Well it's time to celebrate your birthday, it happens every year

[pinprick]

WHO: Anders, Nathaniel, and invitees!
WHAT: Fancy birthday party in Camp Shady
WHEN: Harvestmere 27, evening
WHERE: Camp Shady
NOTES: Will update.

Since many Wardens moved into the Kestrel House, there is plenty of space in the camp for a big top tent. Finding enough candlesticks, tables, and chairs required a lot of time and a number of bribes to pull off. The tables are nicely draped with fabric lent by one of Anders' patients, and each is decorated with flowers. The tent is alight and smells like good food--more donations from grateful patients.

One of the Wardens is known for her fiddling, and she plays lively dances and crooning ballads. In the center table is an ice sculpture of a cat chasing a butterfly (you guessed it--donated by a mage patient). It glitters spectacularly in the candlelight.

On the menu is a slow-roasted pig, spiced hot cider, spectacular salads, jams, cakes, delectably seasoned vegetables, a lamb-flank, and your choice of wine. There is even a hard-won bottle of Antivan brandy Nathaniel had to win several card games to achieve.

Relax, enjoy, greet the birthday boy, and mingle. The nights will be cold soon, but under this tent, life glows.

Comments

[wontforgetyou]

"Well, can't say as I've really had a chance to celebrate my birthday as such the past few years anyway."

It's hard enough to keep track of time while traveling with the Doctor as it is, and most of the time he doesn't even think about it as being something of note, which means it's his turn to shrug. But if he still is stuck here next year, then maybe it might not be the worst thing to do, especially if he can talk the cooks into making a few dishes that he likes - something that gets him to grin, after a moment or two.

"Suppose we could see about making a thing out of it, though, so long as there's food. Can't say as I'd mind an excuse for that. In the meantime, though, I'll just have to enjoy what your other half's come up with." His grin stretches a bit wider. "It's a wee bit on the fancy side, I'll admit, but it's quite good."

[bookish_lioness]

While she's still not back at 100%, at least Hermione can manage to smile on what should be someone's birthday celebrations, since it would just be rude to try and bring the mood down in that sort of situation.

There's a moment of confusion at his question before she realizes that it does look sort of like a pouch, and she shakes her head as she gently reaches out for one of them. "No, it's more straightforward than that. Here, let me show you."

Taking one of the gloves, she slips it over one of her hands, though it's clearly far too large for her. But what matters is that she at least has a hand shape there as she explains, "See, when it's cold and you're just traveling, you can keep this bit folded over and secured by this small button here. But if you need to use your hands for something, you can unclasp it and fold it back like this, and then you don't lose dexterity in your fingers as or sacrifice much warmth as you go about your business. I just thought, being a healer... I don't know, perhaps it would come in useful...."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany let out a laugh, covering her mouth after a moment so she could choke down her giggles. "I can't believe he did that... just how much were you annoying him?"

[universal_charm]

"Ribbon, actually, but I think that's semantics for them," he glanced down at the thumb, arching a brow.

Slowly he leaned in, parting his lips and taking the tip into his mouth. He sucked gently, swiping his tongue in quick little circles before pulling back - Sam's thumb clean and Kirk's palette sweetened.

"Back right where it belongs - thank you."

[el_tybs]

Finger clean, Sam still stares at Kirk for a few moments. "I might have to consider taking some jam home," he comments easily. Course he was going to have to wait a little bit before heading back, he couldn't rightfully drag Kirk out since he just got there.

[universal_charm]

"Oh, please do. I'm sure it would taste delicious on other parts of you," he smirked, leaning in to peck Sam's lips before leaning over to take up a new plate.

[el_tybs]

Even though Kirk is saying almost exactly what he is thinking, Sam still cannot help but blush ever so slightly. "Which flavor?" Might as well right? And it's loud enough in the room with the music that people probably can't hear what they're saying.

[universal_charm]

"All of them."

His grin would get him put in jail for public indecency anywhere else. As it is, he pops a bit of meat into his mouth and glances around the table.

"If Nathaniel doesn't mind, I'm sure we could just take their jars home. Otherwise we're doing to have to find some to-go cups."

