riverviewlogs | [OPEN] apple pie is officially banned from this party, aka Steve Rogers' birthday

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[OPEN] apple pie is officially banned from this party, aka Steve Rogers' birthday

who: ANYONE
what: 616 Bucky, Peggy, and 616 Tony throw a birthday party for Steve.
when: July 4th, afternoon into the evening
where: A nice park
warnings: Birthday fun. :v

Steve Rogers, former (and still) Captain America, was born on the Fourth. It was pretty much fated. That said, he deserves a party that has nothing to do with Independence Day, and that's what Bucky, Tony, and Peggy set out to do. They rented a nice little park with some good open, grassy space perfect for a pick-up game of football (American, of course). On one end of the park, in the relative shade of a couple of large trees, they've set up two long tables - one for food, and one to deposit presents for the birthday boy on. The picnic tables already in the park have nice blue tablecloths to eat on. A banner hung between the trees proclaims, "Happy Birthday, Steve!", in blue letters on white.

The decor tries to stay away from Fourth of July colors - there isn't a speck of red, just shades of blue and white, and it's all very put-together and classy looking (thank you, Peggy and Tony). It's the sort of party they thought Steve would want, outdoorsy and casual, just a gathering of friends and whoever else wants to come by to wish the birthday boy a happy one.

Invites
Invitations have mostly been word of mouth and texts sent to people Steve is friends with, nothing too fancy. They just say to drop by and wish Steve a happy birthday, have some food, and spend some time hanging out; Rogers wouldn't want anything fancy anyway. That said, they won't turn anybody away from the barbecue if someone decides to just crash the party, as long the behavior stays respectful.

Food
The food is mostly standard American barbecue fare. Two large grills have been set up near the tables and someone (often Bucky) is usually cooking on them - an array of burgers, hot dogs, steaks, even some ribs and chicken. Side dishes are laid out on the food table, the usual simple things. Here and around the picnic tables are a good place to mingle; there's plenty of food for everyone, and metal tubs full of ice and bottled soft drinks. There isn't much alcohol present at this party, though, just one of the tubs set aside with beers in it.

There's also a massive cake for Steve, with close to a hundred candles dotting its layers - Bucky's idea, payback for the time he couldn't see his own cake for all the candles.

Tossin' the Old Pigskin
They're all (mostly) adults here, so there aren't 'party games' necessarily, but there are a couple of footballs and some frisbees in the grass for anyone who wants to play a game in the lush field. Just be careful if the heavy hitters decide to arrange a game, it could get pretty out of hand.

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[ Well. He wasn't expecting to see someone less at ease than himself and Loki had a convenient excuse on hand. What excuse was floundering around in Stark's head? ]

Not enough drinks for you?

[The voice makes Tony stop and sigh, but his expression is already shifting into something arch as he turns to face Loki. This, at least, he knows how to deal with. No ambiguity here.]

Beer's not quite my style. What happened to the cape, or is that only for formal occasions?

The cape works best for presence, not for birthday parties. No matter how momentous it may seem to mortals.

[Tony gives him a dry look and somehow resists the urge to point out that momentous or not, Loki actually deigned to turn up. The fact that he was invited at all means that Tony's going to play nice.

Or try to, anyway.]

Yeah, that's definitely what I think when I see capes. Presence. Do you ever get stuck in revolving doors?

[ His expression flickers minutely. It's still telling, a little off center for someone like Loki. There's a lot on his mind right now. ]

Do you still have those? I thought Midgard society would have outgrown their need to fixate on spinning objects.

[That flicker makes Tony pause for half a second, but he honestly has no idea what to make of it. Something to file away for later, maybe. It's not like he knows the guy well enough to have any concept of what's standard for him. Maybe he's just wishing they were a little higher so he'd have something to throw Tony off of, who knows.]

No, we're still big on spinning. It's a sign of progress, very important.

Perhaps someday your technology will match one of our children's toys. A high point.

[ Loki raises the beer bottle to his lips, taking a sip. His neck bobs. He frowns at the taste of it, pulling it back after a few seconds. ]

[And Tony can't quite suppress a snicker at the expression on his face.]

Not a beer guy, huh? Should have taken me up on that drink when I offered it.

[ That's not the reason, but Loki lets it be. Assumptions are his superpower. ]

I doubt there was anything in your collection worthwhile.

Well, [Tony gives a too-easy shrug, eyes fixed on him] when your options are non-worthwhile alcohol or a spot of light mass murder, you take what you can get, right?

