Locke stood in the doorway momentarily, before doubling back to go outside and stand in the front yard, looking up at the sky. He reached into the canvas tote dangling from his arm and pulled out another bottle of water, to replace the one he'd finished on the way over to Jolyon's place. He uncapped it and took a healthy swig.

The fire was now brisk and snapping in the fire pit. Ewan was joining the kids in a wild dance about it, making mockery of himself which helped with the laughter.

Sianna had grown quiet, thinking to Johnny ill at home and Matty having sacrificed her own revelry with Henderson so that she could be out and about. Listening with half an ear to the gathered group, she couldn't stop herself from soaking in the various artifacts and curiosities nestled here and there throughout the living room.

"Ya go' it." She picked up the basket of glass delicately, before leading the way out to the back patio to set the items down there.

Feeling everyone shift, Sianna moved to gather what pitchers she could and made her way to the patio in the wake of Sylvia and Katie.

Peredhil's eyes shifted to Sianna, before exchanging a quick glance with Juliane. His hand rested lightly against her lower back, gently leading her out towards the back patio in accordance with Sylvia's suggestion.

Storm laughed warmly, and paused before creating a barrier around the fire to watch her husband with the children. It was a tender moment to reflect on before she built a barrier to keep from hands being stuck into the flames, or for the heat to spread too far.

"Sianna, if you show that much interest in that plate when Jolly is here, you will have a five hour lecture coming at you. Come along and join us outside." Sylvia smiled and then laughed at what she saw the children and Ewan were up to.

Katarina glanced around briefly, noting Locke's absence from the group. It was hard not to notice when a blue face was missing. She meandered back into the house to see if she could find him.

"Aye, while it 'tis verra interesting, I dinna think five hours of its history would be verra fitting tae our party." A wry chuckle as she sat down the pitchers before pouring herself a glass of juice.

Ewan had Beata in his arms, twirling her about as he danced, and then set her down to go help with getting the food situated and taking up one of the beers for himself and flopping down on the grass just past the patio stones.

A merry laugh, the notes drifting out into the night as Sylvia sat and poured herself a glass of wine. "I think we should invade Jolly's home more often." This got a rousing cheer from the children.

"I completely agree." Storm chuckled, moving over to pour herself a glass of wine as well. She watched as Avery tried to sneak up to attack Ewan while he was laying down.

Locke could hear the children laughing and playing in the back of the house, and it was that sound that brought him back from the front yard to the back, still standing a good distance from the gathering of people and the fire that had been set. He sipped again from his water bottle. His cobalt eyes seemed to shift to a lighter, more neon blue hue as the light from the fire and moon flickered and fell on him.

"Oh, there ya ar'." Katarina sidestepped Locke as she came up behind him. "Doin' betta?" Her voice lowered, but the concern in the tone was still evident.

Unfortunately for Locke, the children seemed to latch on to those who stand apart. The welcoming sort they are. In particular Aidan approached him with a big smile. "Betcha your good at hide in seek in the dark."

Sea-green eyes trailed after Storm, the scene taking Peredhil back to a memory that had resurfaced during a conversation earlier this evening. Soft steps pulled him away from the rest of the group and off to one side of the patio.

Storm took a seat across from Sylvia, and just as she was about to say something to Peredhil, he turned and headed for the other direction. Her eyes followed him briefly as she took a sip.

Locke lowered his voice and looked over his shoulder, giving Katarina a quick answer as Aidan seemed to be approaching. "I am, Katarina." Locke put on a wide grin for Aidan, bright white teeth nearly shining in the low light. "I am quite aces at hide and seek in the dark, mate. I can see in the dark better than most blokes can. Part and parcel of the ice elf heritage, savvy?"

Peredhil was no safer than Locke. Cian was over there to give a bow and then asked quite matter of factly. "Who are you?"

Aidan's forest hazel eyes widened. "Whoa...you gotta play!" Bounce, bounce and running to his mother. "Can we play hide and seek in the vines? We won't go far."

Katarina patted Locke?s shoulder briefly, before squeezing past him and the boys. Chuckling as Adian seemed rather determined for a match, she moved over to take a seat on the back patio as well.

Glancing down at Cian, Peredhil smiled and said formally, returning the bow, "I'm Peredhil, a friend of your mom. You must be Cian."

