{when the sun shines, we shine t o g e t h e r} {maisie/pm~st.patricks}

Roslyn always looked forward to her birthday. She loved to celebrate (one shouldn't get too old for that, ever), she loved food, she loved fun, and she loved her friends. She also loved that her birthday had a celebration all its own, that there was another reason to celebrate the day. It really shouldn't have surprised anyone she loved it was also St. Patricks day. It was a day full of green and fun and just general niceness. (Even drunken fights didn't end up being quite so bad, in her humble opinion. But that was probably due to the fact everyone was... way too gone to really hold a grudge. She'd once seen two grown men pawing at each-other ineffectually as they slurred their way through insults before devolving into giggles and promises to buy each-other another pint.)

She was also self-aware enough to know she'd been working too much lately and that she really needed to cut loose. Which was why she'd quietly requested some time off and had, loudly, roped Maisie and Jade into joining her. (Fergie was hopelessly gone on his lovely new girlfriend and she hand't felt like pressuring him into a what was basically a week surrounded by gorgeous women, drinks, and bikini's. Best not to make things awkward too soon with that. Micah was off in the states and out of her reach for the moment and so she'd decided a girls week it was. If only Aiden and Ollie would also get that message, that would be swell. She loved them but, well, idiots) Lovely women that they were they'd agreed to start off the day in Dublin for St.Paddy's and ending it in Skerries for something a little more laid back and some fireworks. At some point in the afternoon the next day they'd hop on a boat run by the Skerries Sea Tours to explore locally before setting sail on a longer trip to northern France with the skerries sailing club. She was, quite obviously, excited.

She'd have felt better if Aiden hadn't latched onto Jade and spirited her away. Poor Jade. Her cousin was as wild as he was handsome and very few people could keep up with him. She knew Ollie would show up at some point - her big brother always did - if only to deliver his birthday present and tug on her hair like a wild magpie. (The Hayes and Donnovan clans were, in a word, wild at the best of times.) At least Alex was stuck on the job across the pond though she knew he was probably still celebrating St.Paddy's, and her birthday, in style. If she knew him at all (and she prided herself that she knew all the members of her family quite well) he'd have sent her something along with Ollie. She'd already had birthday breakfast with her parents and they were sweetly going to be taking care of her beloved Moose. All of her family obligations had been settled quite nicely, really, and it had been a wonderful day thus far.

"Oh! Prizes!" she burst out, clutching at Maisie even tighter and her face brightening in excitement. She steered them towards the makeshift games booths where they had set up some targets and the water coming out of the guns had been dyed green and sparkling. "What would you like Zee? I'll win you a prize." she offered, grinning widely enough that the glittering clovers on her cheeks sparkled.

@Maisie Miller @Jade Carroll

Dublin was alive, bursting at the seams as green glitter fell from the skies. Tilting her head back, Maisie winced as a little shiny shamrock landed in her eye and she wobbled. "Ow," she whined as she grabbed hold of Rosyln's arm to keep her steady, little bits of shimmer landing in her hair and she was mildly confused as to where it was coming from. "Shite," she swore as she wrinkled her nose, someone catching her arm and sending her stumbling. And she hadn't even started drinking yet.

Holding onto her friend's arm, they squeezed through the crowds, getting swept up in the direction and she had no intention to fight the current. The city was drenched in green as laughter and music filled the air. Maisie bobbed her head in time with the rhythm of the drum as they passed pubs and bars. It was good to be home. The weather was holding, too. It was almost like Patrick himself was looking down on them.

In contrast to the emerald hues, the petite witch was dressed in St. Patrick's blue]https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/143693044348897140/]blue and over the course of the morning, she'd somehow ended up with a miniature tricolour painted on her left cheek. "I can't hear you!" Maisie bellowed back to Roslyn over the sound of drums, cupping her ear as though that would somehow help. "What?" She squinted at the Auror. It was no use - Maisie was really awful  at charades.

Turning her head, she saw the man Ros had introduced her to, drag Jade off and she giggled. Her gaze lingered momentarily as her eyes slid down his form and she chewed on her lower lip, wondering why Roslyn hadn't introduced them previously as a flicker of jealously engulfed her - why wasn't anyone dragging her off somewhere? Swiftly, she blinked. No. She wasn't going to entertain that because she had a boyfriend now. A real one! Not one that she'd invented to keep her aunties off the scent. There was only so much you're not going to be twenty six forever she could take.

