[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]

[ He smiles back. Getting carried away at parties is natural, it means people are having fun, so he's glad to see it. ]

I think I'd like to wish for everyone's safety. Or their happiness.

[rebelles]

That's a wonderful wish.

[ Wholesome and very Zelkova. ]

We're lucky to have you as our guide. I still remember the first day when you gave us our starter equipment.

[dzelkva]

I'm glad you think so.

[ It means something to him, especially when he was (rightfully) met with suspicion early on. ]

It's too bad none of that equipment was very good. I hope you've managed to get equipment you like in the meantime.

[rebelles]

[ It's okay, Haru was too noob at the time to scrutinize the weapons too much. Though she's very happy to have since upgraded to a bigger, badder gun. ]

Oh, yes. My gun fires much better now. I should think about enhancing it for the battles ahead though.

[ It can always be bigger and badder. ]

[dzelkva]

[ He's clearly happy to hear that, as he grins. ]

You should! I think you can enhance it with the professions. You've got plenty of time to do it now.

[ For better or worse, given that they're stuck here. ]

[rebelles]

I'll look into it. There's no time to sit around and mope.

[ True, she's found herself with plenty of time on her hands without school to study for or responsibilities to attend to. Plus, Haru finds that keeping busy helps keep the dread from creeping in. ]

What have you been up to, Zelkova?

[dzelkva]

[ He smiles at that—it's good to see that she's going to put whatever negative feelings she might have right now into action instead. ]

The same as always. [ Then again, the game has always been "home" to him. ] Exploring areas whenever I feel like, but mostly staying in my guild's @.home.

[rebelles]

There were a lot of hidden areas discovered that are really nice. Come to think of it, did you know they existed?

[ She had thought that Zelkova might have already been familiar with the ins and outs of Fragment, but it sounded like he was exploring like the rest of them. ]

[dzelkva]

I sought out the recreational areas, made sure they had no glitches, and then opened them up to the rest of you.

[ So it's a mix—he explores like the rest of them do, but he has a more expansive library of keywords he can pick and choose. ]

[rebelles]

Oh! So that's what you meant by exploring. We have you to thank for all these nice areas.

[ She appreciates it. Taking a walk by the beach or watching a movie is a good way to destress, especially in these uncertain times. ]

[dzelkva]

It's no problem, really. I'm glad to give everyone areas that they can enjoy. I think watching people be happy in them is enough thanks for me.

[ It's all he needs, really. ]

[rebelles]

That's just like you.

[ Always thinking of the players. Even his birthday wish had been for them. It might just be the nature of Zelkova's existence, but hmm. ]

You're always working so hard for us. Do you have time for your own hobbies?

[dzelkva]

I don't really have hobbies, but I do have time to myself.

[ And he spends it in his guild. ]

[rebelles]

[ Oh...why does that seem sad to her. ]

Have you thought about trying out different hobbies?

[dzelkva]

I haven't, actually.

[ Is that even sadder? ]

But if you have ideas for anything you think I should try, I'll give it a shot.

[ Anything he can do within the confines of the game is something he'd be glad to try, even if he'd much rather everyone else get enjoyment out of hobbies here over himself. ]

[rebelles]

[ That's tragic! At least to Haru who dabbles in many hobbies. She hums in thought, already ideas are bubbling to mind. ]

There are books to read at the library. Drawing's a good one you can do anywhere. Some people like to keep active and go swimming or running. You can also join me for gardening.

[dzelkva]

[ Those all sound like fun, but honestly? One hobby in particular catches his attention. ]

I'd love to join you for gardening sometime.

[rebelles]

You're most welcome to. I've been gardening on my guild's plot. Message me whenever you want to come by.

[ She would be happy to show him the ropes. We'll find you a hobby yet, Zelkova. ]

[dzelkva]

Okay, I will! I'd love to see it.

[ He's always admired the flowers around a variety of areas, so he'd love to see what she's done herself. ]