twenty firsts. { annie's birthday dinner blitz }

"Because," Saffron insisted, adjusting Quinn's dress for the fourth time that evening, "it's her birthday."

"We didn't throw me a dinner for my birthday" huffed back her daughter, cranky as usual.

Saffron grinned and stood up, dusting off her pants. "You haven't been twenty-one yet, sweetheart. We threw you a great birthday, remember? With the horses."

"With the horses..." Quinn trailed off, nodding absent-mindedly and pushing dark bangs out of her eyes.

What Saffron had told Mace. that she wouldn't repeat in front of her daughter, was that she was more concerned over the fact that Annie wouldn't get to celebrate her birthday at all. It was all third-hand rumour she had half a brain not to trust, but the whispers about Annie's wickedly disappointed father only made Saffron feel more sympathy for the Victor from Four. She'd taken a liking to the young ones, loving them from a distance - but a girl only turned 21 once, and Saffron would do just about near anything to make sure Annie had a nice evening.

Blue rushed in a few moments later, taking Quinn by the hand and gesturing for the elaborate dining room on the Tenth floor of the training center. "Miss Annie has arrived," he gushed, clearly excited to have a change of victors in his company for once. "Shall we let her in?"

"Duh..." replied Quinn, to which Saffron shot her seven year old a look. That only made the little girl giggle, tugging at Blue's hand to follow her.

Sighing, the victor strolled toward the apartment doors and grinned - if a little too forcefully - as the door opened.

"Annie!" she beamed, engulfing the other victor in a hug. "Happy Birthday!"

^{[ dars ]}