{ CLOSED } If I just breathe

[aceso]

WHO: Christine and her closest friends
WHAT: A birthday picnic.
WHEN: Bloomingtide 13th
WHERE: the foothills of the Vimmarks, an hour NW of Kirkwall

As with most things, Christine overplans for her picnic. She studies maps and speaks with the locals about the safest areas outside Kirkwall and finds that heading towards the foothills of the mountains around mid-morning is probably her safest bet. She invites those nearest and dearest to her to join her for a birthday celebration, though it's by no means fancy. There will be plenty of food, drink, and activities to be had, but the part she's most excited about is just leaving Kirkwall. To breathe fresh air and see some greenery again. The brief respite she had for Aleron and Bethany's wedding made her crave this outing all the more.

On the day, they load up their mounts with the supplies and head out. The trip only takes around an hour and the path is well kept, so when she spots the large maple tree and stream cutting through that a local told her about, she knows they've reached the picnic spot. It's a wide, mostly flat field that starts to rise towards the north. To the east at the end of the field, it rises more sharply, the hills dotted with heavy stones. To the west is the path they've veered off, the large tree, and the stream that keeps going west under a short wooden bridge. And to the south is the view. Green hills descend before them, and while there's a hint of Kirkwall's Hightown within sight, what they can see beyond is the shimmer of sunlight on the Waking Sea. Now it's time to set out the blankets, let the mounts graze and lap water from the stream, and relax. Oh, and release the hounds, cats, and fox. Some of them brought their pets.

Comments

yes, i have a wine pouring icon.

[aceso]

"If you all insist," Christine says, though it's really meant as a joke. No one has to twist her arm to get her to drink wine. She takes the bottle from Hermione and wiggles the cork back and forth until it gives with a satisfying pop. Once all those partaking have their glasses, she moves around the blankets, filling each until they say when. Then she settles back and swirls the drink under her nose.

"I do want to thank you all again for coming here today. You already have made my birthday very special."

[lionheartedman]

Cullen, in keeping with the general tradition of his life, has just barely missed the mark. Here, at this lovely picnic, he has brought a large clay pot filled with a hearty stew that is both delicious and entirely inappropriate for outdoor eating. He did make it himself, though. He spent the whole morning working on this dish, and if no one tries any, he'll still be happy that he at least stepped away from his desk as Christine keeps asking him to. He did something productive.

Wine, though. Wine he can get behind. He accepts a cup, and raises it in Christine's direction when she speaks her simple toast. "I know I can only speak for myself, but I also feel that I'm not alone in thinking that you are a very remarkable woman and I feel lucky to have you as a friend."