Winter Picnic (Bryony)

[Deleted]

(Okay, setting it up where it begins with interaction between Merville /Lotus and Bryony, then will go into interaction between Bryony and Silvia with everyone together at the end if that's cool?)

Most people preferred picnics in the spring, summer, and perhaps autumn. The Moonberrys weren't most people. True, they often had picnics the rest of the year, but at least a couple of times in the winter, Merville and Lotus traveled to Hogsmeade with the family dog Buttercup and invited Silvia and Bryony to travel up from school to have lunch at a covered picnic area on the outskirts of the village.

Silvia was already there, reunited with Buttercup and off in the woods with her happy Rottweiler as her parents prepared the food. Well, her mother was preparing it. Merville had decided to bring his work with him and was tinkering with a small contraption while wearing a pack of thick goggles.

"Merville, why ever did you bring that silly thing along?" chuckled Lotus as she laid out the sandwiches and a variety of interesting side dishes.

"Hmm..." said Merville, looking up. "Oh... well I was about to leave it be before we left and then I remembered I put the wrong screw in the lower right side and with the wrong screw I don't know how the instant shaving lotion is going to..." The lotion fired out and sprayed his goggles. "Come out. Well, that solves that little enigma. I believe I had the right screw to begin with."

BRYONY CATE MOONBERRY

[BRYONY CATE MOONBERRY]

Afternoon was fast approaching but Bryony was still in the slytherin sixth years' girl dorm. Standing beside her bed in loos fitting pajamas the sixteen year old sighed as she looked at the small pile of clothing she had gathered on bed before looking down at her stomach. Bryony had always been a petite girl, years of dance had helped keep her figure trim, so much for all that work now. She pressed her hands against the small bump that had taken shape of her lower abdomen, something one could easily mistake for her having carelessly indulged in a few too many sweets; but Bryony knew better. Six weeks, eight at most they told her so why was it that everything was already feeling tight? It was too early for this problem, wasn't it? They said she had time before this would be an issue, that most didn't have to worry about showing until after twelve weeks. "Couldn't just give me one more month, could you little Sherwood?" She whispered softly as she pushed her hand across her stomach.

It took the better part of an hour for her to find a dress that fit loosely enough that she didn't feel as if it might burst at the seams should she eat or drink anything and some leggings to fight off the cold of the lingering winter. She might have bothered Preston with her clothing issues were it not for the fact that she had plans - and she wasn't sure where he was today. Knowing she was running late Bryony hurried off the village to meet up with her cousin, aunt, and her uncle. In the years prior Bryony had found herself looking forward to this silly little tradition, but today she found herself nervous. Food so often was disagreeing with her and her aunt had some very unusual recipes. Only having recently broke the knew to her father of her condition Bryony wasn't sure how to go about telling the rest of her family members, it didn't help that Preston was already concerned about what could happen if the wrong people found out. Why did she have to go for the complicated guy?

It was a long walk to the picnic area, it was easy to spot her Aunt and Uncle from a far seeing as they were the only family out for a picnic today - there was no denying that some in hr family were stranger than most, but she loved them no less for it. She pulled her jacket tighter around her body as she felt herself becoming more nervous about this picnic. Bryony took a deep breath and pushed her nerves down, she could do this, it was just her Aunt and Uncle, and Silvia - it wasn't like she had to tell them today, and even when she did - well they didn't know the dark truths about Preston so it wasn't as if she had to worry about them thinking too much less of her...right?

She shook away the thoughts, she was getting carried away with her thinking again. Always trying to find a way to save her own face and skin - her slytherin colors really were starting to show through these days it seemed. She approached the picnic area with a wave and a small smile "Hiya Uncle Merville, Auntie Lotus!" She greeted with a certain level of enthusiasm. As she made her way under the covering she eyed the table that her Aunt had set hoping she would be able to keep her stomach easy through the meal. Her eyes snapped back to her Uncle and she cocked her head to the side as she noted his lotion covered goggles. "Wrong charm?" She inquired softly. At least it was just lotion and he hadn't exploded anything - this time.

words: 635
tag: @merville
notes: whatever works.

[Deleted]

Merville wiped the lotion away with a handkerchief when he heard the familiar voice of his niece. Merville cared a great deal for Bryony. Bryony was of course like a sister to Silvia, and whenever she visited, Merville and Lotus treated her like a daughter. He formed a big smile of amusement when she asked "Wrong charm?"

