who will be coming?

[small_magics]

Aianon has made a plant in the open airless space above the surface of Thilanushinyel. It is a very, very large plant - some dragons will be attending the party, after all, even if Ansharil in particular is going to be assorted small things and stay on Sarion's person the bulk of the time.

The locals will be Sarion, her beloveds, their other beloved, the five conjured dragons (and their Bondmates, where applicable: Virgivere and Lissa), and Liselen - Magania has, as usual, declined, and so far no Bell party has featured Bell parents.

Amariah is bringing her boyfriend and spontaneous daughter and two of the spontaneous daughter's friends, as well as an Alethian instance of the Rupert template.

Shell Bell is bringing Pearl and Screwdriver.

Golden is bringing her usual large contingent, as usual not including her husband but including her daughter and daughter's grown fosterling (the other remaining at home) and his wolf, both mothers-in-law and one father-in-law, adopted siblings, staff members including the Joker and Nathan, and the children of the aforementioned.

Glass is bringing both wives, all three daughters, Kanim, and her cat. She invited Icarin and Valeria, but their parents are not willing to let them gallivant into other worlds unsupervised and had a scheduling conflict.

Stella's bringing a smattering of people including Alice, Anna, Sandy, Libby, Bridget, her college roommate Janine, and Lazarus.

Tab is bringing Aelise (but not Kers) and Luhan.

Etty is bringing only Nona.

Aether, likewise, brings no one but Celo.

Pattern comes with Ripper, Slipstick, Queenie, and Ghosty.

Aegis is accompanied by her four-bodied boyfriend, Merryweather, Whitlock, and Howlett.

Aurora comes with Brilliance, Lexi with her Device Persica, Agent Honey with her Device Adularia, and Beth.

Rose brings her husband and three children and her former apprentice, Luc.

Angela brings her husband, her four children, several of her friends, and some of those friends' children and grandchildren with and without wings. Keziah also brings a friend.

Juliet shows up with Soph, Minus, Red, Giles, James, Virginia, Minnie, Ike, and Val.

Cam brings Jellybean and Tilly and stops there.

And from unBelled worlds hail additional Sherlocks and Tonies, Darcy, Matilda, Pepper, and Eights.

Comments

[tearingup]

Ripper laughs, kisses her cheek again, and steals it back. "Say that where a Joker can hear you; I think I want to try that cake," he says cheerfully.

[bellfounding]

"Ooh, will do. Yum."

[jellyinthemix]

Someone emerges into the room from the archway at the back, and says, "Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt—"

[tearingup]

—at the same time as Ripper glances back to see who it is—

[jellyinthemix]

—at which point Giles drops his tea.

[bellfounding]

Pattern rescues the tea. "Hello there," she says.

[jellyinthemix]

"Hello," he says. "Sorry." He sets the rescued tea down carefully on one of the small convenient tables, never taking his eyes off Ripper.

[tearingup]

"...You all right?" says Ripper, concerned. "You look like I'm about to explode. Or you are. You look like at least one of us is about to explode."

[bellfounding]

"Pretty sure neither of you are gonna explode. Ripper, this is Giles. Giles, Ripper; I'm sure Juliet managed to explain him in between uproarious laughter."

[jellyinthemix]

"She did mention something, yes. I'm sorry, I didn't expect—I didn't realize—" He shakes his head and trails off.

[tearingup]

"Sit down," Ripper suggests. "Take a minute."

[jellyinthemix]

He installs himself on the nearest cozy bench and picks up his tea.

[bellfounding]

Pattern glances between them, curiously.

[tearingup]

"Is this the sort of thing you want to talk about or the sort you want to ignore until it goes away?"

[jellyinthemix]

Giles snorts.

"Not sure," he says. "Tea first."

[tearingup]

"All right."

[bellfounding]

"Do you two want me around for this, or should I wade back into the throng and leave you be?"

[jellyinthemix]

"...You must be—er, Pattern?" says Giles.

[bellfounding]

"That's me, yeah."

[jellyinthemix]

"Good to meet you," he says, not without irony.

[bellfounding]

"Yeah, we've been at the same parties before but never really talked," she snorts.

[jellyinthemix]

"I'm sure I've made a wonderful first impression."

[bellfounding]

"The tea dropping? Nah. I am accustomed to occasional tea-dropping." She elbows Ripper, a little.

[tearingup]

Ripper giggles and gives her a little one-armed hugsquish.

[jellyinthemix]

Giles observes this interaction.