Home is Where the Heart is

Presents [Semi-Canon]

"Isobel? What's got you running around at this time of day? I thought you were in the dining hall getting lunch." Stopping slowly from her sprint down the halls of the order, she made sure that she kept her hold on the package in her hands.

"Do you know where uncle Awystaw is?" Speaking up, she bounced on her feet carefully, her red hair bouncing around her shoulders as it was out of its ties for once.

"I believe he's near the lounge, I think he's with Miranda right now." Nodding, she turned to sprint in that direction, her dress just long enough to not catch her feet and trip her up. Stopping just short of the doorway to the lounge, she caught her breath for a moment and pulled some of her hair behind her ear before she took light steps into the room, her dress shoes making soft taps against the floor as she entered the room.

"Isobel! What do we owe the pleasure of having the birthday girl herself join us today?" Hearing the man she had been searching for address her, she moved to stop right in front of where he sat on the sofa, both hands still clutching the box in her grasp. Taking a deep breath, she didn't notice the other people in the doorway, even if her daddy wasn't being sneaky in the slightest.

"Happy Birthday uncle Awystaw!" Holding out the box toward the older man, she tried to give her best smile as she waited for him to take it. It took a few moments for him to do that, stunned silence having caught the room. She hopped up onto the sofa opposite of Miranda to wait for him to open the gift, the skirt of her dress puffing up under her. She finally heard more people enter the room to see what was happening, but she didn't pay them any mind as she waited for her uncle to open his present from her. She watched as the garment was lifted from the box, sitting patiently as she waited for a reaction to the black and crimson fabric that was now being held up.

Jumping a little in startled shock as she saw tears in the man's eyes, she felt bad, thinking that he didn't like the gift. "I sowwy, pease don't cry uncle Awys, pease don't be sad." She couldn't help how she teared up, obviously thinking that she had done something wrong. Feeling herself being pulled into a hug, she blinked a few times.

"I'm not upset miss Isobel, just surprised and happy. Thank you, though I don't know how you knew I used to wear a cloak like this." Blinking a few seconds, she beamed at how she was thanked, hugging back as best as she could before bouncing a little. Pushing back from the hug, she was careful as she tried to wipe up the tears with her little fingers, blinking as she was handed a handkerchief to use instead.

"Daddy helped me, he told me how you used to wear them before I was born." Grinning, she let herself be helped down from the couch, watching as her uncle stood up after her.

"Would you help me put it on please?" Gasping softly, she nodded enthusiastically, hearing a laugh from by the doorway.

"I've got you little 'Bel, just hold it for a moment." Giggling softly, she held the cloak she had grabbed from the packaging carefully, kicking her feet a little as she was picked up by her waist by her daddy. Letting the fabric unfold with gravity, she put it onto her uncle's shoulders, still holding onto the pieces of ribbon that needed to be tied. It took her a few tries to get a sturdy bow, but the moment she took her hands away and the cloak stayed in place she clapped her hands, being set back onto the floor.

From there she led Arystar to the dining hall, having given everyone enough time to set up for both of their birthdays. It was one of her favorite years.