Locke looked over to Sylvia as Aidan ran over, holding his hands up in the air. The gesture seemed half-apologetic, half-mischievous.

"Lord Peredhil, we are going to play hide and seek. You are welcome to join us." Cian was much more formal than Aidan's enthusiasm.

Sylvia looked over the children and the fields and nodded. "Yes, you may play, but do not force the adults if they do not wish to do so. You have plenty of play partners as it is. And Aidan you must keep your sister with you." He sighed and rolled eyes, but Sylvia was not about to go down that road and just gave him a look. Aidan took Beata's hand. Cian called. "All who are playing hide and seek, let's play. I am it!"

"I'd love to, Cian." An eyebrow arched at the kid's formality, but he smiled and then set off to hide when Cian announced that he was it.

Hiding his eyes, Cian began to count -- loud and clear.

Ewan rose from his seat to return Kellan to his mother and joined in. "I shall join in the play." Mainly so he could keep an eye on the children. When the count began he went to hide.

Locke removed his floral print white, grey, and black tuxedo jacket and headed onto the back porch, waggling his brows for Katarina. "Could I convince you to hold onto my coat for me?" He held it out, waiting for her to take it, glancing back at the vines as if anxious to get back to the game.

"Sure thin',? she giggled as he wiggled his brows before taking it and setting it down carefully on her lap.

Storm took Kellan and watched as Avery set off after his father for a hiding spot.

Sianna moved to claim a seat near Sylvia and Katie, sipping from her juice. The antics were endearing and adorable. And that applied to boys both young and younger.

Peredhil's eyes swept over the back patio, finally spotting a decent hiding spot behind a bush along the back wall of the house. Scurrying over there, he slipped in just as Cian was finishing the count.

Sylvia sighed and stretched out one arm and then the other, switching her wine glass between each hand as needed. "Well, ladies, any of you going to join in the hide and seek?" It was quite clear she was not going to do so. "I do wonder what the boys think sometimes. Always seem to want to get the men involved in some sort of game."

Locke sprinted and leaped off the patio, before hustling for the vines to try and find a good spot within them. The faint glow that accompanied his sight at night was also a curse; a careful searcher would spot them quite easily, if they knew what to look for, or happened to stumble upon it.

Katarina shifted over to pour herself a glass of white wine, "I'd play, if I wasn' wearin' white an' stickin' ou' all ova th' place. Bu', I neva was real good a' this game."

Cian's count ends with "Twenty! Ready or not, here I come!" And he went creeping about the patio, looking behind chairs to start.

"Oh! I hear someone!" Cian went up the line of vines, thoughtfully not going through them, and back down. Of course, Aidan had thought Beata had coughed and was hushing her, which only meant he was making noise. So, the ultimate result was. "Ha! I found you Aidan and Beata." Beata giggled mightily, jerking a bit at the surprise, but still laughing almost doubling over. Aidan was less than pleased. "She gave me away." Then immediately after. "Have you found Avery or Master Corinsson?"

Sylvia laughed at the teasing Jolly was getting, but did not come to his aid either. Jolly shook his head and chuckled. "I am happily sharing my home and glad to have guests. It has been some time."

Avery was starting to feel a little too sure of himself and dared to change his hiding place, unfortunately, into the same place as his father, which made him fall back a bit and cause a twig to snap.

"It is a kindness for you to have us all come. Thank you, Jolyon." Storm sent him a warm smile.

"Don't say that verra loud, Jolyon, or ye may tempt th' lot of us tae descend upon ye and yer hospitality and ne'er leave." A wide grin lifted the corners of Sianna?s lips before she sipped her juice.

Another twitched of his pointed ears, and Locke pointed accusingly in the direction that the sound came from.

Cian appeared to be quite the "hide and seek" expert, so Peredhil quietly slipped away and found a seat next to Juliane. "Evening, Jolyon. Thanks for having us over. I really like what you've done with the place."

"I hear him!" Not sure which one, Cian went off at a run. "I heard him first!" Aidan countered and took off after. Beata smiled up at Mister Locke and leaned against his leg, her hand curling in his slacks to claim him as her guide.

