruin the first vacation I've had since the three months of unpaid leave over a year ago. But...
Nyoko Never Learns
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 11-07-12 14:18
Arriving at her parents' home Kissy knocks on the front door. When no one answers, she goes around to the back. There, she finds her mother and sister-in-law in front of a large easel with a large drawing on it as her nephew Kazuki plays and niece Emi dozes. "Hello, Mum. Akina. I wasn't sure anyone was home. Mum, do you have the notes we took at the caterers. I can't find them and Cameron and I have to get a finalized menu in by five."
"Just a moment, Kissy." Nyoka replies without having turned from the easel. To Akina she asks, "You really think the Mortensons should go at the same table as the Yamashitas?"
"They have been on good terms lately, unless that's all for show in public. No, on second thought perhaps the Yamashitas should be at the same table as your cousin Bachiko."
"Excellent suggestion."
Nyoka sticks some little pieces of stiff paper or cardboard beside a circle on the large drawing. Only then does Kissy pay attention to exactly what the large drawing is and that what her mother stuck to it have names and there are similar such pieces stuck all over the drawing, which is comprised mostly of circles though there are a few rectangles, squares, and even a couple of ovals.
"Mum? What is this?"
Nyoka shakes her head. "Nothing, Kissy. Now, what is it you're wanting?"
"The notes we made at the caterer's tasting, and to know what this is."
Akina looks to Nyoka and shrugs. "You might as well tell her. She'd find out soon enough."
"I was hoping it would be much later, perhaps when we are entering the reception hall."
Kissy, having a very good idea of what is on that easel, makes a serious effort to keep her temper in check. "Why are you working on a massive seating chart, Mother?"
"I personally feel that assigned seating at a reception works much better than allowing everyone to aimlessly roam around in search of the friends with whom they most wish to sit."
"Cameron's and my reception is not big enough to warrant such a massive seating chart."
"Yes, about that," Nyoka says a strange little smile on her face. "You see, Kissy, I added a few names to the invitation list."
"You did what? How many, Mum?"
"Not that many, only a few."
"Your chart does not look like you are only planning on a few more than what Cameron's and my list held."
Kissy moves in closer to the easel, counting the names and tables. When done she notes, "You seem to have quite a few empty tables."
Akina holds up a small box filled with more of the name cards. "We'd not gotten very far."
"How long have you known that Mum added to the invitation list, Akina?"
Her sister-in-law hems and haws before admitting, "I helped her write the longer list and do the invitations; and, I've been the one accepting their RSVPs."
Kissy needs a moment or she will scream in anger at them both. Her jaw is so tight it's a wonder she can ask again, "Do you have those caterer notes, Mum?"
"Yes, on the kitchen table."
Kissy goes inside where after locating the notes, she takes several deep, calming breaths only to find the technique is not working all that well. She will just have to bear in mind that one young child would definitely hear anything she said if she raises her voice at Nyoko and Akina, and possibly two if Emi were to wake up.
Returning to where the other two women are once again studying the seating chart, Kissy takes one more deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Mum, what is the exact number you are expecting to the wedding and reception now?"
"Oh, around 550."
"The original list was for under 100. You said you only added a few more names."
"I did if you consider the list had swelled to nearly 1,000. I trimmed it."
"You didn't pause to consult either me or Cameron?"
"Not when I knew you would say no."
"Exactly, I would have said no. Did it not occur to you that because I would have said no, then you should not have invited all these extra people to MY wedding?"
Nyoka looks to Akina. "Did I not predict her reacting this way?"
"Mother, if you knew I would say no and you knew I would react this way, THEN THAT IS YOUR EFFING CLUE TO NOT DO IT." Not having meant to shout, Kissy reigns in to that chilling calmness she'd been displaying up till then. "Mother, Akina, you will write to all those people and explain your error. If you wish to hold a party at some date after the wedding with these people invited, Cameron and I would be most happy to attend. Our wedding will be on the smallish side as will the reception, which will be held in the smaller venue we chose. I am now going to meet with Cameron to decide upon the menu for the reception and we will get our selection to the caterer this afternoon where we will be ordering food for no more than 100 people. If either of you wish to be part of the wedding and be in attendance at the reception, you will stop your interfering and going behind my back. If the day of my wedding arrives and more than those on the original list begin showing up, I will ban you on the spot, got it?"
Akina, looking down at the box of names plates, gives a slight nod. "Yes, Kissy. I'm sorry."
Nyoko, on the other hand, looks at Kissy straight on. "I cannot uninvite my frieds. What will they think?"
"Frankly, Mum, I don't give a damn. It's your mess, fix it."
Kissy steps back a few feet and disapparates, angry enough to be a splinching hazard.