April 22nd, 1888 - Adlard Home, Bartonburg, Hogsmeade

Sundays were typically the day that Percy visited his father and his sister Felicity. There were some Sundays when Cat and the children would join in, but this particular Sunday was not one of those. In fact their father felt himself too ill to even join them for supper, the crotchety old man had kept to his quarters all day complaining of the drafts in the house. Percy had paid him no mind, much rather enjoying the company of his vivacious sister than the vitriolic attitude of their paternal figure. The two siblings had removed to the garden with the arrival of spring and were happily taking their tea amid the carefully pruned shrubs and weeded flower beds.

“Come on, Lissy, is it really necessary to pay tribute to another year of my life that has gone remarkably unoted by society in the first place?” Percy was saying, entirely baffled as to why his sister even thought a birthday party a good idea for him, nor why the planning for said event needed to start three months beforehand.
@”Felicity Adlard”

  

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Felicity glanced over at her brother from above her teacup she'd just added some extra sugar and milk to. A brow was raised, the very act speaking more than words probably could, clearly asking if he was serious with his question. He was such a typical man and quite oblivious to societal decrees and the like. And the biggest reason why he was "unoted" by society was because he didn't try. She was quite determined to remedy that.

"Percy," she started simply, talking to him almost as though she were explaining something to a child, "It is quite necessary if you would like to ever be noted by society. Which, I might add, is your fault for avoiding functions unless I drag you to them. I'll eventually be a married woman with a husband to escort me to such things and you'll be quite on your own. So it is best to do these things now if you're ever to find a wife." Then he would be her, whoever the poor soul was, problem. It wasn't that she didn't love and admire her brother, he was just too focused on work than society. He was quite handsome really, and a genuinely good man, but no one would ever see that if he continued to hide out in his home.

  

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The look she gave Percy was incredulous, the very thought that Percy did not like society simply was not something Lissy thought logical, as such it was often ignored. Percy leaned back in his chair enjoying the sun on his face before she launched into her explanation.

He almost interrupted her that he really didn’t want to be noted by society and was quite fine by his relatively unknown standards when she continued on in such a tone that brooked no argument. Instead he waited for her to finish before countering, “Yes, but that would be implying two things, one that I want a wife. And two, that I would like to be noted by society. Both of which I am perfectly content without. Let them notice you and Cat.” He hoped that by directing the attention from him to their sister Lissy might take the bait and back off from the sore point. There had been a time, when Lissy was quite young that she had never noted the interest, when Percy had dreamed of a wife. A certain young lady of his acquaintance. But those days were long off.

  

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Felicity rolled her eyes at his argument. Both points were a problem in their own. Both of which she would gladly rebut. Because, in all honesty, she liked a good argument. If it were acceptable, she'd surely have made a grand lawyer. But since it wasn't an acceptable occupation for her, she'd simply have to argue with her brother whenever the time arose.

"First, you need a wife. Second, Cat has her own notice within society already and I will eventually," she said pointedly but didn't hesitate to continue, not giving him a chance to butt in once again, "Not to mention that neither of us can carry on the Adlard name. You're the one that remains an Adlard in marriage and we all know father won't live forever." She wasn't about to say that he didn't have much longer though. As much as it would be a good guilt trip, it was too painful of a thought for the daddy's girl to bring up.

She took a sip of her tea then before sitting back comfortable and flashing him a sweet as sin smile, one that surely won her father over on more than one occasion. "Even a recluse such as yourself couldn't stand to see a family name dwindle into nothing, am I right?"

  

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Percy opened his mouth to interject the question of just why he needed a wife, but Lissy didn’t give him the chance. Instead Percy stirred the sugar in his tea and took a sip as she continued talking, and not taking the bait of their widowed sister.

Ah, yes, then there was the matter of the Adlard name. Percy honestly didn’t feel much kinship for his name, a necessity to propagate the world with offspring to preserve it the way his father did. The one proudly pureblooded family that had fallen to the wayside. Percy had heard the argument enough times from his father. But it was hard to ignore from his sisters’. There was some merit in the fact that they did want their family name to continue on, despite Percy’s tensions with their father. But that look from Lissy…. He couldn’t very well tell her he did want it to dwindle into nothing. Because, really, did he?

“No. But that doesn’t answer the question of why we did to celebrate my birthday in society. Isn’t dragging me to balls all season a way to do so without having to go to such an extreme?” Honestly Percy would be content with a quiet affair, his sisters, Quinn, Mason, and the kids. No attention beyond that. Nice. Simple. Quiet. But Felicity was on a warpath and even he knew he was likely to lose this argument.

  

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Felicity gave him that look again. The one that said he was an idiot just for asking such a thing. And to emphasize it even more, she rolled her eyes. Again. Wasn't he supposed to be smart? Because he was certainly acting like a daft fool to her.

"Percy," she said, back to talking as if she were speaking to a child, "You can't just go to things with me or Cat. You need to throw things as well. Make people think you are an approachable sort and not some recluse that waits in a cave to lure young children in for a delicious dinner."

She sighed and set her tea down, feeling quite exasperated already. "Really, you'd think I was speaking to an invalid," she said, though the slight smirk she had showed her teasing manner.

  

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This time it was Percy's turn to roll his eyes. As if anyone thought he lured children into a cave. But he did understand society and as such knew that it was the womenfolk who hosted such things not men, after all one was to seek out a wife for just that very thing. Were they not? "Approaching someone requires asking them for a dance or a polite conversation, not hosting a party." He interjected stubbornly. "Besides, isn't the point of a wife her planning things? How could I attract one, if I entertained the thought of pursuing," He was quick to add, "If I showed myself to be capable of hosting with no wife. " And yes, he was aware of just how contrary he was being. But really Lissy did bring it on herself.

