[OPEN] Eddie's Bday Bash

[franciscoramon]

who: Eddie's friends + any party crashers!
what: A surprise party for Eddie Thawne's 30th birthday
when: forward dated a little to July 4th
where: A nice park not too far from the river
warnings: Spiked drinks, will add as needed

Cisco, Taako, and Yuri have all come together to throw Eddie a party for his 30th birthday!

The party has a chill, summer barbecue vibe; the list of invited guests was limited to people who are friends and coworkers of Eddie, but any characters are welcome to stop by and join in the fun. It takes place in a large park near to the river, with trees and a wide expanse of grass. There is a marquee set up, to protect the party-goers from the bright sun, and casual seating inside on blankets atop the grass. Since Yuri handled the decorations, there's a lot more leopard print than one would expect in this context. Like a lot more.

SURPRISE!

Cisco sent out the invitations went a week in advance, all the details included along with a particularly dire warning that if anyone blabbed to Eddie about even the existence of a party, Cisco would do horrible things to them with science as punishment. Somehow, remarkably (though likely not because of those threats), no one gives away the secret, which means that around 3PM everyone is waiting in the marquee for Taako to lure Eddie in. Cisco goes around, handing everyone party poppers with plenty of confetti and glitter and telling them to hush and get ready for the big moment!

FOOD

If Taako were catering this party for either himself or for someone who had given him free range, there would be a lot of delicate hors d'oeuvres and over the top cakes to feed a crowd of people, but he's managed to keep the theme and the person this party is for in mind, and gone for something a little more chill. The cake(s) is still fancy, as are the mini cakes to go with it, and he had a little fun with the macarons, because what's the point of being an amazing baker if he can't show off.

There are typical munchies set out on a table, although the chips and dips are all handmade rather than store bought, and the cheese and crackers came from a little deli that Taako is particularly fond of. The main event itself is a burger bar, with the assorted meat being cooked on a nearby barbeque by either Taako, or…. a floating set of tools that seem to be keeping a pretty good eye on things, when Taako is off doing whatever it is that he does when he isn't cooking. There's also an assortment of warm and cold salads, for anyone who's into that kind of thing.

There's not an overabundance of food, but it also never seems to look as though things are going to run out. Magic, bitches.

REFRESHMENTS (WITH A LITTLE EXTRA)

About an hour into the party, some mischievous guest takes it upon themselves to add a little something extra to the refreshments, just to make things interesting. But this isn’t your average slipping in a little bit of vodka in the punch on the sly situation. Instead, if your character drinks either of the following, they will feel the following effects:

iced tea: anyone who drinks the iced tea will feel the effects of a mild truth potion. the effects do not compel the drinker to spill unrelated secrets, but are strong enough to prevent white lies and cause some pretty awkward social faux pas.

lemonade: anyone who drinks the lemonade will feel the effects of a mild fascination potion. this potion will cause the person who drinks it to become obsessed with an object, person, or phenomenon that they see or hear within the first two minutes after drinking it. this can encompass anything, so use your creativity – do they become suddenly enthralled with cake? a song that was playing from the dj station? with another partygoer’s shoes?

The effects are cumulative, so if your character fixes themselves an Arnold Palmer, they will become both truthful AND fascinated. The effects last up to four hours.

SINGING & PRESENTS

At some point in the afternoon, everyone will gather around to make Eddie go through the process of blowing out candles on the big cake (Cisco allowed himself to be talked down from 30 individual candles to two candles, one with a 3 and one with an 0). Enthusiastic, hopefully not TOO off-key singing is highly encouraged.

After that, there is a table where anyone who brought a present will have left it by that point; anything, however little or small, however appropriate or inappropriate, is welcome.

DANCING & FIREWORKS

Who doesn’t love a bit of dancing? As the afternoon starts to fade into evening, partygoers who are inclined to shake their moneymakers can move out of the marquee to the small portable dance floor that has been set up on the grass. Nearby is a pretty cushy sound setup with plenty of speakers and Riverview’s own Otabek lending his talents as DJ.

Once sunset has faded and the sky is dark enough to properly appreciate it, a fireworks show has been prepared by Taako, to wrap the night up with a bang!

