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

[justice_is_blond]

Anders smirks.

"Remember Alistair walking the tightrope? I think I did exceptionally well for Nate's birthday. It wasn't publicized as such, but Alistair was game and he and Nate don't precisely see eye-to-eye on... many things. So Nate got to watch that, and have snacks and people around without a huge fuss." He's pretty proud of what he did. "I don't know if you've seen the collar and leash on Lady, either, but she's wearing what I gave him for her. Granted, I need to think about next year. But that's nearly a year off."

[samahl]

Cyril grins at that, pleased to hear that the two of them had had a good day for Nate as well. "Well, that gives you plenty of time to think of something good."

[justice_is_blond]

"It should. And what of you? Are you planning a special day for anyone any time soon?" Aside from a literal birth day coming up in a few months here, he's not sure who else has a birthday this time of year. Truth be told, he's not paid a lot of attention to it. That's something he needs to remedy, and he will.

[samahl]

"I guess I should try to do something shouldn't I?" He's thoughtful for a moment. "I have both Sam and Taas to plan for and considering one was in a Circle and one was Qunari, neither of them are likely to be used to that sort of thing. That should make my bar set super low but also puts a lot of pressure on making sure it's good."

[justice_is_blond]

He starts to look thoughtful too.

"Does Sam know when his birthday is? Or Taas. That could be another challenge on top of planning something, figuring it out or simply choosing something that would do. I had to choose, but I don't know how Sam's Circle was."

[samahl]

Cyril's attention focuses completely on Anders again, and for a moment his eyes are narrow and his jaw is tense. After a moment, though, he lets some of that tension go and shakes his head.

"The more I find out about the Circles..." he says, quietly, and lets himself trail off. He imagines that Anders can get that there's anger there and disgust. If anyone here could, it would be him.

"I'm sorry you were put in that position, but you picked at good day."

[justice_is_blond]

He picks up on it, and glances down.

"Some, I hear, treated their mages almost like people. White Spire was the closest to that, so it's possible he knows his birthday. He wasn't in Kinloch Hold, Starkhaven, Dairsmuid, or Kirkwall, so there are some mercies for him." Some, but not all. Almost, but not quite. This is why they can never go back.

"With work, maybe we'll not land in that position again. Especially when there are good days like this." Anders looks out at the gathered people. "There are times like this one when I can actually hope for the future. If people can like me, then they can like any mage. They can see the personhood of any mage."

[samahl]

Cyril considers Anders for a moment and then after a moment he reaches out and touches Anders's arm. It's a gentle, comforting touch, and one that he'd be okay with Nate overseeing. He doesn't linger for too long, after all.

"I certainly like you, and I'm glad you're having a good birthday." Then, after a moment, "I'm not sure if a Dalish elf's opinion is going to sway everyone but I'll still do what I can to make sure that mages don't go backward." For one, he was never going to let anyone put Sam or any of the other mages he knew back into a Circle.

[justice_is_blond]

Anders bows his head at the touch before giving Cyril a small smile.

"Your opinion matters. I know there are some who will not listen to you due to what you are, but they're wrong. Anyone who sees matters of birth as defining lines is wrong, and I value you and your support. And your presence here today. You've been a friend, Cyril, and one I greatly appreciate." He reaches over to place a hand on Cyril's shoulder for a moment as well; physical contact means everything to him and the fact that Cyril's reached out says something similar.

"Thank you."

[samahl]

Cyril grins at the touch, enjoying it. He also can't help but feel comforted that he's helped Anders feel more supported. "You're welcome," he says.

Then, after a moment, "I should probably leave you to more of your guests," he admits. "And I really am going to go talk to that beauty over there." He means Iskandar since they had just been talking about him. "Wish me luck?" He knows he doesn't really need it, but it's still fun to ask.

[justice_is_blond]

He smirks as he looks over at Iskandar again.

"Good luck, Cyril. Though I'm sure you'll have him eating out of your hand in no time. And thank you for coming." With that, he's ready to go find other guests. Cyril doesn't need encouragement, or luck, but Anders is more than willing to give it.