Bachelorette parties were not something to which Sylvia was terribly familiar, though she had attended some few upon her first few years arrival into Rhydin. However, in light of Sianna?s kindness to Maeve as well as the acquaintance formed at Hogmanay, Sylvia felt it was quite appropriate to host such a party and she enlisted Kiema, who was still in town, in the preparations.

Sylvia arrived at the Silver Lark in the carriage and stepped down to knock upon the door. When Sianna opened the door, her groom earlier taken by the well intentioned fellows, Sylvia sparked a smile, and announced. ?Time for you to be kidnapped, Sianna. Lock this place up and join me at Yearling Brook with your soon to be family and the ever extending circle of friends.?

The scottish woman chuckled softly and glanced down to her rather informal appearance. "I should hae seen something like this coming and changed tae something more festive, aye?" A smile of thankfulness as she gathered her wrap from a peg and the ring of keys from the hall table. The door clicked behind with a sturdy flip of the lock. "I hope ye did no' go tae much trouble ower all this, Sylvia, but I am verra touched by yer kindness, aye?"

Sylvia smiled, easing the woman's mind and ushered her into the awaiting carriage. As it rolled northward, Sylvia kept the conversation easy by practice with comments of a typical nature. There was no reason to make a woman more on edge than necessary. It took her back to her night before many years ago, being alone, and while certain she was doing the right thing, her mind tripping up questions. It was, Sylvia thought, perhaps the best thing to have a party just to keep some of those irritating self doubts at bay a little longer.

The carriage rolled to a stop at the guest house on Yearling Brook manor. "I promise, Sianna, we will not let you do something too outrageous. Besides, we're at Yearling Brook and our lips are sealed." Sylvia smiled as she escorted the lady into the parlor of Yearling Brook guest house where the other guests had already gathered: among them, Kiema, Juliane, Katarina, and Storm. Maeve had wanted to take part, but the day had been a busy one with all the Yransea people gathered again on the grounds to share news and let the children play together.

"Aye, but who will be keeping ye from th' outrageous things, Sylvia dearie?" She chuckled as she entered the party ahead of her captor. It seemed what happened at Yearling Brook stayed at Yearling Brook.

"Not a soul, but then I'm not getting wed tomorrow." She gives smiles to others there and goes to get Sianna a drink. "What would you like to drink?"

"Just a water, if ye dinna mind. Sparkling will be fine, if ye have it." Another chuckle to Sylvia's remark before she offered a wave around the room, feeling rather on display.

"Sparkling water it is, but honestly, dear, we aren't going to get you drunk." Sylvia poured the sparkling water in a glass and brought it over.

Kiema frowned from her place on a couch, and then leaning back with a too bright smile. "We aren't? Well that's just tragic."

"I will not stop your attempt." Storm whispered over to Kiema with a grin.

"I dinna think ye are, but would be easy for me ta have a glass of scotch tae settle my nerves and then another." A wide grin as she lifted her glass to Kiema. "I appreciate yer sentiments, but am grateful, aye?"

"And you," Sylvia turned on Kiema, "No riffling through people's feelings either."

The tall blonde laughed openly, the spanse of her grin a clear duplicate of the absent groom-to-be.

"Si!" Katarina was the first one to spot the bride-to-be, and was already dragging Juli to go and greet her.

Kiema's bright smile widened. "We will be certain you arrive on time to your wedding, drunk or not."

"Preferably not. We do not wish Johnny to have to hold his wife straight during their vows." Storm chuckled softly.

"Aye, but what sort of fright will I be if'n I'm drunk? No' a verra fine way tae enter matrimony, is it?" A wink to Kiema. "And dinna think I missed yer statement, Storm dearie."

"Yeah, if'n he can stand up under his own power himself." Juliane remarked.

"I did not say I would encourage." Storm laughed lightly before taking a sip of her own water.

"They kin lean 'gainst each otha." Katarina flashed a grin.

Sylvia gave Sianna a sympathetic smile. "I do know well the nerves before a wedding, but if you think about the after wedding part it certainly makes it easier."

"Kates, we have a hard enough time gettin' 'em from being attached at th' hip as it is!" Juliane smirked in response.

"He'll be attached a'.. nevamind." She kept the rest of her comment sealed behind a saucy grin.

Sianna colored a bit. "Aye, erm... well." She coughed and took a sip of her water. "Thank ye all for yer advice."

"Ooh, yes," Kiema could not rid herself of the wicked grin, "the after wedding is just what I was thinking of when I found this."