Comments

OTA (will match styles) - With a prompt for the Birthday Boy

[threatenwithcuteness]

Food

Lola frowns at the tools manning the grill. Not that she distrusts magic, she distrusts cooks she can't yell at if they overcook the meat. Besides, she had an idea for what she wanted to do with her burger. So she's going to just bully the enchanted tools until someone tells her to stop. She'd gathered a bunch of the fixings off the bar and started working them into an uncooked burger patty so she could season the burger throughout. Lola's picky and self-important that way.

She does this any time she wants a burger because she can cook well enough for herself and really some things work better if you put your heart into it.

Dancing & Refreshments

Lola's aware she's basically not the target audience for a party like this. She's here because he came to her party, and that meant something to her because everything was so new and, well, lonely. So while she'll happily let others talk to her. She spends most of her time dancing and enjoying the summer breeze and music. Just letting her body move. Lola dances basically like a child on a sugar rush, enough grace that she could be a dancer... but zero self-control or shame. Just, enjoying herself.

Of course after enough dancing she finds a spot in the grass to sit down with an iced tea if you would rather ask why this teenager is here.

For Eddie

Lola had, pre-emptively, attempted to find the right gifts for everyone who came to her party. Which was foolish if you think about it, she didn't really have enough to go on. But she tried, and she felt pretty confident about what she found for Eddie. Six silk ties, very stylish, excellent quality... her color choices are quite... bold. But this is Lola, he's lucky the patterns are understated and not like the leopard print everything of the party.

"So... this is what it looks like when someone turns 30?" Okay see Lola's very sociable and extroverted but this is well out of her element.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco is running unofficial interference for this party, and while Taako is a little ways over focusing on cooking, he sees Lola (who he doesn't much know, apart from he used to live on the same floor as her) sneaking behind the grill, reaching into the ingredients and starting to get all up in the way of whatever spell Taako had done to enchant the tools to cook by themselves.

It pretty much looks like a Situation ready to pop off - whether from Lola accidentally giving herself food poisoning, or Taako getting very annoyed at her interference, or who knows what. So he walks over, folds his arms across his chest and asks: ]

Uhhh, what are you doing?

[threatenwithcuteness]

Grilling a burger?

*Lola hesitated that her statement turned into a question. She... thought it was obvious. Then again there were plenty of obvious things she didn't get. Like, she knew he lived on her floor but she hadn't gone out of her way to make herself known. Just... timing things.*

I don't really want to trust my food to floating magic things. It just doesn't feel right. Do you have that problem too?

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco opens his mouth and draws in a breath, ready to say something snippy about how it had been good enough for everyone else and she didn't need to barge in and interrupt the process. But the words don't ever quite leave his mouth. Sure, he's a little bit on edge from arranging all of this, but... he looks over at those tongs that are just moving through the air, dipping down and flipping over a burger on their own. It reminds him of Sleeping Beauty, which is a little nostalgic but maybe not the most reassuring thing, food-safety wise. ]

...Yeah, the world I came from didn't have magic, either. Still kinda getting used to it.

[ He looks at the hovering instruments for a moment more, and drops his arms to his sides, some of the tension going out of him. ]

Okay, okay fine, just try not to get in the way of the spell or whatever, Taako's gonna be pissy if he has to re-enchant them or whatever.

[threatenwithcuteness]

I have to get used to magic, and creepy undead stuff, and turning into a mean, rude, slutty version of myself. I just want to cook my own burger.

*Lola is a little ball of emotions, clearly. She tucks some hair behind her ear, the touch turning it from blue to gold. She might be a little distracted.*

I don't wanna break anything. I just... want to do something I'm good at. After two weeks missing it.

We haven't properly met, which is weird since we live on the same floor. I'm Lola.

<3 I'm so happy she's here.

[causational]

Eddie had definitely not been expecting a birthday party, and had been expecting presents even less than that. And honestly, the fact that Lola is even here is really heartwaring, let alone the fact she brought him something.

When she comes up and asks if this is what it looks like when someone turns 30, he laughs a bit, nodding, "Yep. I guess it is. Not so bad, right? I mean, besides the complete lack of people your age."

