[open] BIRTHDAY PICNIC

[tinged]

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. ]

Comments

[dzelkva]

[ Zelkova laughs lightly, grinning as he picks up one of the glasses to have a sip. He doesn't usually eat or drink the food that's on offer, but his birthday is a good exception. ]

It's tasty! You picked out a good one.

[bleatingedge]

[Damn right he did! Leo hums contentedly as he sips from his own glass.]

Glad you like it!

[There's a bit of a lull while he continues to enjoy the beverage... and his expression darkens just a tad as he decides what to say next.]

How do you feel about all of this? Our whole situation, I mean.

[dzelkva]

...I want all of you to stay safe.

[ Though he knows now that that simply isn't possible. ]

It's a pretty big wish, I know, especially after everything.

[bleatingedge]

I share your sentiment. The fact that I agree with it so strongly is what's currently hurting me right now.

[Leo closes his eyes.]

There's so many of us. And I'm not sure if I can help all of them. But lord knows I've been trying. It's taking a lot out of me, though.

[dzelkva]

[ Zelkova looks at him for a long, long moment as if he's contemplating something. ]

How can I help? Do you need a place to rest?

[ He may be a guildmaster, but sometimes you need some place different, a place that you aren't responsible for. ]

[bleatingedge]

[Leo's eyes reopen slowly, but not all the way.]

I've got plenty of places to rest my body. I don't have anywhere to rest from my brain, if that makes sense.

[dzelkva]

It does.

[ Especially with the way they're all stuck... ]

If you can think of any ways that I can help with that... I'd be glad to. I bet you're not the only one feeling that way.

[bleatingedge]

Will do. In the meantime, let's try to enjoy ourselves here and now. It's a party after all! Your party, to be specific!

[Leo holds his glass out for Zelkova to clink against.]

[dzelkva]

[ He grins, holding out his glass to clink it, despite a bit of hesitation. He's never clinked glasses before! ]

Then let's enjoy it! I hope you go play some of the games.

[bleatingedge]

That's the plan! Games, mingling, and of course, food.

[And ignoring mental problems. But you knowwwww. Not important right now.]

[dzelkva]

[ Ah, yes. What 90% of this game is very good at. ]

Good. Make the most of it. That's what parties like this are for, right?

[bleatingedge]

Ab-so-lutely.

[Leo goes to turn away, then stops halfway through and looks back to Zelkova.]

Uh. Not really sure if you have similar... issues compared to us in the brain department, but if you need to talk about stuff, I'm open.

[dzelkva]

[ Zelkova looks somewhat confused for a moment (what is depression?), but understanding dawns on him not long after.

And so, he gives Leo a small smile. ]

I appreciate it, Faunus. You're a nice guy. The same goes for you too.

[bleatingedge]

I'll definitely keep that in mind. Enjoy the rest of your party, Zelkova~

[And with that, Leo finally absconds to somewhere else in the gathering.]