Two years in a row now, someone I loved died on my birthday

[controlledvariable]

Who: Steph and friends!
What: A birthday party
Where: A restaurant in... let's go with Howl Barrow? It's not really important.
When: Sukkadi night
Notes: HI. If we haven't pre-discussed this and you're unsure whether your character would be invited, hit me up and I will tell you. On the off-chance your character would like to bring a friend/SO, we can work something out. But yes, come here, tag around and feel free to talk to everyone. Have fun or Steph will make sad faces. P.S. She's wearing this because I wanted an excuse to use it.
Warnings: None for now

Birthdays are weird. They've never been a big deal for Steph. Her parents never cared, she rarely had friends close enough to make a big deal out of it, and she didn't even tell Tim for a long time (she's pretty sure he actually found out by snooping). Last year it was a quiet affair, just dinner with her mom and a few small gifts. Things had been too awkward with Tim to do anything together, and Cass was - busy with something that Steph can't remember now. Baedal makes it even weirder, for starters she'd forgotten it was her birthday for a good two weeks and then she hadn't been sure exactly how to go about recognizing it, considering the fact it wasn't the actual date of her birthday here. On the other hand, she feels like she has more friends here than she has back home, so she takes Angela's suggestion about a party to heart.

After much deliberation, Steph decides to rent out part of a restaurant for her partying needs. Babs had offered her house, but Steph feels like the population of Baedal, her included, has imposed on Babs enough already. So a restaurant it is - one that Angela helped her choose, pay for and organize, which Steph is extremely grateful for. As a result of Angela's help, said restaurant ends up being a little eclectic, hole-in-the-wall place with a restaurant/bar downstairs and the private room upstairs, serving platters of food that Steph isn't entirely sure she recognizes. There's odd pieces of art on the walls, the chairs, small sofas and tables don't actually seem to match each other, but the whole thing seems to fit a general theme and Steph likes it, so that's good enough for her. She'd entrusted music to the venue, not really having the resources at the moment to put music onto one of those fancy crystals; it's been good so far though, a little on the instrumental side, but Steph doesn't mind that. There's a small bar up here, too, with Steph choosing the package that gets them free beer and house wines - if anyone wants anything stronger or fancier than that, it's up to them to pay (Steph isn't made of money, alright).

She's kind of nervous about it, this is the first party she's ever thrown for herself and she just wants everyone to have a nice time. When she'd invited everyone - either by private CiD message or in person - she'd told them that presents weren't necessary, that it was just a small get together to help her celebrate the technical passing of a year. She really just wants everyone to have a good time.

Comments

[rhinemaid]

Steph had suggested to Ilde that she could invite a friend; after giving some thought to her pool of acquaintances (most of whom would either be disinclined, 'inappropriate' or just sort of like inviting somebody's dad), she's opted to come alone, carrying her hat in one hand and resisting the ongoing impulse to fidget awkwardly with her bracelet. The only people she'd be inclined to have asked to this are people already attending, so there is at least the fact she's going to more someone besides just Steph--

It's fine, she's just feeling slightly out of her comfort zone, and it's probably for the best nobody thinks too hard about what Ilde's comfort zone actually is.

At the bar upstairs she requests a glass of water with lemon, then seeks Steph out.

[controlledvariable]

"Ilde," Steph greets her with a smile as soon as she sees Ilde, leaving the table she'd been fussing at.

"Thanks for coming," She's a tiny bit surprised, she figures Ilde probably doesn't hang out with the sort of people Steph hangs out with, a few crossovers aside, and she really wouldn't have blamed her for not coming. Still, Steph is pleased to see her. Especially considering that she hasn't seen Ilde in person since the sky broke, "You look good."

Small talk is weird; it's even harder when Steph is feeling nervous.

[rhinemaid]

Not coming had indeed crossed her mind, but Ilde likes Steph in a slightly 'what are you' kind of a way - which is probably how a lot of people look at Ilde, so there's that - and it just seems thoughtful to have been invited, so thoughtful to actually show up, too.

“I figured getting out of the house for something social couldn't hurt,” or at least not that much-- Ilde touches Steph's arm, light and friendly, her hand cool as ever. “Happy birthday.”

[controlledvariable]

Steph's friends are probably a good crowd to be around when you're re-introducing yourself to the social world. They are mostly friendly, gentle people. (At least, if you're one of the good guys. Most of them can also kick ass if they have to.)

"Thank you," For the birthday wishes. She's curious about the lack of plus one, but won't say anything, "Have you been alright, after - everything?" Monsters and the sky breaking and Ilde's friend not being well.

[boomvox]

At some point, after inflicting the birthday girl with her gift, snagging another cocktail, and mingling a bit, Jae spots his sort-of-contemporary and slinks over, creeping in (obviously, the creeping is merely for show) for a side-hug.