Storm simply grinned and did not further tease Sianna with the rest of them.

Kiema pulled out a wrapped package, the paper fine, the ribbon delicate, and offered it to Sianna. "It seems to be the thing in one of the shops here, but I swear I don't know how that would go over in Anria."

At the surprise package, Storm raised a brow at Kiema, saying "what did you buy?" with only her look.

Turning her attention to the "this" Kiema mentioned, she accepted the package gratefully. Moving to sit on a nearby ottoman, the water was sat down on a coaster, ends of ribbons tugged free.

"Oh, open it!" Katie encouraged with a silly grin.

"Ooooh! Presents already?" Juliane stepped closer to get a better view.

"An' dun break th' string er else tha's how many kids ya'll have." Katie grinned.

Sianna?s touch to the package now resembled someone handling a live snake, gingerly moving so as not to break any strings just yet. Paper and tissue were folded back to reveal what awaited inside. When the package was revealed a slinky, but tasteful negligee of a deep blue, the straps thin satin with a mark of lace for the top and hem that would reach her thigh.

Katarina joined her cousin to get right up to Si to watch the opening process.

She smiled and lifted the garment, turning it around so that all might see it fully. Her cheeks were tinged with healthy color, but she was not naive and could take the ribbing in stride. "Thank ye verra much, Kiema. 'Tis lovely and ... " Her thought was left unsaid.

"That is a darling color." Storm offered in hopes of easing any of Sianna's embarrassment. She did however have to hid a smile in a sip of her water.

"And she's sure as all get out tha' Jo will like it even more." Juliane grinned again before a sip of her cider.

"An' Johnny will thank ya lata." Katarina finished Sianna's sentence for her.

"Always nice to have something for the mood, particularly when the last thing on your mind will be making music the typical way." Lively green eyes revealed the mirth Kiema was feeling.

Katie snickered and nudged Juli as they had the same thoughts.

Sylvia laughed, "I do not recall needing such on my wedding night." A sip of her glass of port.

Sianna offered a cheeky face to her future cousins and turned her gaze to Sylvia and then Kiema. "And what makes ye think that anything is ever typical wi' us, aye?"

Placing a finger in each ear, Juliane began to speak in a loud, off-key, sing-song voice. "Don't tell me anymore, yeah? Too much information I tell ya!"

Kiema laughed and reached to Juliane for a pat to her arm. "Disturbing to think of your twin that way is it?"

"Jules!" Katie grimaced at the off-keyed plea, "C'mon now, we could use th' lessons." She acted like she was taking notes.

Storm watched the playful bantering, and leaned over to Kiema, "Look what you have started." To which Kiema replied with a wiggle of brows.

"More than ya can imagine, Kiema. Some things a twin just don't need ta know, yeah?"

Sylvia took a little more consideration. "Yes, yes, of course. Less ribald humor and innuendo." Though the flash of violet eyes might say otherwise.

"So, Sianna, are you going off together afterwards or is that not of your tradition?" Sylvia decided to turn the conversation a bit.

Storm looked between the two cousins, licking her lips to contain a grin, "I will keep that in mind, Katarina. Though, I must agree with Sylvia."

"Aye, that's certainly true enough. And on more than just that level too." Another sip of her water before Sianna answered the question posed. "No' right awa'. There's th' reception and then we'll celebrate Beltane at home."

"Oh, that is right, I forgot of Beltane. Do you know where you are going or is that not to be told?" That same impish grin and glint to her eyes.

Katarina let the subject drop, finishing off her pretzels and moving to the table to get her own handful.

"Hey, bring me some too, yeah? Ya pretzel stealer." Juliane giggled into her cider.

"Who says I wanna share?" However, Katie grabbed the bowl and held it out to Juliane.

"It's a suprise ta me. Jo's been real secretive 'bout it." Long fingers tucked some curls back behind one ear.

"I am sure it will be a wonderful trip." Storm smiled to Sianna.

"That's exciting." One slender black brow rose at the thrill of a mystery.

Taking a handful, Juliane retorted, "I didn' know ya had a choice, yeah?" Flinging a wink Katarina's direction.

"I hope so. Never travelled off world before and Jo's seen some pretty amazing places. I'm looking forward tae it, aye?" Sianna smiled warmly.

Kiema, more of the wicked style, leaned forward, "So, a game tonight? What say you?" Her gaze went from one to another.

"Who am I tae say no tae a game at my own party, eh?" A nervous chuckle.