He smiles warmly at her, his head tilted a little, and then continues, "Thanks for coming, though. Seriously. How have you been doing?"

[threatenwithcuteness]

"No, this is nice. Not for me, I feel like I stick out," Lola your hair still has gold streaks in it, you always stick out, "But it's nice. Things don't change too much when people grow up."

At the question she worries her lip a bit, "Fine. Better now that I'm me again and not sad angsty me." Something about that answer seems like she's leaving key details out on her answer, like honest aspects. "I'm glad I could make it, you did come to my party which had to have been a lot weirder."

Cause you're so old. You know, thirty is still an unfathomable age to Lola. Even if she has been thinking more about growing up.

[causational]

Eddie's mouth curves into a warm smile as she says it's not nice for her and she feels like she sticks out.

"Aw, come on. It's just dancing and barbecuing and games and stuff. And no, they don't, not really. I think the last birthday I actually celebrated was when I was about 10, and I had hot dogs at that one too."

Giving her a little grin, he tilts his head.

"Lola, you're killing me. I already felt old hitting 30 and here you are..."

[threatenwithcuteness]

"It isn't the stuff, it's the people." How to explain sticking out like a sore thumb that isn't just being small, wild haired, and not knowing how to pay a mortgage. "I just... you know when you totally don't fit into a room. When I started doing video blogs about fashion at school I was the only, um, girly girl there. I didn't game or really share anything with the others in the group? It's like that."

And then she stuck her foot in it by bringing up the age thing. Which she shouldn't be surprised about, but she was. Cause she thought that was just a girl thing. Or a woman thing? It wasn't what she expected, "Sorry! I mean, it isn't the age thing. It's the... life thing. Everyone here has careers and has done stuff. That's what I mean- meant. What I meant."

open (mostly)

[franciscoramon]

REFRESHMENTS (OPEN)

[ Cisco not only loves Arnold Palmers, but it has been a pretty exhausting morning and early afternoon, wrangling all this, running interference between Yuri and the clone of himself that Taako had left behind to help set up. Which means that, at a certain point, he realizes he is thirsty and quickly knocks back a couple of big glasses of lemonade and iced tea all mixed together.

The item that happens to draw his attention, as that fascination potion is making its way into his system, is the shoes that Eddie wore to the party. Now, Cisco is already a little bit of a shoe girl even on a normal day, so this is really just amplifying a trend that was already there. And, with the help of that truth potion, he's going to be a little less practiced than usual at inhibiting himself from talking about shoes as much as he is inclined to.

He will also, just in general, be more truthful than usual about other matters in his life. It's one of Cisco's skills that he often manages to present an open and honest persona while actually telling most people very little about his life, so this is an opportunity to find out a bit more, if you think about it. ]

PRESENT! (FOR EDDIE)

[ Cisco waits for the party to be in full swing, running smoothly with no need for him to referee any disagreements or avert any crises. Once things seem to have calmed down enough, he ducks out, because the present he had gotten for Eddie is not the kind of thing one can wrap in some paper and leave on a table for hours on end.

His choice of this park for the party was strategic; in addition to being lovely and suited to the festivities, it is also just across the street from the quarantine's little animal clinic. Cisco is able to run over there and come back with a cute little carrier hanging from one shoulder. He wants to avoid the worst of the noise, so he waits to catch Eddie's eye and waves to him to come over, away from the tent and the other party guests.

Cisco's eyes are bright with expectation and happiness; there's no point in trying to hide the bag or the little, black-furred and mewing creature that's inside it. He just waits for Eddie to come over, and spot it, and realize what it must be. ]

DANCING (OPEN)

[ When the effects of the lemonade finally start to fade and Cisco finally, finally shuts up about sneakers, he makes his way onto the dance floor. His dancing is enthusiastic and somewhat unconventional - over-the-top, goofy, and silly at one moment, and surprisingly rhythmic and a little bit sexy at the next moment. He is having a good time letting his hair down (literally and figuratively) and will dance with just about anybody that's interested. ]

refreshments;

[adiuvio]

Pardon my reach.

[John pours himself a tall cup, trying not to lean too much into the his space. John doesn't mean to be rude, but he's thirsty, and the iced tea looks like it would hit the spot. The young man's been standing in front of the beverage table for a while, looking at the ground. John's not sure what could catch his interest below knee level, but he looks all the same.