"Hey, you." It's been a while, and it's been - well. An interesting while, for both of them.

[rhinemaid]

Side-hugs from Jae are inarguably some of Ilde's favourite hugs, and she leans into the side of him with faint relief - there is one Nice Person that she understands, and that would be Jae - that is partly to see him again and partly...to see him again, safe and whole as far as she can tell. (Checking him for missing body parts does actually cross her mind. Just in case.)

“Hey. You still look as if you've been dipped in lime sherbert.” But she likes lime sherbert, so it's fine.

[boomvox]

He leaves his arm around her, and slim as he is it's not much of a burden, despite his height. "I learned how to do a party trick with it," he tells her. ... Because he did. Jae might - well, does - look a little more compact lately, in a way that's beyond more peoples notice, but Ilde might very well catch it. Magically, he's starting to shore up a bit.

[23rd]

Laura is exactly on time -- exactly -- even given how out of her element she is here; she doesn't like to be late. She's dressed the usual way (inappropriate) and arrives trailed by the three-eyed black cat that's taken a shine to her lately.

Despite having been informed presents are "not necessary," she brought one anyway, because at the institute they told her the Rules about birthdays and birthday parties and presents were included in that. Life is easier for Laura when there are rules that she can follow. It's nothing fancy because she is hardly the authority in gift-buying, but the shop girl who had been keeping an eye on her for the three hours she'd wandered the store confused and indecisive had finally intervened and helped her pick something, so hopefully Steph won't hate it.

It's wrapped in black with a purple ribbon, clumsily like she did it herself for the first time ever.

The first thing she does is thrust it at Steph awkwardly and wordlessly. Accept this token of friendship or else.

[controlledvariable]

Steph can't help smiling as she carfully takes the gift, "You didn't have to, but - Thank you. And thank you for coming." She puts her free hand on Laura's arm, just for a moment; this is the Steph-to-Laura version of a thank you hug, because she's pretty sure a real hug would make Laura uncomfortable. Like Ilde, Steph is a surprised but pleased that Laura made it.

The present gets stared at for a second, scutinizing it, before Steph looks back up with a sheepish grin, "Do you mind if I open it now, or should I wait until after the party?" After the party is usually the correct protocol, but Steph is curious.

[23rd]

Laura pauses as she considers this question with the same gravity she considers everything. Then: "It's my understanding it is supposed to happen after." This is a confusing one because she knows that that is a Rule -- there's a time when you're supposed to sit down and sing that song and then watch the person open gifts -- but no one at the institute really... cared, they just kind of tore into it.

Make up your minds, teenagers.

[joiedeviolet]

As somebody who didn't even need an invite, verbal or otherwise, Kate shows up a few minutes after the party begins after stopping home to shower and dress and also pick up a little something in a square white box that she places on the table closest to the door.

It's nothing spectacular or spendy; this is Kate we're talking about here. But inside is a cake in Steph's favorite flavor, butterscotch and banana, sickly sweet and guaranteed rot her teeth tonight. Her real gift for Steph is tucked into her purse and it'll stay there until the time is right.

[controlledvariable]

Steph is going to make frowny faces at Kate for getting a cake, although she'll secretly be pleased. That will happen when she actually spots the box, right now she's busy careening into Kate for a hug.

"Parties are exhausting," Steph, the party has barely even started, "I don't know how people do this all the time." People like Bruce Wayne and probably Kate's family; no offence, Kate.

[joiedeviolet]

"They get other people to do the set up and they just freeload off their hard work." She smiles as she says this, both for the hug and the tongue-in-cheek response about parties. Kate knows so well that her father never actually did the catering and the decorating or even the renting. He just made a few calls and a team did it; all he had to do was show up and shake hands.

Kate pulls back, tucking a strand of wayward hair behind Steph's ear. "You look nice tonight." Not that Steph doesn't any other night, but a compliment is a compliment.

[boomvox]

Being late is only fashionable if there's photographers or a crowd you're too good for, and so Jae arrives perfectly on time, aquamarine-hued hair carefully saturated and styled. For him he is dressed conservatively, but still sharply, because while it's a gathering between friends (!), it's still a party. It's been a while since Jae's been to a party in Baedal that didn't involved shoving a red plastic cup filled with fuel-grade space booze into his hand the second he walked in the door, so this is nice - especially considering the past weeks have been filled with work, studying, researching, and more work.

That a lot of his responsible adult behavior has been in the company of the man arriving with him is a complete coincidence, as is their arrival itself. The bar tender recognizes him (cough) so Jae throws up an amiable peace sign as they enter, other arm occupied with a rectangle shape wrapped in brown paper.