  

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Men. So stubborn and ignorant. Clearly Percy needed more work than Lissy had originally thought. "You won't be hosting," she said with an exasperated sigh as she set her tea down, "I'll technically be the brains behind it all. We'll just be using your name for the invitations. Perhaps we can rent the Hogsmeade Hall." She drifted off then as she began thinking over it all. Perhaps they could do it as a spring masquerade. Add some sort of fun to it all. "Oooh, perhaps a card masquerade," she said as her eyes lit up with excitement, "Everyone picks a suit to portray and their masks will reflect as such. Hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs!" It could definitely prove to be a fun night.

  

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Clearly, whatever his rationale it would not be enough to dissuade his sister from her mission. He knew when to admit defeat and this was one of those times. It was evident that whether he liked it or not there would be a birthday party in honor of the rather unspectacular age of one and thirty in Percy’s life. Now all that was left was to steer her toward something he might actually be able to tolerate since he won’t be able to skip out.

Besides, he’d have given in with the excitement that lined Lissy’s face at planning such an event. Nevermind that she might be planning her wedding instead of a birthday party, but she had her reasons and he wouldn’t dare press her on those.

“Is it really necessary to rent out the hall?” Really it wasn’t as if there would be that many people, he was sure the small gathering could be contained to the Adlard home. And then she said masque and he knew he was doomed to a larger gathering than he’d like. Masque weren’t terrible though, at least he could blend in with the guests and it would take the attention from him. “Perhaps.” Percy took a sip of his tea before it cooled too much. “Wouldn’t you rather just host a ball than a birthday party?” He added superstitiously, hoping she might latch onto the idea.

  

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There was that look again as he questioned renting the hall. But then he really messed up. Felicity's eyes widened at the mention of a ball. "That's perfect, Percy!" she exclaimed, all grins and happiness. Luckily, she'd set her tea down otherwise they would have surely been wearing it as she'd bounced with excitement.

"Why not do both?" she said, moreso saying it out loud so that she could mull it over further, "Both would be quite feasible. A grand ball while celebrating your birthday at the same time. That way we can invite more people!" It was perfect really. She was a bit surprised her brother had been the one to even give her the idea, even if he hadn't been meaning to.

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Oh good Lord what had Percy just gotten himself into? It was clear that Lissy hadn’t actually been thinking of a ball until the word was out of his mouth and she was almost bouncing in her seat. If he hadn’t been doomed to start with he certainly was now.

“Even more people?” Percy echoed weakly. Merlin’s beard he was in for it now.

“Or perhaps you could host a ball and drop my birthday from the equation?” Like she was going to take that bait, but he had to try somehow. “Face it Lissy, I’m not exactly sought after. You’d have better attendance without my name marring it.”

  

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Felicity was positively beaming with excitement. Even her brother's own pessimism couldn't deter her from it all. It didn't matter if he looked like a hag, she'd still be doing it all under his name. She had to. Their father's name wouldn't work since most knew him to be sick and she couldn't very well do it under her own name. She was still a single woman and it just didn't work that way, unfortunately.

"Percy, I need your name," she said simply, "I'm not married and father's name won't do. You're eligible and I'm sure desirable to some extent to those on the market and looking to be taken off. Besides, it will be fun and you'll enjoy yourself, surely." She'd see to it. She'd make sure all of her unmarried friends were there and she'd shove each and every one of them into her brother's direction.

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“Surely.” Percy replied dryly, sure of just the opposite in fact. But what could he do against the excitement of a younger sister. With a deep sigh he leaned back in his chair, they’d be no peace for him until he relented. “Fine, fine. Host a ball then.” He threw his hands up in the air in defeat.There was no winning with Lissy, he should have known.

He took a deep sip of his tea wondering if there was anyway to reign her in. He really doubted it. “Just don’t expect me to help other than lending my name.” Not that that would really do much in the first place, but Lissy wasn’t seeing reason about that and he doubted she would so it was just something he’d have to live with.

  

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Felicity bounced nearly off her seat with happiness and excitement when he finally caved and said she could have her ball. She even went so far as to lean bounce over to him and give him a sisterly peck on his cheek to show her happiness to him. She didn't sit back down though and instead took to pacing somewhat as she started to mull things over in her mind.

She couldn't help but to laugh and pause in her pacing when he said not to expect him to help with anything. "You're quite the funny one today," she said, though with a good hearted smile directed at him, "As if I'd even need your help. I shall have it all taken care of and planned perfectly. All you'll need to do is show up. I'll even have a mask sent to you the night of that I'm sure your valet will be able to match well with a fetching suit for it." And if he didn't, she'd suggest to her brother to dismiss the valet and get a new one but how hard could it really be to find the perfect black suit to match a mask?

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And show up he would. No matter how under duress it was. "I suppose I shall have to settle for that then." Percy supposed he could sound happier about it for her sake, but really he still thought it much too much for a birthday celebration. Then again, when it was him and Lissy he almost never won.

Percy took a sip of his tea and glanced down at his pocket watch. He should consider getting back home to let Lily have a walk herself. "Before you come up with any more crazy ideas, I suppose I should be getting home." Percy stood up and walked over to Felicity to give her a quick embrace. "Try not to make it too big, will you?" Percy asked a mix of teasing and sincerity in his tone. "It was good to see you." He added and then he was on his way.

  

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