Storm recognized that wicked glint, "What kind of game?"

Katarina returned the wink, putting the bowl back down, "I'm good fer a game."

"What're th' rules?" Juliane?s curiosity piqued, quietly munching a pretzel.

Fingers steepled together and Kiema narrowed eyes. "There is always Tell me No Lies game." Sylvia gave Kiema a look at that one, but Kiema affected some justified innocence. ?What? I so rarely get to have a night with just girls. What's the harm?"

"The harm is if you make a dare that gets Sianna a broken bone." Sylvia warned.

"No dangerous dares." Kiema's hand up in solemn promise.

The look from Sylvia rose Storm's suspicion. "Yes, what are the rules?"

"Sounds pretty self-explanatory, if'n ya ask me." Juliane took a final sip of cider. "But who decides if th' answers a lie or no'?"

For once keeping silent, Katarina munched away at her pretzels and was about to ask for clearer instructions, but Juli's statement kept her from asking and feeling silly.

"Aye, no broken bones fer me. Would hate tae spend th' whole night at th' healer's." Placing the present behind her, hands clasped, arms resting on her knees.

"The rules are a person says two things about themselves. One is truth and one is a lie. The rest of us have to guess which is the lie." Kiema smiled. It was, she had to admit, a game she had heard her nieces playing, and had convinced Sylvia to play it once in a late night. "If one of us guesses correctly, then the person telling the lie must suffer a dare. If the person guesses incorrectly, they suffer the dare."

"Has Jo said anythin' 'bout th' breakfasts she makes?" Katie looked to Juli.

Sylvia eyed the bardess as she spoke, trying to decipher the truth and the lie.

"Wha' makes ya think he'd ever mention it?"

"'Cause he's Jo?" Katarina gave a hopeful look.

Daring to be the first guesser. "I will give it a guess. The second is a lie."

"I think she is good enough to sing for the Queen." Storm not even knowing that Sianna's homeland had queens. "I will guess the second is a lie also."

Blinking benignly, her facade broken as Sylvia answered correctly. "Aye, ye have it. What sort of Scot would I be tae sae ruin a fine bowl of parritch."

"What shall my penance be, aye?"

"Storm guessed as well, so I will let her call the penalty. I would be a poor hostess to claim a bit against you."

Katarina was still tripped up on what "parritch" was. She had a feeling the game was going to only become more difficult.

Lifting folded hands as if to plead for mercy, Sianna gave Storm one of her sweetest smiles.

Storm blinked as Sylvia nominated her to be the punisher. "I do not think anyone would frown upon your punishment, Sylvia." She gave a cheeky grin.

"I think an experienced player should give the first punishment to give an example to the rest of us."

"Ohhhh. Tha' must be th' oatmeal. He's mentioned... tha' before." Juliane chuckled as she remembered a morning when Johnny was particularly uncomfortable at the Studio.

"Yeah?" Katie was trying to listen to her cousin and see what Sianna's punishment was at the same time.

"Very well. Sianna," she smiled, "your penalty is to sing out of tune for five measures."

Storm tried not to wrinkle her nose at the punishment, as it seemed punishment for more than just Sianna. It was her own fault.

"Oh, but can she do it!" Kiema laughed, knowing too well how it hurt the soul.

Her head buried in her hands.

"C'mon Si! Serenade me!" Katie grinned and teased.

"You must pay the penalty! Twa corbies!" Kiema suggested.

"She can choose her own song." Sylvia corrected Kiema's suggestion.

"Jus' pretend yer imitatin' Jo or I, yeah? Ya'll do it real well."

She shot Sylvia a look of thanks before singing a clear note and intentional slipping her voice down two quarter tones. "My bonnie lies o'er th' ocean, my bonnie lies o'er th' sea... My bonnie lies o'er th' river sae bring back my bonnie tae me." It was painful, to say the least, and Sianna's face twitched at a particularly ungodly interval. A sigh of relief escaped her as the debt was paid.

The corner of Storm's left eye twitched as the notes rubbed harshly against her sensitive ears.

"Tha' was beautiful!" Katie faked a swoon over to Juli.

"Ohh, she imitated ya instead, Kates! Bravo!" Tickling her cousin's side.

"She did a good job o; it!" She laughed and flinched away from the tickling fingers.

"Aye, and now 'tis someone else's turn." Closing her eyes and wiggling her finger in the air until it came to land on Sylvia.

Sylvia laughed. "I have a sister. A half sister. I have only been in twenty campaigns, and half of those were, as you said, short."