[yeouiju]

Sunny is a somewhat ordinary looking character next to Jae, but doesn't seem aware or conscious of this fact, all the way used to his gangly height and shock of blue hair. Sunny himself is dressed casually in the carefully crafted way this can be, as opposed to rolling out of bed and grabbing the nearest T-shirt. It will be nice to be at a party! With other people and stupid conversation and not endlessly pouring over books, for all that it isn't. Boring. But, you know.

It's what they say about all work and no play.

He pondered a little while, the 'no need for presents' clause, but then saw this and it made him laugh. It's cheap metal, anyway, hidden in a pouch in his pocket, and she will have to deal. "Do you want anything? You can find the girl, I can find alcohol."

[boomvox]

"Turning into a drinker on me?" Amused. "Romulan slammer, if they'll make it." (What, he's always been good at being diversely cultured.)

And now to find the birthday girl.

[leviohhhhsa]

Presents aren't necessary?

Tough. Because Steph officially deserves one. What Hermione has brought for her is secreted away in her bag until she can hand it over properly, but she's quite pleased with herself for it.

Steph likely had to convince her not to turn up early and help with arrangements; she arrives perfectly on time, having taken the opportunity to dress up, rather doubting herself in heels but nonetheless pleased with her outfit. She's even managed to tame her hair into big, loose curls (as opposed to its natural frizzy, brush-breaking state). After she finds herself a drink and accidentally ends up engaged in a conversation with someone she vaguely knows through work- she's surprisingly good at this, thanks to quite a few diplomatic dos and press engagements- she catches sight of Steph and extricates herself, waving across the room as she hurries closer as best she can. Steph, of course, gets a hug, Hermione leaving her glass of wine floating in the air.

"Happy birthday! Wow, you look fantastic." --tone of surprise there, which isn't really justified, but she's used to seeing Steph either dressed for work or (more recently) dressed to stomp all over bad guys.

[controlledvariable]

Steph returns the wave and puts her glass on a nearby table, because some of them don't have magic powers. She hugs back, laughing at the surprise in Hermione's words.

"Try not to faint from shock over the fact I scrub up nice," She can't resist teasing. It's amusing, especially when compared to how Kate looked at her after shhe'd braided her hair up the other day. Clearly what Steph should take from this is that she needs to put more effort into her daily appearance.

[leviohhhhsa]

"You know I didn't mean it like that, I'm just used to seeing you working in one way or another," Hermione chides, stepping back and grinning, reclaiming her wine.

"Then again, I suppose I'm sort of the same way when it comes to working," she admits with a smile, running a hand through her hair. "And I'm very glad neither of wear these sort of shoes all the time, because I for one don't think I'm going to last long in them."

[bodilesswarrior]

It's silly, really, to be at all nervous. This is Steph, and they've done far more perilous things together.

Still, she was never really one for parties, and she can count the ones she's been to in the last few years on one hand. So she can't help but feel a bit awkward, though the only tell is her hand occasionally smoothing over the skirt of her dress.

But her smile, as her gaze travels across the room, is warmly sincere. She's sitting at one of the tables, between two of the little sofas. They're kind of cute, really.

[controlledvariable]

Steph flops into one of those sofas during the latter part of the evening, swiping Babs' hat and placing it on her own head.

"Did I mention that there's a rule where you have to have fun," Her voice is stern, but it's a faked sterness, undermined by how she dramatically waggles her finger at Babs, "So you know, you better be having fun."

[thenormalsquint]

That hat doesn't stay on Steph's head as Angela walks onto the scene to swipe it herself, putting it on as she drops down on the couch as well. There's a drink in her hand, but it's only plain iced tea. For now.

"You tell her, Stephanie. No wallflowers allowed tonight."

[catiana]

Tatiana arrives a bit late from her impromptu volunteer shift at Glory Shada. She wanders into the room a bit ruefully, looking around for Steph.

Her hand keeps fiddling in her coat pocket, where the small gift wrapped in cheap paper is tucked. She knows Steph said presents weren't necessary, but - well, she didn't say they couldn't.

[controlledvariable]

Steph is in the middle of eating some sort of... thing - there are tenatcles involved, and it's all arranged on a chinese soup spoon for ease of eating - when she spots Tatiana and waves with her free hand.

She quickly finishes off the food, deposits the empty spoon on the table, where a few other used dishes and utensils are and then makes her way to Tatiana.

"Hey, thanks for coming," as soon as she's close enough, she opens her arms for a hug (these are non-optional, unless you are Laura).

[catiana]

Tatiana strides over with a smile, and accepts the hug readily. Most of her friends aren't really the hugging type, so it's kind of nice.

"Thanks for inviting me." When she steps back, she slips her hand into her pocket again.

"I know you said we didn't have to, but - " She pulls out her present, a small box in lavender paper.