[universal_charm]

"I'll be sure to make that your next year's present," he assured him, but it was clear he was relieved his gift had gone over well. To be honest he had bought the thing on a whim, spying it as he had in the market. But when he saw it, he could not help but think of Anders, and that made it a good gift, didn't it? He had no idea what else he could have gotten him either.

"It's your birthday, so I will let you get away with such a ridiculous accusation," he reached out to stroke Purrelden.

[el_tybs]

Sam likewise eats a piece of meat, half because he was hungry and the other half because he needed something to concentrate on.

All of them? Sam raises a brow at that. "What, you going to go ask him to take them? 'Pardon me Nathaniel, can I take your jam to wipe it all over someone?'"

[conqueredhearts]

There was something more to the story than she was telling him but he knew now was not the time to be asking for that story. This was a night of celebration and he would not mark Anders' special night like this. So he just smiled at her, letting that part go. It was something he could ask her another time to see if she was willing to answer him. And if not then he wasn't meant to know and that was fine.

"Then I'd say that you repaid them well. Perhaps I know nothing of your talents but I'd say you must be very useful to them. There are not many that can say the would volunteer for such things. Isn't that right, my friend?" That last part was directed to the dog who he vigorously scratched then as if to punctuate his point.

[circleprodigy]

There's a slight easing of tension in her shoulders as he doesn't pursue details; Inessa would rather not mar Anders' party with such dark memories anyway, only wanting to state bald facts. She's never lied about why she has joined the Grey Wardens and won't start now, but the rest can wait for a better time. Or until she knows him better, but so far her impression is that he will react well. Time will tell if that impression is correct.

Garahel responds to the scratching with happy rumbling and closed eyes. Inessa's lips twitch. "If he becomes a furry puddle on the floor, then I hope you're prepared to carry him back for me. I can't possibly do it myself.

And...I like to think I am. My main talent is ice, but I know a little healing and other schools of magic to round myself out. Any mage worth being named such is always perfecting their skills."

[chainlightning]

"If they like flowers, they would! I mean, for some you might need to make sure they know it's not romantic flowers, because sometimes it's confusing. But you could have a note that says something like 'thanks for being a great friend' or 'sorry your dog ate your shoe' and that would be pretty clear, I think."

Though the latter is maybe a bit of a ridiculous reason to send flowers.

"I'm not saying it's bad!" She doesn't want you to feel bad, Anders, especially on your birthday. "I just think that's- the kind of thing he'd like. Like you like cat things and things that can help you do the best you can with patients or being a mage in general and... stuff."

[extramural]

"Yes. Or even heal by drinking water." Sorry no runes enchanted by the Outsider work without his presence, Anders.

"Candles have been lit for me -- lanterns, as well. Lives have been offered, though not typically celibacy." He sounds horribly amused by the thought, actually. "I heard them. I did not always answer; they were not always things I was able to do anything about, and I tend to believe one should make their own impact." Which is probably why he finds so many people utterly boring. "The Void gives me glimpses of many things, past and future, in all time and space. It is- not always pleasant." To put it mildly. "But if it is at a shrine dedicated to me, I always know."

[justice_is_blond]

"That depends on your definition of annoying." He's smug now. He likes making people laugh, and while Bethany is never the most difficult person to get laughing it's still a triumph.

"I may have been making puns the whole trip, and I may have flung my arms around him once while telling him he was my hero after he shot a genlock in the eye." So quite a lot.

[justice_is_blond]

Close gets a snort, though the question has him raising an eyebrow at Purrelden. Later he'll tease Nate about older men, because if that's not an opening for teasing, he doesn't know what is.

"You know, I've not asked her that." He reaches over and rubs the back of Purrelden's head, getting his finger batted at playfully. "Should I train you to do that? Do you think you can catch a bird? Will you do that for us?" A mew is his answer, and he looks back at Alistair.

"That's what she says, but as always, anything a cat says is up to interpretation. They're not as simple-minded as dogs. But I'll see if we can work on that next."

[justice_is_blond]

He smiles back. "It's far fancier than I was expecting, and far beyond anything I've had before. My better half has outdone himself."

By far his better half. Nate never ceases to amaze him, and Anders looks around for a moment before spotting the man and then looking back at Jamie.

