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

[el_tybs]

As he listens, Sam nods his head lightly at Anders' words, fingers tapping on his mug all the while. "You're... glad?" Normally people said 'I'm happy' when saying such things. Just a curious choice of words.

"Does Nate know this person?" He's not just about to ask whom they were since that might be a bit too private. Course Anders was dipping into his personal life...

[justice_is_blond]

"I'm glad." Happiness is almost always twinged with guilt, even though he's felt it several times tonight. If asked, he'll explain, but if Sam simply repeats the word he doesn't intend to elaborate.

"And yes. Nate knows them, and even knows how I feel. It's too important to not tell the full truth with."

[el_tybs]

Perhaps a different day he would press about it, but considering it was Anders' birthday party and the man wasn't saying more on his own, Sam was just going to leave it at that.

"Sounds like you're very open with each other."

[justice_is_blond]

Anders' expression turns wry.

"Hiding things never seems to turn out well," he half-drawls. They both know what he's referring to, he's pretty sure. "But more seriously, I've never mislead him and I'm not about to. What he doesn't know could hurt him and I've..." He sighs and the amusement fades away. "I've hurt enough people. I'd like it if I could avoid doing that again."

[el_tybs]

Sam hums lightly in agreement at that, letting the seriousness of those words sit there for a moment.

"You're a pretty lucky guy to have someone like him," he says after a moment though, a small smile pulling at his lips. "I mean, having to deal with Purrelden using him like a bed and all." He doesn't know Nate himself very well, but the man clearly cared for Anders, standing by him this long and even throwing this party.

[justice_is_blond]

"I'm very lucky," Anders says as the smile returns in part. "He's amazing. Steady, earnest, compassionate..." He shakes his head. "I'm the luckiest person in Thedas to have his love and support. You can be second-luckiest, I'll give you that."

[el_tybs]

Honestly didn't every man feel like they were the luckiest when they found something like that? Especially men like them. "Second-luckiest. Well aren't I fortunate? Suppose I'll have to just accept that. Hard to argue since he's given you such a fine party. I must say the jams are rather good."