[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

[deto]

[ doubt

but it takes him a moment to reply anyway. when nanashi makes this face, deto thinks he could have stood up for himself if he had people to support him. but it sounds like he didn’t have anyone at all

it just. doesn’t sit right with him ]

So I’ll be the one on fire instead?

[justonezero]

I'll heal you if you do, but please try to avoid it!

[His tone is cheerful, but he doesn't want to see Deto hurt at all, if they can help it.]

Injuries don't always heal instantly here. I'll keep you topped off, but if you take too much damage like a broken bone or a heavy wound, my spells might not take effect fast enough.

[deto]

Think this is what people call irony.

[ did he finish the s’mores? because if not, deto will push the rest of it into nanashi’s mouth so they can move onto the next dish. oh chocolate on his fingers, he’ll lick that off. ]

All of what you just said.

[justonezero]

[He didn't, because he's busy fretting about Deto in this hypothetical dungeon run, nibbling at his s'mores like an actual rabbit.]

Eh- is it?

[deto]

[ everything he says next comes out in sullen mutters as he puts together a hotdog for them to share. ]

You’re worried about my wounds, when I’m fine. But you’re practical bleeding right now and you don’t care at all.

[justonezero]

...Huh? I'm not hurt!

[deto]

Or you just don’t notice. I dunno, maybe you’ve been bleeding for so long that you’re just used to it now.

[justonezero]

I told you, I'm not bleeding...

[Finishing off the s'mores though.]

[deto]

[ deto taps his head - jk, he actually taps his heart. ]

Right here, you are.

[justonezero]

[Looking down at his heart. And then back to Deto, smiling softly.]

My heart doesn't hurt, either. It hasn't hurt in a long, long time.

[deto]

[ that’s. terrible…

at first listen, nanashi’s words sound fine. but the more deto thinks about it, the more he realizes just how messed up they are. deto itches to do something about it, about nanashi’s words and his smile, but he can only sit here underleveled with a hotdog in hand. he feels pathetic tbh ]

It should hurt - if it doesn’t, how do you know when you’re in pain? [ and maybe the way he tears the hotdog in half is a little aggressive, but the way he hands it over is. gentle. like an offering ] …When did it stop?

[justonezero]

If there's no pain, that means I'm not hurt, doesn't it?

[That's what he always assumed...

He takes the hotdog half, taking a bite and tilting his head thoughtfully as he thinks over Deto's question. It isn't until he's swallowed that he replies:]

Elementary... maybe early middle school?

[deto]

Even - even happiness hurts sometimes, Nacchin.

[ that’s a third of their life basically. the first bite of his hotdog is glum, about the same amount of enthusiasm as eating dirt. which is how he feels right now, low as dirt, wishing he could dig them both out ]

[justonezero]

Does it?

[That doesn't sound right...

But that and the hotdog are put aside for a moment when he notices Deto's expression, leaning in a bit to get a better look.]

Eh- did I make you sad?

[deto]

[ no.

yes.

deto’s not gonna answer that question directly; he turns his face away just slightly ]

Don’t look. I’m being real uncool right now.

[justonezero]

Sorry. I didn't mean to. I can look away.

[Doing so!]

...I don't think you're uncool, though. I upset people a lot.

[deto]

I’m not upset at you. It’s more what happened to you. I’m mad I can’t change any of it, the stuff that’s already happened.

[ he can’t go charging in ]

[justonezero]

That's upsetting...?

[He'd understand if it was Nanashi himself. That's just normal. But being upset at his circumstances?

How confusing.]

...Why?

[deto]

[ turning his face away even more. ]

Isn’t it obvious?

[justonezero]

Not really...

It's normal for people to get upset because of me, not because of what happened to me.

[deto]

Then just consider me not normal when it comes to you.

[ even though he thinks the guys that treated nanashi like trash are the abnormal ones. actual scum ]

If I say it’s because we’re friends, will you believe me?

[justonezero]

[He really has to think that one over. But eventually:]

...I guess so.

[Slowly - not out of reluctance or disbelief, just unfamiliarity.]

[deto]

Okay, but do you get why?

[justonezero]

[Nervous "I have no idea" smile.]

[deto]

[ he’s not turning his head to look, but the silence says it all ]

… Knew it. Can you try reasoning it out?