multiversallogs | OPEN :: A golden bird was singing

OPEN :: A golden bird was singing

Who: Everyone!
What: St Kelley's evening
Where: The Apache and surrounding environs.
When: Veerdi evening.
Notes:
(1) The topic threads are just suggestions; if you've got somewhere else that your characters simply must be, make your own thread.
(2) All mementos will appear overnight in some part of your character's apartment.
(3) Dance!

St Kelley's is one of the more sedate occasions in Baedal, at least as holidays go. It passes more or less unnoticed by the majority of the population as many of them feel it doesn't concern them. It's not their holiday; it's for the others. Those with severed ties and broken hearts. The temple and church preach that it's a time for reflection or for glorifying the generosity of the gods. It's one of the few days on which no one looks askance at first generation Citizens mourning their missing loved ones publicly.

As night rolls around and floating lanterns are set to sea, the Apache in Mog Hill prepares to accept guests from the newer cohorts. It's something that happens every year, making it a practical tradition. The alcohol will be cheaper for first timers, and the music will be kept at a reasonable level.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Steph doesn't really lose her appetite, even when she's upset, so she takes the pastry with a small smile and eats a bit before responding.

"Only in Baedal could they make Valentine's Day worse," Steph doesn't have any particularly strong feelings about Valentine's Day one way or the other; she usually just sends silly cards and presents to her friends, but she understands why a lot of people hate it.

"Well, Christmas was pretty miserable too, so I guess they're just keeping up the status quo." Usually, Kate doesn't care much either, though if somebody had bought her a box of chocolate, she wouldn't turn them down. What she's most upset over is not getting the chance to see her family and the rest of the Young Avengers. It never really goes away for her, but occasions like this and the holidays always come around and rub it in her face.

"Why did you come out anyway?" she asks softly. "It's a good night to stay home."

"Christmas always sucks when you don't have your family with you," She's kind of assuming this based on what she's seen. She doesn't have any particular sentimentality towards Christmas either, its only recently her and her mom have started celebrating.

"I had to try..." She feels stupid for it now. But sometimes its nice to hope.

Christmas for Kate at home usually meant having to make an appearance at one of her father's grand and overly paid for parties before she got to leave early to volunteer for people who would never be able to see the outside, much less the inside, of where those parties were held. It's not one of her favorite holidays, for the record.

"For what?" It's not said with an tone of interrogation, but mild curiosity. This moment is when Kate realizes she doesn't know much about Steph, other that the bits they've gossiped about during work or patrol. Who is Steph missing? Her mom? Somebody else? If Steph asks, Kate has an answer already. A brutally honest one.

It might be ironic that had they been from the same universe, Steph could've been one of those people going to one of those places Kate volunteered at. When her dad was in prison and her mom couldn't remember what month it was, let alone what day, Steph would have to fend for herself.

"To send something to them, or to get something back," She's hoping for both, honestly, but she'd be happy with just one, even if she'll never know whether her message reached her family.

"No, I meant to who," she clarifies. If Steph doesn't want to say, she'll back off and just be here to lend her shoulder which Steph has already claimed as hers or a hug.

"My mom," she's the first who comes to mind, and Steph thinks maybe that's who will get the message, "Or Cass, or Kara."

She's quiet for a moment, but it's the contemplative kind of quiet that means more is coming. She realizes that Kate won't know who those two are, she's just trying to work out what she wants to say, "They're my best friends, although I haven't known Kara for that long and Cass is going to kill me for disappearing."

"Oh."

She doesn't know what to say, not with that surprise pang in her heart when she hears somebody else talking about their mom. Kate's been missing her more and more these days and she doesn't even have the outlet of going to her mother's grave to ease the pain. Nothing is making her hate Baedal, hate being taken away from home, more than this.

"I hope you get something then." The sentence rings false, even though Kate really does mean it. It just sounds like an automatic platitude, like somebody saying sorry when they step on another person's toe. But with a limited amount of responses to things tonight, there's not much else she can say.