At the touch on her arm, she squeezed Roslyn's hand. "Ooh, my hero," she cooed, her eyes wide before she grinned. "Wait," Maisie laughed. "It's your birthday," she reminded the brunette, as if she'd somehow forgotten. "Shouldn't I be winning you something?" She asked, looking bemused before she studied what was on offer. It was a toss-up between a sunglasses-wearing-shamrock or an inflatable harp. But then --

"That fat unicorn," Maisie announced, wiggling a finger at the slightly cross-eyed, purple maned creature and she grinned. Reaching up, she delicately swiped the shamrock off Rosyn's cheek before standing in front of her. "I need you to focus," she told her friend, eyes wide in seriousness, despite the hint of her smile curving the line of her lips. "I want the unicorn," she nodded. "But do you want a drink?" Maisie called over the noise, pointing to a nearby bar. "I don't know what a "Drunken Leprechaun" is and I sort of want to find out?"

She was definitely going to have to yell louder wasn't she? Ah, well, it wasn't like she was shy or anything. Attached at the hip worked best anyway, didn't it? The brunette squeezed back, already floating on a sort of excited anticipation. "My damsel in distress." she teased back, blue eyes glittering, as she laughed. "Since its my birthday I'm pretty sure that means I do what I want. And that means destroying that game and winning you a fat unicorn you'll name after its fabulous godmother." she reasoned, lips curling up into a playful smirk. "Focusing~" she trilled, widening her eyes up innocently and resisting the urge to giggle as her friend swiped her cheeks.. "May the most you wish for be the least you get." she recited obediently, face bright, as she smiled. They'd get tired of her reciting Irish blessings she was sure only she'd grown up playing the game with her mother.

"Oooh. How many Drunken Leprechauns do you think we can down before we get sloshed d'ya think?" she asked curiously. "I think thats a question that needs answering." she added seriously. It did not escape her that her brother and cousin were there as a deterrent to other men attempting to get too close and she was definitely taking advantage of having built in bodyguards. They'd hover, glare, and fetch drinks for them and that in her mind would be lovely. "Quick before Ollie gets here and starts counting beverages." she said, laughing, as she detangled from her friend. "You get drinks and I'll get the unicorn! I'll catch up with you at the bar." they would divide and conquer.

She turned, eyeing the booth in question, before taking a seat. She listened to the rules with half an ear before handing over the proper change. She eyed the little target sign and before she knew it sparkling green water was shooting out of her gun. She cackled as she leaned forward, not sparing any thought to the other adults playing, but knowing her hand eye coordination was loads better than the completely inebriated couple playing against her. It was, truly, like taking candy from a baby. She almost felt bad about it, really. With a spark and a bang it was over rather quickly and she'd acquired the fat unicorn for Maisie. "Thanks!" she called out as she got up from her perch. She took a glance around and made for the bar, spotting her friend. "Zee! Over here!" she hollered, shaking the unicorn back and forth above her head as she waved. "I won!" she couldn't help gloating, even though there hadn't been much of a challenge. 

Though not really affronted, Maisie let out a squeak of ignition before she laughed. "I feel like a damsel in distress," she admitted, not overly fond of crowds. "I'll swoon if you catch me," she joked, bumping Ros with her hip playfully. But she stopped in her tracks, head tilted as a bemused expression creased her pretty facial features. "Er," Maisie began before offering a sheepish smile. "Thanks?" Her smile turned into a lopsided grin as her eyes crinkled at the corners. That was sweet. And Heaven knew she wished for a lot of things.

"Four?" Maisie replied as she turned her head to squint at the drinks board and then her face fell. "Oh no," she said on a breath. "There's Guinness and Jamesons," the secretary lamented, already feeling her stomach churn at the notion - she didn't understand how it was green. "Three, then," she corrected her guess with a snort.

"Your brother's lovely," Maisie chastised Roslyn gently as she playfully swatted at her. What the brunette wouldn't give to have a sibling, she wasn't quite sure. Ollie was very attractive and Maisie didn't think she was cool enough to sneak a peek at him without him noticing. Or perhaps he was just too much of a gentleman to say anything.

"Deal," Maisie agreed with a salute to Ros as she went to do battle at the funfair game as she turned and dived headlong into the throng of people congregating at the bar. "Hi," Maisie panted with a grin as she managed to reach the bar, pink cheeked and out of breath as she managed to order the drinks and, like a true Irish woman, managed to navigate the crowd without spilling a drop.

