altimit | [open] BIRTHDAY PICNIC

Who ꕤ EVERYONE
What ꕤ zelkova's picnic-birthday bash!
When ꕤ oct 3
Where ꕤ Holzig Camping Grounds
Content Warnings ꕤ some grief, probably

PRE-PICNIC

[ The invitations have all been sent out, but there's still prep work to be done. The food and drinks have to be made, the decorations crafted and set up along with the tents and such. An eclectic mix of players are organizing this event: Mr_Misteaks, tylorific, Vogel, Mithrun1, and tabibito. Hien (!) has kindly (tabibito's phrasing) volunteered to help them set up. Though in the end, it's more like four capable adults and two problem children (who have stringent orders to stay AWAY from the knives).

Should anyone else choose to come early to help out, they'll be welcomed with smiles. There's joy in the air, though loss tinges it at the edges.

Before the party starts, however, Hien will be gone. And before that, the group presents Hien with a small "cake" of his own: a savory spring galette. ]

HAPPY, SAD BIRTHDAY

[ At noon is when the guests are told to arrive, with the party lasting until sunset.

Holzig Camping Grounds looks a little different! The decorations are simple and colorful; banners of varying quality hang over the tents and weave through the trees. Most notable are the silver and gold balloons that read: Happy 0 Birthday! There are thick logs for seating and some foldout seats for those with sensitive bums around the lone campfire, lit and flickering wildly.

The tents are also set up for some reason! (They're for naps.)

There are multiple picnic tables. The first and smallest provide finger sized portions of tamago sando and fruit sando. The next couple of tables are bigger: build-your-own bars for sandwiches, salads, hotdogs, burgers, and s'mores! There is, of course, a table for alcohol and other drinks.

At the center table is a cake, German chocolate and winter-themed with five little fondant ornaments placed by five different hands, and strangely enough, there is a dish of roast pork with parsley sauce right next to it. If asked what the dish is, tabibito will answer with something that sounds like "Steak Flakes Persimmons" at first before they pronounce it properly and fluidly: Stegt flæsk med persillesovs.

Eat up! Have fun chatting! And don't forget to dedicate a toast to Zelkova! ]

A BREAK

[ A little out of the way, in a small clearing, guests will notice there are a couple of ugly pinatas strung about: there are exactly three of them and they're all the letter C in a putrid green. Guests are encouraged to use their own weapons, though a wooden stick is provided.

If piñatas aren't their thing, there's also a giant watermelon, a blindfold in the design of an angry pomchi, and a wooden baseball bat. Ok, so watermelon smashing is a beach thing, but why not take their anger out on something right? They've all been through a lot. ]

SHE DANCES ON THE WIND

[ Midway through the party, tabibito calls for a moment of remembrance for Uta. tabibito will toast to her memory with a quiet smile because she was all smiles all the time and so full of drive - but everyone is free and welcome to honor her memory as they wish. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He turns to Ganymede with a small smile. ]

I do. I can tell there was a lot of effort put into it.

[ And due to everything going on— ]

What about you?

[ Sure, it's his birthday celebration, but still. ]

There certainly was.

[ ...Ah, well, there's the question.

But, he almost feels amused enough for a smile. ]

...I think it looks decent, if that's what you meant.

I can tell, just by looking, there's a lot of effort in what's been put together. But, I wasn't sure if there'd be anything up, considering everything.

[ The fact they're trapped, and then there's the death announcement too. That Ganymede is in denial about because it can't be real, thanks!! ]

I didn't expect this either for that reason too.

[ He smiles, but it's smaller than most of his usual smiles. ]

It shows the strength of the people here, if you ask me. Everyone wants to feel some kind of happiness in spite of everything.

It does.

[ Everyone wanting to feel happiness in spite of everything is a rather good descriptor. ]

I'm sure everyone will try their best to keep this sort of momentum going. [ Curbing the 'yeah but will it last' for Zelkov's birthday in a way ] If we're not able to have moments like these...it'd make it hard to face the reality that's in front of us.