His eyes scan the carpet, the legs of the table, the young man's colourful sneakers, with their matching laces. John's wearing a pair of distressed leather chukka boots. Comfortable and functional. Nothing fancy, but he's not dressed to impress.

The suit, once it's back from the cleaners, will be staying in his closet for a while. The last place he'd wear it is around Eddie. He's already pushing his luck just by being here, but if someone's has to be making repairs, it really ought to be him.]

I like your shoes.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco doesn't even look up when some guy walks over and reaches past him to get himself a glass of tea; he steps a little back and out of the way, of course, he's not completely rude. And yes, he notices the guy's shoes, first, before he even looks up to see the rest of him.

That compliment shakes him out of his distraction, and he looks up, grinning as he says: ]

Thanks, they're actually my favorite pair. I worry sometimes about them being over the top, you know, but yolo, am I right?

[ Aaand that would be the truth serum, because even if he can be a little awkward at times, Cisco usually doesn't just launch into an explanation about all his various feelings about his footwear. But that train of thought is quickly cut off, as the smile drops from his face and is replaced by a look of recognition and then utter, dumbfounded shock. ]

Dude.

[ There's really no mistaking it. Sure, he's older, and there's the beard, but... ]

It's you.

[adiuvio]

Sure.

[John doesn't know if YOLO is a question, or a statement, but he's not about to ask. He already feels old, and out of place, as it is. Like an adult at a kid's birthday party, sipping wine out of a dixie cup. The dumbfounded expression on the kid's face when he gets a good look at John doesn't help.

Then there's the recognition, of something, or someone, and John sips his tea politely before responding. Giving himself time to think. His week-long bender hadn't exactly gone unnoticed. In the short time John had been 'feeling himself', the same self he'd tried to bury beneath his basement floor, he'd made quite a name for himself as an almost cop-killer and all around shit-disturber.

John doesn't remember all that happened, or just how many toes he'd stepped on, but if he owes the kid an apology, he'll give him one. The last thing he wants to do is cause a scene.]

Sorry, have we met?

[franciscoramon]

No! No, we haven't.

[ Cisco is flustered. Genuinely star-struck and embarrassed by his own behavior but not quite sure how to rectify it. Normally, he manages to avoid the more awful stereotypes of the socially-awkward nerd who doesn't know how to interact with people. But evidently all it takes to throw a wrench in that is for him to come unexpectedly face to face with Keanu Reeves (or so he thinks). ]

But I love your movies. Like, soooo much. I think I've watched Bill and Ted maybe fifty times, which is actually pretty pathetic when I think about it, annnnnd you look like you've got no idea what I'm talking about.

[ Because there is no mistaking the fact that the look on the man's face is way more confusion than "oh no a fan". ]

present;

[causational]

[As far as Eddie's concerned, everything is perfect. The last thing he'd been expecting was a birthday party, and for even a few people to be here, celebrating with him, is amazing. The food is great, and so are the drinks and everything, and he's been bouncing around chatting to everyone who stops by, smiling bright and happy.

When Cisco catches his eye and waves him over, Eddie blinks, but goes right away, head tilted curiously as he looks at Cisco, and then at the animal carrier over his shoulder. It's impossible not to figure out what the carrier is for, and as he comes closer, he can see black fur and big bright eyes, and well, what's inside becomes immediately obvious. What Eddie doesn't immediately get is that it might be a present.]

Oh my god.

[His voice is pitched a little quiet, gentle, because he doesn't want to alarm the kitten, but it's obvious how pleased he is. Eyes bright, smile warm, he crouches down and lifts a hand so he can brush a finger against the mesh door of the carrier.]

I didn't know you were getting a kitten!

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco is beaming so hard his face actually hurts a little, but it's wonderful. He has to suppress a giggle when Eddie walks right up and asks about him getting a kitten, and Cisco realizes that he doesn't get it. The kitten starts to meow, its cries so tiny and high-pitched that Cisco really does giggle. Carefully, he hauls up the carrier to cradle it in his arms, bringing the mesh front up to almost eye-level so Eddie can see the little guy better. ]

It's not my birthday, Eddie.