"Thanks," she understands that even if it sounds false, Kate genuinely still cares about her, there's just nothing else to really say in this situation.

Steph sighs and sits up properly, putting on a smile and trying to force herself to cheer up, "Between my luck and this place, I'll probably end up with something terrible. Like a pair of Cass's old socks or something."

Kate snorts a soft laugh and takes a sip of her soda, now that her shoulder is free. "Maybe they'll wash them before they send them over. It's the least they can do.

She's wondering about her own Cass, Cassie. Wondering how her best friend back home is doing and if she's still circling the relationship bush with Jonas.

"I'd have to just frame them for sentimentality's sake, 'cause there's no way they'd fit me. Cass is tiny," She's a few inches shorter than Steph, which counts as tiny in her opinion.

"You didn't want to send one?" This is probably counter-intuitive to cheering up, but she's curious about Kate's reasoning for not wanting to come out.

All Kate does is shake her head in the negative and continuing drinking her soda. What would she get if she did? Her father's business card? Her sister's wedding picture? Something from Eli? None of those are what she wants and she isn't about to waste time floating a paper boat, leaving her fate in some god's hands.

It takes her a moment to respond, not sure whether or not asking why is a good idea. She feels like she should let Kate have her privacy about this.

Eventually she settles on gentle teasing, "Does that mean you came all the way out here just for me?"

"You texted me, didn't you?" Kate rolls her eyes playfully and gives Steph a poke in the side of her head. "I could have been painting my toes."

Or just lying in bed like she was. Either or.

"I did," she bats gently at Kate's hand and makes a bit of a face at her, "I'm sorry for taking you away from what I'm sure was a fascinating evening of nail painting."

She's not sorry at all. She figures Kate could probably have used some company too, even if people chose not to participate in the 'celebration', it's still a reminder of everything left behind.

"I'll think about forgiving you if you get me another soda," she laughs, reaching out to poke Steph again. "Maybe."

Nothing but good-natured teasing between two young women missing home like nothing else. If they don't laugh, they'd probably cry.

"You don't want something a little stronger?" She's fairly sure Kate will turn the offer down, but it can't hurt to ask on nights like this. Steph's already had a little to drink, thanks to Megan.

Kate's a drinker, little as it's know. Not a hardcore heavy one; she's still likely to get tipsy off of one mojito, but if somebody offers, she'll accept. So she shrugs at Steph because what else is she going to do tonight? "Sure. Just no beer."

"I'm gonna get you something ridiculous and fruity," Isn't Steph a good fried? She gets up, lightly flicking Kate's ear as she does - just to be annoying - and then darts off to the bar area before Kate can retaliate.

About five minutes later, she comes back with a soda for herself, and a daiquiri for Kate; which isn't that ridiculous, but whatever.

Kate swats at that annoying hand and relaxes in her chair, feeling just a little bit less miserable. Maybe it's because misery loves company. Maybe it's something else. She doesn't want to think too much about it right now.

She gives both the drink and Steph a raised eyebrows that's clearly amused. "Don't think you're not splitting this with me. If I go down, I'm taking you with me."

"I've already had a couple of drinks," Steph makes an overdramatic frowny face as she sits down, "It's not my fault if you're a lightweight."

"Oh, and it's mine that your liver will scream for mercy soon?" Steph really isn't getting off that easily. After so many times of her making Kate wonder why they're even friends, it's time for Kate to bug Steph in revenge. Pushing the straw against Steph's cheek, Kate uses it to poke her over and over again.

"Drink me. Driiiink meeee." God, what has Kate turned into?

"Yes, yes it is," Steph remainds stoic throughout the poking, merely raising an eyebrow at Kate.

"Is that supposed to be annoying?"

"Yep." Kate's learned from the best about being annoying because now the straw pokes harder now. Muhahaha.

"Remind me why I'm friends with you?" She turns her head to take a sip of the drink. NOT THAT SHE WAS ANNOYED OR ANYTHING. She's just thirsty.

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