"C'mon Si, dun leav' me all 'lone."

"Well, dang." Katarina laughed, "So, now 'm punished, yeah?"

"No, silly. Sylvia's punished for havin' th' lie guessed."

"I guess th' firs' one, slick." Flicks her last pretzel to her cousin.

"So, what is my penalty?" asked of her accuser.

Storm frowned slightly, "So are both Sylvia and Katarina punished, then?"

Kiema piped up. "You know, we could have the person to rights each time if we all guess the opposite of another. Perhaps, to make it fair, we should all agree on which is the lie."

"No," Sylvia smiled to Storm, "we removed the punishment for the false guess."

"Yeah, I like tha." Of course, Katie liked that answer so she was saved.

Storm mouth "ah" at her own confusion.

It was getting muddy for Sianna too. "Verra well. Kiema, gie Sylvia her punishment."

"Wait, was it not you who came up with the right guess?" Sylvia turned to Sianna.

Storm nodded to confirm Sylvia's question.

"Just because I said it does no' mean that Kiema did no' ken th' answer as well, aye?" She was scrambling, unsure of what to assign the hostess as a punishment.

Kiema got up from her seat and snuck over to Sianna to whisper in her ear, "Make her do a handstand for a whole minute."

Storm picked up the whisper, but her face did not give it away.

"Um, Sylvia... ye have tae stand on yer hands fer a whole minute."

Trying very hard to reign in her giggles.

Kiema slunk back to her seat, and grinned on the announcement.

"You have no mercy." Storm told Kiema with a cheeky grin.

Slicing a look to Kiema, Sylvia shook her head and then laughed. "Blazying pyres, I've not done this in years." She stood up and went to the better space of the hallway.

Kiema smiled to Storm. "I so rarely get to be in the position of telling her what to do. It is a bit thrilling."

"I kin hold yer legs if ya wan'." Katie said with an open snicker.

Rather certain she was missing out on an inside joke, she followed to the hallway just the same. Not about to miss out on such a feat.

"Just don't let me crack my skull open," she laughed. With a deep breath, her stomach muscles tightened, she kicked into a handstand.

"I have a pillow for yer head." Calling out as she snatched one from the divan, moving out into the hallway with the rest.

Storm laughed and rolled her eyes at Kiema, but she moved so that she could see the handstand.

Her body was like a board, taught. She kept her head in line and then called out, "Who's counting?"

"So, who's nex'?" Katie looked to Sylvia.

"Well, Sianna guessed it, but she has had a turn, so Sianna pick someone to be next."

"I'm th' one that picked ye, Sylvia. Let someone volunteer... or Kiema choose since this game's her little mastermind, aye?"

"Or Kiema could go." Katarina piped up. Kiema was more than willing to go. "I have destroyed a race. I have saved a people."

Sylvia sputtered in her port, took up a napkin to clear up her lips, and gave Kiema a look few could mistake. "Yea okay, Sylvia?" Katie frowned at the sputtering, the look completely missed

Juliane blinked, completely flummoxed by the choices. "Oh Lor' an' Skies...."

Storm already knew the answer, so she kept her answer quiet and looked over to Sylvia.

"Really, Kiema, can't you be a little more lighthearted? You're turning your own game sour."

Kiema had to admit that it was not the best one, but it was the first that came to her mind. "Of course, Sylvia, I will change it." She put a mind to it.

Sylvia smiled to Katie, "Yes, thank you, just a bit surprised." Kiema came up with another one. "Now, I can play eight different instruments. I can sing bears to sleep."

"Those are good ones." Storm grumbled as she thought.

"Why would ya be close 'nough ta bears ta sing ta 'em?" Katie's face twisted again.

"But if ya were gonna be close to 'em, singin' would be a fair option, yeah?" A glance passed to her cousin, all the while biting her lower lip in thought.

"If I saw a bear, I dun think' th' firs' thin' I'd do is sing." The other blonde Smith retorted decidedly.

"Nor I, but music can soothe th' wild beasts, aye?" Sianna tapped a finger to her temple in thought. "I think I'll say th' first is th' lie."

Kiema smiled at the conversation, laughter unable to be contained. Sylvia looked to the others. "Any other votes?"

"I agree with Sianna." Storm voiced. Katie could not get over someone ever singing to a bear, and she clearly thinking that over.

"Yeah, me too. What d'ya think Kates?" Katarina paused another moment before voicing her decision. "I think singin' ta a bear's crazy, bu' eight intstrumen's is really hard. I guess I'll 'gree too."