She took a cautious sip of the cocktail and was surprised by the surprisingly rich taste. It was a bit foamy, though, and that put her off a little. Continuing to drink, Maisie's dark eyes scanned the crowd. She wasn't usually so interested in boys but somehow, Johnny agreeing to finally ask her out had somehow unleashed something within her. She drank and found herself trailing a group of young men who were laughing and joking but there wasn't anything wrong with window shopping. But a bang! and a holler caught her attention.

"Woo hoo!" Maisie exclaimed, raising her arms in the air in celebration and forgetting she was holding drinks as some sloshed over the rim of the cup. "Nice work," she grinned at Ros, her eyes widening as she saw the size of the unicorn. "M'lady," she joked as she sank into a low curtsy before handing her friend the drink and then snatching the cuddly toy and giving it an affectionate squeeze.

"I love it," Maisie grinned from ear to ear, feeling oddly touched by the gift. As a general rule, she didn't get many presents and she gazed at the unicorn with slightly wonky eyes and she grinned - it'd look lovely on her bed, propped up against her pillows. "Where did your brother go?" Maisie asked Roslyn as innocently as she could manage as she slurped at her cocktail.

Out of all the Hayes siblings, Ollie was probably the most laid back of the bunch. Alex was bound tighter than a bloody button, half the time, and Ros could be a bit of a, well, woman about some things. Oliver, though, well he was the most soft-hearted. Loyal to a fault, he cared deeply for his friends and family. He was the one that took care of his siblings. Bandaging Alex's scuffed knee's and carrying Roslyn around on his shoulders while he saved her from the mad dragon. It stood to reason, then, that despite the fact he was the softest of the three and in possession of the most genial demeanor he was protective to a startling degree. He'd always been in possession of large swaths of daring, nerve, and chivalry. He'd be embarrassed about being so Gryffindor if he hadn't been so proud of it. That just meant that he just wandered into situations head first (Roslyn had gotten that particular habit from him, unfortunately. Headstrong, that one, not that he'd regret it much) and was completely unapologetic about it.

He had zero hesitation about hovering over his sister and her pretty friends, thank you. It wasn't even that he thought women couldn't handle themselves, either. He'd seen enough women elbow deep in the remains of dark creature innards (his sister included) and at the wrong end of a pissed witch to know that. It was always the delicate looking ones that had a mean hex rearing to go. It just made him feel better if he knew there was someone watching out for them is all. Aiden, he knew, felt the same though his cousin would never admit it. St. Patrick's could get a bit out of hand and he wanted the girls to have fun without having to worry about some bloke trying to get fresh. They deserved to just be and so he was fine with being the one to blend in the background and watch, poised to discourage any interested parties if they got too close. Not to say he was going to be a complete sad sod, either.

Maisie and Jade were quite pretty and it was St. Paddys. With an amused eye he watched as Ros won her friend a stuffed unicorn, grinning into his beer, and repressing a chuckle. Of course she would, he thought fondly, as he walked up to them both. "Did you have time to miss me?" he quipped, grinning so wide his teal eyes, the exact same shade as his sisters, crinkled around the corners. "Unless you mean Alex, in which case, you've got the wrong Hayes brother, love. He's way less fun than I am, anyway. Though I suppose he's just as pretty." and a lot more blatant about scowling at men who looked Ros' way. And because he wasn't a complete hypocrite he made sure to keep his own eyes from straying too far down Maisie's face despite the fact that he took notice of how nice blue looked on her.

Ollie was a Gryffindor in throes of wanderlust, which was a hazardous pastime. He loved his job as much as he'd loved any woman and that left little time to no time to focus on the lack. (Right then so Ros took after him a fair bit. He already got enough grief from his caterwauling mother for it. He didn't need additional judgement for his sentiments on love to be bleeding into Roslyn's psyche.) Most women liked to pretend at being strong enough to date him (they were not) but the truth was that the late hours, the traveling, and the near constant visits to Mungo's got a bit much. He wasn't ready for a desk yet, despite his mothers thoughts on the matter and so he was stuck at this impasse of meeting women who were interested and interesting but things just didn't work out. He'd thought, with Adrianne, but well. Even a strong woman like her hadn't been able to handle it, in the end. Now wasn't the time to focus on all that, though, as he took a step forward and gathered his sister in arms. "Merlin. Why couldn't you have been someone with an attachment to shawls?" he said, long-sufferingly. "You look quite nice" he added, tugging at her bun, and knowing after years of education on women to know you complimented them when they wore nice things despite your personal feelings about parka's in the height of summer. It was a great idea, really. The first time he'd seen her in a pair of shorts when she was sixteen and not scrawny anymore he'd just about had an aneurism.