"I thin' Si's sick o' th' res' o' us an' tryin' ta dump us a' yer door." Katarina sent a wink to Sianna.

A burst of laughter. "I think the distance might dissuade from that. Where is Johnny?" Jolyon looked about. "Out hiding and seeking as well?"

Locke looked down at the littlest of Sylvia's children, and smiled at her, before slowly following after Aidan and Cian, mindful of the child clinging to his trousers.

"Who could possibly be sick of a house full of Smiths, aye? 'Tis a rare blessing tae be able tae partake of, which is why I'm trying tae gie Jolyon th' chance..." Sianna beamed to Katie before turning to the question. "He's home abed wi' a verra terrible cold."

Jolyon?s smile fell some. "I am sorry. Do send him my wishes for a speedy recovery."

Katarina rolled her eyes, before looking to Juliane, "See tha'? Bein' kicked ta th' curb." Another sip of her wine.

Abruptly they were found, and Ewan gathered up Avery, and used him more like a shield running up the vines. Avery's silent laugh unheard, but the smile was large.

"Speak fer yerself, Pinks. Though if ya had a place of yer own... ya could do th' kickin, yeah?" She giggled softly before leaning against Peredhil and sipping her wine.

"Oh no! They're attacking!" Cian yelled and turned about, Aidan slipped, but scrambled to his feet to escape the oncoming of Avery and Ewan. "Run, Mister Locke!" He yelled warning.

Sylvia looked to the vines to check on things and saw her little girl clinging to Locke's trousers. "Excuse me, ladies. I think I need to rescue a man from becoming child handled." She went to claim Beata from Locke with an apologetic and thankful smile.

"I'll be sure tae do sae, Jolyon. And gie ye his thanks in advance." Sianna?s own smile wavered before she kicked the wattage up a bit to overcome the pang of her husband's absence.

"I dun need a place ta do any kin' o' kickin'." The subject brought a soft smile to Katarina?s face, before she glanced over to Locke as Sylvia made her way there. The smile turned more lopsided.

Ewan made sure not to topple anyone over and set Avery down at the end of the lane of vines. With a significant look to his wife followed by a nod down to Avery, he hoped she understood he thought it was getting late for them to be getting home and the little ones to bed. Storm caught Ewan's look, and pointed slightly to Kellan to motion that he was already asleep. She rubbed his back gently once more as she came to a standing position.

Locke responded to the unspoken apology with a smile and words of his own. "No worries, mate." Once Beata was gone, Locke took a quick sidestep back into the vines, hoping to avoid Ewan and Avery (and whoever they were chasing) as they ran by.

Juliane turned her head to follow her cousin's gaze and chuckled.

Sylvia sat by the fire with Beata in her lap, humming a soft lullaby melody and rocking the little girl back and forth. Her sons came to collapse in dual heaps by either side of her, chattering about what had just happened as if she had been miles away and not heard.

"Jolyon, I thank you for your hospitality, but we should be getting back." He bowed his head, and then smiled to others. "It was good to see you all." He reached to take Kellan so Storm could rest a bit from holding him.

The other mothers with their children made Sianna feel a bit guilty of leaving Matty at home to care for hers.

Jolyon rose as Ewan, Storm, and family made to go. "A pleasure having you here. I look forward to seeing you all again soon."
*Thank you!* Avery signed to Jolyon merrily, before waving rather dramatically towards Sylvia's warband, "Yes, thank you very much, Jolyon." Storm handed Ewan their son with care, "Have a pleasant remainder of your evenings." This directed towards the group. [

"Ya'll hav' a g'nigh' now!" Katarina sent a happy smile and small wave for the family.

"Take good care." Sylvia smiled up to the family. "I will see you tomorrow, Ewan." She nodded significantly to him.

Locke stepped back in to full view, then looked around with a curious frown on his face. He wandered about for a moment, before he finally spotted what he was looking for. The water bottle and tote he had set aside before going to play hide and seek. He chugged the rest of the water, placing the empty in his tote, before jogging up to the patio. He waved to Storm and Ewan and company over his shoulder as he did so.

"Good e'en tae ye all." Sianna gave a wiggle of her fingers to the family as they departed.

Ewan nodded back to Sylvia, a soft smile to others, and then lead his family back towards their home in town.