Kiema sighed, "Alas, I can play eight instruments, more with a bit of time, but I cannot sing a bear to sleep." It was clear she was trying to look forlorn at the lack of ability.

"See?! I knew it was crazy!" Katie gave her cousin and playful nudge. "Than ya should've stuck ta yer guns on it." Nudging back.

"I should hav'. Ya'll ar' distractin' me." Arms were crossed in front of herself as if to ward off any future derailments.

Laughing in triumph, Kiema admitted, "I am a little off center."

"More than eight? Verra impressive, Kiema."

Storm laughed, and slowly shook her head. "I hope you can successfully sing to bears one day."

Respectful nod to the bardess, Kiema lowered her head and her eyes. "Thank you, Sianna. Most are in the same family."

"Fer th' firs' one, I've been 'n ova twenty produc'ions. An' fer th' second one, I've ridden a wil' bull bafore."

"Oh blazing pyres...both of those are plausible." Sylvia frowned trying to puzzle out which one it might be.

Kiema is watching Juliane very close on that one for some hint. As if on cue, the tall blonde's brows furrowed lightly as she began silently counting off the various productions on her fingers.

Storm was nodding alongside Sylvia, trying to picture how long twenty productions would take, and Katie in a dress riding a bull. With a performer's face, Katie gave away nothing.

"Well Jo rode a bull at th' rodeo, but I dinna remember if he said ye did or no'." Sighing softly. "I can only remember eighteen properly." Begins the count over again. The look Katie sent to Juli was obviously written off as "cheater."

Juliane caught the look and shrugged her shoulders, trying to look innocent. "Rememberin' ain't forbidden, twinkles."

Kiema was daring enough to hazzard a guess. "I think it is the bull, not that she couldn't, but she's got the talent to be in twenty productions."

"Is that your guess, Kiema?" Storm was curiously following her logic. "Yes," a firm nod, "That is my guess."

Katarina's expression still gave nothing away, "Any body else?"

Sylvia considered it and then agreed. "I agree, the bull is the..." she stopped from making a pun, "lie."

"I can't decide. I will skip this one." Storm's answer given, four sets of eyes turned to Sianna in question. Brilliant green ones widened as the lightbulb flashed on for Juliane. "Aha! I remembered 'em. Th' bull's my answer." Grinning broadly.

Such an announcement sealed the deal and Sianna nodded in agreement. "I'll throw my lot in wi' the rest of ye."

"Yeah, ya'll er righ'. 've been 'n twnty three produc'ions." She did not seem upset to lose. Instead, Katarina was grinning

"And I've only seen one?" Sylvia pouted. "I feel cheated." A violet eyed wink the prima ballerina. Katie laughed, "Ya'll see more, 'm sure."

"Well, I do hope so." A nod of her head.

"Just my advice," Kiema leaned forward a bit, "skip the bulls. Not so much fun." Not that she could speak from experience. Storm chuckled as well, and finished her water.

Katie grimaced, "Nah, I'd neva ride a wild animal." Her hand lifted to her locket for a moment. Things clicked as Juliane watched Katarina a moment, the movements and expressions enlightening.

As a side conversation while it was settled who was next, she smiled to Sianna and asked softly, "Ready for tomorrow?"

"Aye, I think I am, but canna seem ta shake th' feeling that something verra important is being overlooked." A slow smile, grateful for the woman's kindness... for the friendship.

"I am sure everything will be perfect for your big day." Storm smiled reassuringly.

"Well, I will be there and so will Maeve. We will see everything is fine." Sylvia was not going to put pressure, but offering the assistance to ease the woman's mind.

The scottish woman perked a bit at news of her former "patient". "She felt well enough tae attempt th' journey?" Katie fell silent for the moment, her eyes shifting to Sianna.

"She has been here for the past few days." Storm smiled warmly. She chuckled. "I would've stopped tae see her if I'd known, aye?"

Long fingers covered Juliane's mouth, a small yawn escaping behind them.

"It is not just for tomorrow, Sianna." Storm reached to pat Sianna's knee for a moment. Sylvia gave a nod the question, and to Storm's answer. "She is resting upstairs right now." Well, she had been, who knows if she was still.

"'Tis late, I will no' bother her now. There will be time tae visit at th' reception and before we leave." Looking between all the women, her voice grew reflective. "I canna tell ye how much tonight has meant tae me. How much I appreciate kenning ye'll be there for th' twa of us tomorrow."