He'd definitely overreacted in retrospect. She'd yelled about men being prigs and hadn't talked to him for a solid week before he'd apologized. It still bothered him, but in the sense that he didn't like men that stared at his sister like she was a slab of meat on the table. (Or his mother. Or the person he was with. Anyone, really. It genuinely bothered him.) 

"Three." she agreed, smothering a grin. "He's the best." she admitted, with a great deal of fondness. "He's told me a bunch of times how proud he is about me being so good with a wand but he still worries and hovers like a bat." she long ago realized it was just how he was. Ollie was the kind of bloke who helped old crones cross the street or helped unload a neighbors groceries. What was impressive was that he was genuine about it. It was hard to stay mad at someone like that for very long in the face of that sort of earnest thoughtfulness. She privately thought most of the women he'd dated weren't worthy enough of her idiot of a brother. Alex, at least, knew his worth and so she worried about him less. Aiden she didn't even bother with. That boy was so not in a state to settle down. She hoped Jade would fair well with his ridiculousness.

"I'm glad!" she said, pleased she'd made her friend happy and amused by their continued silliness. She laughed as Maisie curtsied, snorting a little, as she nabbed one of the drinks in her friends hand. "Probably out scowling at some poor so- bloody hell! You realize your arm weighs a ton, you bloody giant." she scolded, digging her elbows into Oliver's ribs as he responded with an amused chuff. He could at least have the decency to pretend it hurt.

As Oliver came up behind her, Maisie promptly choked on her drink. She clapped a hand over her nose in an attempt to stop the cocktail from coming out of her nose. She coughed, embarrassed, as she flushed tomato red. "Wow, sorry," she apologised with a nervous giggle as she wiped some dribble from her chin with the back of her left hand. She was dying inside. She thought she could actually feel her internal organs shrivelling up in shame.

Turning to face Roslyn's brother, Maisie gave a lopsided grin. "Of course not," she tutted playfully, as though she was offended that Ollie could think she meant anyone else. Her dark eyes slid sideways to peek at his profile - good looks must run down the entire Hayes line. It was incredible. Even all of their eyes matched.

Thankfully, her reverie was short lived. Maisie shifted the unicorn onto one of her hips, much in the same fashion she would were she carrying a toddler. It was cumbersome but worth it and she had every intention of carrying him (or her) all the way to France. Maybe she could put a pair of sunglasses on it.

Watching the siblings interact made her smile but she couldn't escape the pang of something in her chest. The phrase you can't miss what you never had wasn't always necessarily true. Her smile, however, was still firmly in place. "That's very sweet," she told Roslyn softly with a quick grin at them both. "If you're ever available for hire, Ollie, just  let me know," she joked before she drank, as though fighting off men was a regular occurrence.

Maisie looked over her shoulder at the crowd, her foot tapping to the beat of the music. She was looking forward to their girls' trip. She didn't think she'd really been on holiday for, gosh, four years? She hoped there would be beaches and seafood and long walks and fun stuff to look at, that she could take photos of everything like one of those tourists. Time was fleeting and she wanted to capture (and make) happy memories. The image of her brother and cousin in a pair of swimming trunks blindsided her.

"We need to get you a cake," Maisie announced as she drained her drink and hiccupped. She had one already, of course, but that wouldn't be until later. And she'd booked a nice restaurant for when the girls all got to France. "Failing that, I can just stick a candle in a loaf of soda bread."

"Are you alright?" he murmured softly, patting Maisie's back lightly, before shooting Ros a puzzled sort of frown. He blinked teal eyes back at Maisie a second later as she recovered.  Her grin was lovely (as were her dimples) and a slow pleased smile worked itself along Olivers face as he took in the brunette's words. "M'glad." he added, grinning. She really was sweet. Even as he listened to Ros he couldn't help keep an eye on her friend, concern bubbling up again, as he took in the expresion on her face. She was still smiling but there seemed to be something sad along the corners of her expression. He flushed a bit at the compliment, laughing, as he detached himself from his sister. "C'mon then', I can recognize a lass in need of a bear hug when I see it." he muttered, holding his arms out widely. He wasn't a small man, either, so it really would be a bear hug.

And it would definitely feel like one to her she was so delicate and tiny, not to mention close a foot shorter than him. Still he prided himself in his hugs. He always held on tight enough but not so much that it was uncomfortable, he was warm, and he smelled nice.  Or so he'd been told. "I come with raving reviews." he teased, confirming he'd be available to bodyguard a pretty lass any time. "I can probably transfigure soda bread into a lovely cake." it would still taste like soda bread but it would look majestic. Besides who didn't like soda bread?   