People need small, happy moments to keep them going. It makes hardship easier... or I'd like to think that's how it all works.

[ But who is to say, really, if that's how it works for the complex and multifaceted people around him? ]

...No, I think you're right about that.

If life was only full of hardships, then most people, you know, wouldn't figure it'd be worth it at all.

[ At least, that's his own perspective. One he is certain that can only be true, more than anything. ]

And, I don't think I'm too surprised that you'd understand that too.

[ He can see that—people need that sort of balance, he's come to find. ]

Really? Why aren't you surprised?

[ Is it because he learns quickly? He's curious. ]

Well...because you seem like a normal person.

You have your own unique quirks, but you're able to view things in a deeper way, like other people do.

[ Ganymede has seen a lot from Zelkova lately, but even before there, he had that sense. Like some sort of empathy; maybe it's evolved. Yet he had a feeling that it was there all along. ]

A deeper way...?

[ That's a new thought for him, and something he's never really thought about. Though self reflection isn't something Zelkova typically performs. ]

That might be true, but I still think the rest of you can think on an even deeper level.

That's right.

[ There's a moment of pause on Ganymede's end, as he seems to be considering something, before he just earnestly asks: ]

Why do you think you're unable to think as deep as we can?

My experiences and my emotions aren't as rich or deep.

[ He doesn't feel as strong—he doesn't cry, he doesn't yell. While he's felt warm and happy, those negative feelings have yet to reach him, at least beyond the empty sadness he feels with Uta's situation.

That kind of feeling is new. ]

I also don't have the same knowledge of the outside world. That impacts things too.

[ Even so, Ganymede isn't sure he could say Zelkova would be less 'deep' about these things.

Maybe in a sense it is true, because of the fact he's still developing, he thinks. Though... ]

...I think it's true that you have some ways to go.

Though, it doesn't mean you haven't been able to consider things deeply in your own way too. You might not feel the way we do, but I believe there's something at least that gets you there.

And as time goes on, you're just going to build on that.

I hope so.

[ It's a nice sentiment, at the very least, one that fills him with some kind of... real, genuine hope? Odd. ]

I bet that's what I was programmed for anyway. To build on all of that.

[ Sometimes, hope is a thing that grows when allowed to blossom. ]

I think so too, actually. Even if I don't know a single thing about programming.

[ Yet, he says this with such confidence anyway. ]

[ That makes him laugh, particularly the confidence. ]

That's fine. You don't really need to know about it... at least in my opinion.

[ Good!! ]

You have a point. I'll leave that stuff to the people who do.

...Did you try out the food yet?

[ Can Zelkova eat like they can? Ganymede doesn't actually recall, but he asks anyway. ]

I have! I've tried some of the cake and cider that Faunus brought.

[ They were both pretty delicious. ]

I'm not used to eating food, but it might be nice to try every now and then.

You did? Did that make you get a sweet tooth?

[ Ganymede makes a note to try the cake. He's definitely probably at least had some cider by now. ]

...I guess for you it'd be like eating a snack or something.

It's like a snack, yup! It's not essential for me like it is for the rest of you, but it's nice enough to have.

[ He pauses and contemplates that question, however. ]

I don't think I have a sweet tooth, though.

[ He doesn't think that he does? ]

...You don't? What kinds of food have you liked most, then?

Pizza!

[ A very simple answer... ]

[ Sometimes some things really are simple. But not most things. ]

So you're maybe a cheese person.

Have you tried macaroni and cheese?

[ He tilts his head. ]

Macaroni and cheese...? No, I haven't. Do you like it?

I do. It's really good...and not at the party.

But, I can make you some sometime.

[ Especially since the game is now a very real reality, aha. ]

I'd like that a lot, actually!

[ He'd gladly accept an invitation to eat some mac and cheese. ]

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ganymed - 2023-10-16 02:53 (UTC) - Expand

dzelkva - 2023-10-16 19:00 (UTC) - Expand