"No... right screw, I just didn't know it," he said. "I think the shaving lotion just needed the proper motivation to come out. It's my latest invention, a portable shaving kit. There's a small drawer attacked for a razor and a small tube of aftershave." He showed her the box. "With the proper shrinking spell, it can fit into your pocket until you need it, and then of course when you do need, just use a spell that..."

Lotus lightly cleared her throat and Merville knew what she was doing. He put the invention away and removed his goggles.

"Hello Bryony, how are you?" he asked, taking his niece's hands. "I'm delighted you could join us for the picnic."

"I made some of your favorites, dear," said Lotus, showing some of the dishes to her niece.

"Silvia wandered off into the woods with Buttercup, but should be back soon," he said. "She's looking for crane flies. Lovely creatures, and can survive quite well in the winter."

BRYONY CATE MOONBERRY

[BRYONY CATE MOONBERRY]

Bryony's face held a small endearing smile as her uncle went on to explain his invention. Many of her uncles inventions had puzzled her, but much like her father there was always a certain glint in his eye about his work - something that was hard to ignore. She glanced to her Aunt and a faint grin spread across her face as a sort of 'thanks' for saving her from too much more of an explanation of her uncles invention, not that she wasn't often curious about his works but that wasn't what today was meant to be about. When she felt her Uncle take up her hands instinctively Bryony squeezed his affectionately as her gaze fell back upon him.

"Of course, I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Though I'm sorry I got here a bit late I - overslept." She wondered if her excuse sounded as lame to her Aunt and Uncle as it did to herself. "I'm alright, classes and homework are keeping me busy." Among other things... At her Aunt's mention of making some of her favorite dishes Bryony's eyes fluttered over to the table, getting a better look she could spot a number of dishes that she did enjoy very much - tomato and rosemary palmiers, what appeared to be a quiche of sorts, and was that a plum cake?

Bryony let go of her Uncles hands and offered a small smile before moving closer to her aunt and the picnic table wanting to see what else her aunt had prepares. "It looks amazing Auntie." Bryony spoke with a sense of awe almost as she took in the set. It was funny how she could forget how hungry she was after suffering so much nausea these past few days. Maybe what she really needed was just a home cooked meal. Of course she still felt a little wary. Looking to Lotus, Bryony found herself wondering many things. What if her aunt could tell? Werewolves were said to have heighten senses, even Silvia could hear things Bryony couldn't, smell things, taste - and Lotus was a mother herself, would she see the signs that Bryony hardly knew how to mask? Would it really be all that bad?

Lotus after all Was not Flora. It was sad that the idea of telling her aunt was more comforting than telling her own mother. Maybe it was because Lotus was a muggle and had no magic so she didn't have to worry about being hexed into an early grave for her foolish choices. Or maybe it was just because Lotus had shown her so much compassion and support over the years she had become more than just her Uncle's wife. Bryony's lips curled into a soft smile - if she kept thinking like that she was going to make herself cry for no bloody reason and how was she to explain that? "Really amazing." She repeated, if only she knew how to say everything that she actually wanted to say.

At the mention of Siliva and Buttercup Bryony gave a small laugh, "Sure she wont be off for a while?" Silvia and her adventures...how was it that she couldn't have stayed like her? Blissfully innocent. "I'm not sure who gets more excited to see who, her or Buttercup." Bryony mused softly doing her best to keep her mind from drifting to places it didn't need to be. Today was about being a Moonberry, and enjoying the company of her extended family. She could worry about the future and her choices later.

words:588
tag: @merville

[Deleted]

Bryony never had to make excuses to Merville. He recalled how it was to be young. He simply smiled at her and shook his head.

"It's quite alright, Bryony," he said. "You're here now, and that's what's important."

Lotus smiled at her niece when Bryony complimented the food.

"Thank you, my dear," she said. "I hope you enjoy it." Lotus smiled warmly before going back to setting things up.

Merville was about to respond regarding Silvia and Buttercup when Buttercup came running out of the woods and toward Bryony. He had heard her voice from a good ways off. He barked happily as she made his way over, anxious to see the girl. Silvia was behind him, smiling that Bryony was there. Like her father, it didn't bother her whatsoever that her cousin was late in getting there.

"Well, we are all here," said Merville. "Shall we begin? I'm quite famished."

(Will play as Silvia after this.)

BRYONY CATE MOONBERRY