"Ugh. Better give him that hug, now, he won't give in until you do. And he will stare at you with those big doe eyes of his. Where do you think I get it from?" she quipped, amused, as her brother turned on his not inconsiderable charm. Worst part was she knew he wasn't even trying for flirt. She was pretty sure he was incapable at it, actually, he just did this thing where he was genial and sincere and the women in his life just sort of melted. Gentle giant, she mused, shaking her head. Poor Maisie having to withstand that sort of attention from a man not related to her. Maybe she should've told Oliver that Maisie had a sort of boyfriend. He usually became a bit more conscious of accidental contact if she laid it all down.

But it as too amusing to observe the byplay. And it was her birthday, she was entitled to a bit of amusement, since Aiden had spirited Jade off and deprived her of their presence. "Cake, transfigured soda bread, I'm easy." she confirmed, laughing. Where to go next? "See if anyone of you spot something good." she offered, taking another slow glance around.

"I'm fine!" Maisie squeaked, sounding high pitched as she nodded eagerly. While she was fine, she was also totally embarrassed. This happened all the time - she was having a nice time with some friends and then she had to go and make a tit out of herself.

Maisie's dark eyes went wide as Oliver had his arms open to her and she blinked, glancing over at his sister. Gosh, was she really so pathetic that she now warranted pity hugs? Offering Oliver a sheepish grin, she shrugged. "Well, if you insist," she joked before she stepped closer. On her tiptoes, she looped her arm around Roslyn's brother's neck and squeezed. He smelled nice and felt even nicer. Maisie lingered for a few seconds too long before dropping back onto her heels, hands on his shoulders as a flush turned the tips of her ears pink. "Great. You're hired," she joked with a grin.

Unable to help herself, she laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear as she grinned. "That's sorted, then," she announced smugly, clearly kidding. She adored Ros, she couldn't give her bread for her birthday. "When do you want to blow out your candles?" Maisie enquired, wondering if she might want to involve her family or just the girls and her eyes flicked over to Ollie to gauge his reaction.

Quickly, she looped her arm through Roslyn's and gave her a quick tug in an effort to get her walking. "Your brother's hot," she whispered to her friend in a stage whisper with her eyebrows arched. "But more drinks?" She asked brightly as she steered her friend deeper into the crowds. "Do you need anything for the boat? Did you bring a coat or a blanket?" Maisie asked, suddenly grasped by fear of getting cold watching the fireworks. Or the lack of someone to keep her warm.

"Have you drowned the shamrock, yes?" Maisie asked Roslyn, remembering the tradition but forgetting the fact that it was still way before noon. "I'm starving," she whined suddenly. "Fancy a bacon butty?"

"Like its a hardship." he scoffed, grinning, as soon as he had an armful of brunette witch. He was partial to hugs, most of the time. She was so short, though, it was sort of adorable. He gaze her a squeeze before letting go, amused, when she spoke. "Glad I met with your approval." he teased, teal eyes crinkling, as he smiled. His eyes flickered over to his sister, smile still in place, as she carelessly quipped she didn't care about the cake situation. One thing was certain, she probably didn't. Much as Ros enjoyed sweet things she wasn't particularly fond of cake, though frosting was the true reason for her impartiality to it. His sister was more of a fruit tart sort of girl, or light wippy desserts like chocolate mousse. They'd probably be able to find something suitable, and if it was drenched in liquor the better.

He'd seen her devour a bowl of strawberries and cream all by herself, not feeling a smidge of sympathy by not sharing with her older (and favorite) brother. 

"I'm sure he'd be delighted you think so." she said with a breathless sort of giggle. Honestly she felt like both her brother and Maisie needed a good snog, and if it was with eachother so much the better in her opinion. "Drinks! Drinks! Ollie fetch is drinks, will you?" she called out, eyes wide and pleading, as her brother muttered good naturally and braved the crowd in acquiesce. "The Hayes family is full of pretty people." she bragged, eyes sparkling, as she laughed. She was well aware her family was good looking, even if she found quite a bit of amusement at the way women tended to swoon around her brothers and cousins.

"I've got everything sorted. What about you? Missing anything?" she inquired, eyeing her friend. "Though, to be honest, I'm sure Ollie will volunteer to keep you warm." she teased, a wicked smile on her face. "Not yet! But Bacon Butty... mmm. Thats a craving right there." she said, eyes alight at the thought of food.