Spring tends to be a busy time of the year for all the settlers, but the Fenwicks really outdid themselves in terms of events for this week. So brace yourselves, this update is going to be a long one.





Hannah Greengrass has been settling in quite happily. She's doing a lot better now she has a home where people pay attention to her. She gets along with the whole family, who have embraced her as a potential daughter/sister in law. 
Lily even told her the other day that as soon as Fox had his adult transitioning, they shouldn't leave things waiting too long. She's not going to be around forever, and she'd like to see some grandchildren soon.



So far though, Hannah has mostly been working on her career as a writer. She's not making any money until she can get her first novel finished and published, which does bother her. She still hopes to get a job hostessing for Wensley's restaurant, once he opens one.



Flora has thrown a small welcoming party for the three new settlers in town, and spring definitely seems to be in the air once she lays eyes on Adam Stibbons.



The feeling appears to be mutual :) But what about Warren, Flora?

Flora: "Warren? Warren who?"

Right, nevermind. You only had one measly bolt together anyway.



Meanwhile, Lily has been conversing with the Genie that housed in the lamp she was given by Rose. It's been a very interesting experience, and she's learned a lot from the purple-skinned wishmaster.



As a parting gift, the Genie allowed her one wish. Lifetime Platinum for Lils, please!



Flora has managed to get herself into perma-plat already as well. She had a headstart in her career, helping out her dad while she was a teenager, but she still managed to rise through the ranks remarkably fast.

Behold the new Mayor of Riverside Hollow, Flora Fenwick! 



With Flora settled in as Mayor, Felix could finally retire. Flora now has more time to focus on her magical studies, which she's been neglecting for a long time. But with Stephen Withergrass starting to get more active, she can't afford to do so any longer.



Time for the twins' adult birthdays! Felix and Lily arranged for a grand garden party, including a rented karaoke installation to provide some entertainment. All the family has been invited, but no outside friends. The Lovelace clan is simply too large for any additional guests.



They grow up so fast... Where's the time you two still toddled around in your bear jammies?





They grow up into some fine-looking adults. I'm getting so spoiled with good looks, there just has to be some hideous genetic monster hiding in wait for me. So far so good though.



Rose immediately flocked to the karaoke machine and regaled the party with her dulcet tones.



Felix: "You just have to keep working on it, Hannah. Who knows, you could be the next No Bells Prize for Literature winner!"



Freesia: "And hey, if it doesn't work out, you can still wash dishes in cousin Wen's restaurant, eh?"

Always tactful, Freesia.









After the party, Fox immediately had to get going to his new job as a Security Guard. Arthur has him guarding the new police station at night to make sure noone nicks the new patrol cars. 
It's not the most exciting job in the world, but he hopes to get promoted before too long and get some real police work.



The next day, Flora and Adam went on a date. She kept rolling wants of talking to him and flirting with him, something she's never really done with Warren.



After a couple of rounds of poker, they went outside to enjoy the spring sunshine and some  Berry Nectar. 

Adam: "So, what have you been getting up to these days then?"



Flora: "Oh you know, we just had the new town hall built, so that kept me busy for a while. What about you?"
Adam: "Just getting settled in. Sheesh, I keep forgetting you're the Mayor now. Should I call you ma'am from now on?"
Flora: "Only if you're fond of getting punched in the arm."



All in all, the date was a huge success! Adam even somehow brought a huge television along to present to his lady love, along with a lot of hooting and clapping.
But who's that in the background...?



Apparently Rajat returned from his self-imposed exile, and barely had time to say hi to Freesia before she jumped him and smothered him with kisses.

Rajat: "Can't... breathe..."

Freesia might prefer to keep her romancing in the dark where her dad can't see it (he's still quite upset with her over having turned Rajat into a werewolf), but Flora thinks it's time to introduce Adam to her family.



All in all, it goes well enough.

Adam: "Pleased to meet you, sir. Flora has told me all about you and how you basically started up this town. Can I just say I'm a huge admir..."
Felix: "Yeah yeah. You hurt my little girl, I rip your arms off, understood?"
Adam: *gulp*
Flora: "Dad!"



Flora: "So, you wanna... stay the night?"
Adam: "But if your dad..."
Flora: "I'm an adult, and dad runs around in the woods most nights. Don't worry about it."
Adam: "He runs in the woods at night? But isn't that really dangerous, with all those wolves and I don't know what else..."
Flora: "He can take care of himself. So do you want to, or not?"



Of course he wants to :)





Lily and Felix' Golden Anniversary was celebrated with only a quiet dinner and family gathering. Flora presented her parents with the portraits she had painted of them, and Fox and Freesia got them a couple of bottles of the Berry Nectar that the Four Corners stocks.



Lily spends most of her days diligently studying light magic, but she knows that her days are drawing to an end, and worries that Flora will be out of her depth when having to face Stephen all alone.

Time for a trip to the local White Council headquarters.





The only other White Council member in the area is Balthazar Barkwith, a very potent mage from elvish ancestry. Lily wishes there were more of them out here, that her old mentor was still around, but she'll have to make do with what she has. 



Despite threatening Stephen with the power of the White Council, Flora had never actually been introduced to any of them. Balthazar seems to be happy enough with the new recruit, but Flora is slightly shocked that three witches is all there is to the White Council.

Balthazar: "Oh no, there's many more of us. Just uhm, not around here. The Council sent me when it became clear that there was possible black magic activity in the area, to help out your mother if she needed it."
Flora: "So where is the rest of the White Council?"
Balthazar: "In their own cities and towns. If necessary, we can call on them to help us out, but it always takes a while for them to get organised so they only come if there's a dire need for it."



Lily: "But there is a dire need! Stephen's forming some sort of cult around him, and..."
Balthazar: "Myes, but he isn't actually using dark magic to do so. So strictly speaking, there's nothing we can do to interfere. We need proof if we want to summon the full strength of the Council."



Balthazar: "Here, take this, but don't open it until you get home. I hope it will be able to help you. Send Flora to see me from time to time, there's still so much she needs to learn if she's to become the protector of your town..."



Which might be sooner than anyone expected, as the Grim Reaper came for Lily one chilly spring evening.

Lily: "I've been expecting you. Though you could have picked a more dignified place than the bathroom, really."
Grim Reaper: "I DON'T MAKE THE RULES. I JUST CLEAR AWAY THE PAWNS AFTER THE GAME IS OVER."
Lily: "Ah well. Let's depart, then."



Lily's family didn't take her death well.



Especially Felix was hit hard by her passing. They made her a lovely resting place though, underneath the tree in the backyard, with flowers scattered all around the gravestone.



On some nights, it's like her presence is still there, watching over her family.