And here I thought you dabbled in both.

But I suppose beggars can't be choosers.

Dabbling, maybe. [He flashes a tooth-baring smile.] But I'm not the one who went home in a muzzle, am I?

Your information is woefully out of date, Stark.

[ Seriously, that was 2012. Move on. ]

But I heard you took home some killer robots and effectively destroyed all kind of team harmony.

[ A pause as he raises his bottle in cheers. ]

You've beaten me.

[He 'heard', huh? That doesn't make Tony suspicious at all.

But he'll be damned if he's going to let Loki know that he's scored a hit.]

Yep, that's me. Scourge of the Avengers. Guess I managed what you never could without trying. Now how about that?

[ Tony is always suspicious. Thankfully, Thor informed Loki of some details and it was enough to go by. Besides, when it came to the Avengers, very little guesswork is required. At Tony's statement though, Loki simply looks exasperated. ]

If this is your idea of winning, Stark, I hate to see you lose. Are you really trying to beat me in being terrible?

[Tony has no idea what he's doing, but that's never stopped him before. Running his mouth without realizing what's coming out of it is nothing new.

This, however, might be a new level. And he's still not going to admit that Loki has a point. Probably ever.]

Wouldn't dream of it.

[But he finds himself peering at Loki without really meaning to.]

Why are you even here? If humanity is so far beneath you.

I was invited.

[ Even if he doesn't look terribly pleased, he doesn't look annoyed either. More uncomfortable, like Loki knows he's stepped well out of his comfort zone and is waiting for someone to call him out on it. ]

So was I, what's your point?

[Even if Loki's invite was possibly more genuinely offered. Now that stings.]

You still chose to turn up. And you haven't even tried to get anyone to kneel yet.

The difference between your invite and mine, Stark, is that people don't invite me to be polite.

[ At Tony's last statement, though, Loki rolls his eyes hard. He doesn't mind or even mildly annoyed. Pettiness is all well and good, but he has already laid his ambitions of Earth to rest. ]

While I am aware that your defeat of me was the highlight of your illustrious career, this continued train of thought makes me wonder if you're simply keen of trying to prove yourself better because you have fallen so far or whether you have a subconscious masochistic urge.

Or both. I'm assuming it's both.

[Tony has his mouth open to say something, probably stupid, but then something in him just. Snaps.

What is he doing? Is he really trying to prove himself better than Loki? Is he really failing at it?

There's a dark, roiling place in the back of his mind that he's been trying to ignore this whole time, maybe since he found out Loki was here. The one that knows he's the worst kind of hypocrite. The one that's desperate to know how Loki can be so easily forgiven when no one seems willing to let Tony even forget. This is where he is now. Great.

Tony shakes his head to try to clear it, but it feels like he's moving slightly too slow. ]

Yeah maybe. [It sounds flat even to him, and he flicks Loki a smile with no real humor in it.] You know, somebody asked me how I live with myself. I'm glad you've got it figure out. Enjoy the party.

[He touches his knuckles to his forehead like an incredibly lazy salute and turns to go. God, he needs a drink.]

[ Okay. He had expected another witty rejoinder, not . . . defeat. And while it still tastes sweet and he'll treasure it, Loki makes an annoyed sound at the back of his throat as he speaks up. ]

It is not my party. Don't do that to Steve.

[Tony stops, pure confusion the only thing that makes him turn back slightly.]

As you so helpfully pointed out, I was only barely invited. I'm not sure ducking out early counts as a grave insult.

[ Loki's voice is firm. ]

Do not do that to Steve.

Do what? You -- [Tony catches himself before he can really start snapping, and clenches his jaw for a moment to make himself settle back down.]

Look. I am not good company right now. Trust me when I say it's better if I excuse myself.

[Finishing out his breakdown right here in public would probably be a lot more disruptive. And he is not going to let himself do that, especially not in front of Steve. Either of them.

Why Loki is so set on this, god only knows. But Tony is not in the right frame of mind to try to puzzle it out.]

I'll go say goodbye if it bothers you that damn much.

[ Loki barely restrains a snort at Tony's remark of "trusting himself". It's quite clear the man no longer does so or does anyone else. It's far too close to Loki's own state of mind though, so he deftly avoids that. He hasn't forgotten his last conversation with the other Stark, one that rattled too long in his head. ]

He's used to that.

[ Loki is pretty sure Steve gets off bad company because it gives him a chance to steam roll them. ]

But do so, then.

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