"Food should be easy enough to cover. I daresay you've friends with talents as well, as apparently I've wound up with." Music and ice sculptures help make that clear too. "I can't do fancy, yet, but I'm learning. We can see what we can set up. It's... It's nice to celebrate."

To have the freedom to do so, but also the cause.

[justice_is_blond]

Clearly. Purrelden leaps up, clambering to the top of Garahel's head apparently so she can try to get his paw from there and wrestle it down.

While Anders is watching Purrelden carefully to make sure she doesn't go too far, that doesn't keep him from chuckling at Inessa's words. "The only bit of me that's Fereldan is the accent. ...And the better half, but that doesn't mean I'm about to have a mabari imprint on me. I didn't actually know they imprinted until I got the tiny one for Nate, actually. We got lucky."

[justice_is_blond]

"Did you ask for them to worship you or pray to you?" If the Outsider hadn't, then not answering all of the prayers is excusable. The fact that he answers any at all is even hugely in his favor. Otherwise... Otherwise he has mixed feelings, but for once he's waiting before leaping to conclusions and judgment. The spirit is interesting and friendly. He deserves a chance.

"Though I can see how the setup wouldn't be always enjoyable." There's so much wrong with Thedas, and the Outsider hadn't sounded optimistic the few times he'd spoken of his world. Seeing more cruelty than what greets one's eyes would be painful.

[extramural]

"I asked for none of it."

His answer is quick, sharp; it is a crack of a whip across the festivities, even if it is only audible to the two of them. There is a faint twist of his features afterward; he is not prone to outbursts like that, does not favor them. Yet here one rests between them.

"I did not ask to be put through a ritual and murdered when I was nothing and no one." He is forced to take a breath, to be less like a shark savaging through prey, less like the waters of a storm. He is not human. He perceives things differently, even if it is different here than in his own world. He must remember that. "I did not ask for prayers. I ask for nothing but that people try to be interesting, and even then, I seldom ask it in person."

Unless they're already interesting, it's not worth his time.

[justice_is_blond]

"I'll include a note." If flowers will be welcome, then that's an easy way to show appreciation. He's sometimes not very good with words and he doesn't like being misunderstood, but flowers and a note sounds like a decent way to do things. Though he's probably not going to be apologizing for someone else's dog. Possibly his cat.

"And you're right. That is the sort of thing he likes. Practical, useful. Things that aren't too flashy and are sturdy." It's... Nate. Nate can be flashy too, he has his moments, beautiful and shining, but Nate is utterly dependable and steady while Anders is more of the fancy and flitting type.

"You're... You're decent at reading people, aren't you." It's not really a surprise. He knows Merrill is smarter than she often seems.

[justice_is_blond]

The man was unique. That was not up for debate. Anders found himself really wondering about the sort of world Iskandar came from that he was like this - so free with emotion, faith, expression.

"Is everyone where you're from like this? So open and free?"

[justice_is_blond]

He's fairly certain he's younger than her, and 'boy,' while not entirely appropriate, isn't too far off considering their respective ages. But he's not going to say as much. He likes being on Teren's not-icy side.

"Thank you. I like being a part of this club, even if I didn't expect to get this far into it." And sometimes he hadn't wanted to. But that doesn't matter right now. He's enjoying himself and he has every reason to live. This is new and something to be treasured. "I'm going to guess you've had some moments like that yourself." Conscription and all.

[justice_is_blond]

"Ridiculous nothing. You are." Purrelden leaned forward, seeking the petting and replying with purring almost right away.

"And let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. It's rather a surprise that I made it to a point where I could pick a birthday. A whole year on top of that is certainly a goal, but it's also a challenge. You don't have to start planning right away. Especially as I've no idea when yours is, or even if the seasons of our world line up with those of yours."

[universal_charm]

"Now you's getting ahead of themselves? As if I would let you do something foolish enough not making it to next year's birthday so I can give you the companion present," he tsked his tongue at him, practically chiding. "As for my own birthday - Thedas has the same amount of months as Earth's calendar, and generally the same days. So based on that, my birthday is the first month of the year, on the 4th day of the month."

As he talked he continued to scratch Purrelden, working one finger behind her ear and down to the base of her skull.