[ The little cat is black all over - all its fur, its nose, everything except its round yellowish-green eyes, and a little pink mouth that opens when when it meows again, pressing its nose to the mesh to sniff at what was going on outside its little carrier. ]

He followed me back to the apartment about a week ago, and I thought, you know, it's perfect! Eddie's got a track record of taking in strays, and this little dude needs a home.

[ There's a touch of self-deprecation in the way he says it; clearly the other stray that Eddie has taken in is Cisco, himself. ]

[causational]

[It takes a few moments for Eddie to register what Cisco means when he says it's not his birthday, and then his face really lights up. Glancing up from the kitten to Cisco's face, then back down as Cisco hauls up the carrier so Eddie can see the kitten inside more clearly, he blinks a few times, and then laughs, abruptly. It's a soft, disbelieving, utterly pleased sound, and Eddie's eyes are bright and warm when he looks up to catch Cisco's eyes again.]

Really? You got me a kitten for my birthday? Oh my god, look at it, it's so cute. I love black kittens.

[Almost immediately, Eddie is unzipping the front of the carrier, gently reaching a hand in so the kitten can sniff it, cautiously, and then he picks it up. The tiny animal is small enough it can sit between his palms and cupped fingers comfortably, and Eddie gently brings it up to his face while it keeps mewing, soft and high-pitched.]

Hey there, little guy.

[It's soft, gentle, and Eddie leans in, gently brushes his nose against the kitten's, and feels a tiny sandpaper lick against the tip of his own in return. He also feels the dig of razor-sharp, nervous little claws into his hand. Chuckling softly, he pulls the kitten in against his chest so it feels more secure, and those claws dig into the front of his shirt as the kitten makes more little mews.]

I guess you're right. But, you know, I like to take care of anyone who needs to feel safe and loved. Yuri. You. This little, perfect creature. Do you know if it's a girl or a boy?

eddie thawne ✪ ota

[causational]

✪ surprise! (closed to taako)

[While it's not really anything out of the ordinary for Taako and Eddie to go out to eat together, it was definitely a pleasant surprise to get the invitation today. The weather is great, a few little clouds scudding across a sunny sky, a light breeze that takes the burn out of the new summer heat, and...well, Eddie definitely agrees with Taako's insistence that they need some sun.

Besides that, it's his birthday, and the idea of going for a chill date in the park for his birthday sounds nice, even if Taako (probably) doesn't know it's his birthday. Not that it matters much, because Eddie's spent his whole life competing with America for birthday attention, so he's pretty used to his birthday falling by the wayside. So honestly, that's nowhere near the first thing on his mind as he heads over toward the coffee shop they're meeting at first, to grab something cool and caffeinated for the walk. Just an idle, amused thought.

Lifting his hand when he sees Taako, he smiles broadly and waves.]

Hey, babe!

✪ dancing + refreshments (open)

[The whole birthday thing? Awesome surprise. Eddie's completely over the moon with it, honestly, because it's been so long since he had a dedicated birthday party, and even if he'd never admit it out loud, it's nice to have people show up to show him some affection on the day. He doesn't really feel lonely here, not with Yuri and Cisco in the house, and Taako with him, and all of the other people he's met. This is starting to feel like home, enough that he can go a couple of days without thinking of Central City too much. But of course it feels nice to get a bit of attention and have a party.

So Eddie is very into it, particularly the dancing. Eddie loves to dance, and he's actually pretty good at it. He'll also invite anyone, any age, any gender, to dance with him, with a big smile and an open hand. Between dances and mingling, he's going to be drinking both lemonade and ice tea. And because he was hanging out with Taako right after that glass of lemonade, his fascination is going to be with hair, so he might get a little inappropriately touchy with people's locks!]

✪ wildcard (open)

[Hit me up with any other starter for party events. Eddie's going to be everywhere throughout the night and will try to talk to everyone and thank them for coming.]

[spellslots]

[In all seriousness, Taako is inordinately pleased with himself for not spilling the beans on this; he's found excuses to sneak away to plan (and cook), and hasn't even mentioned the whole birthday thing at all, since he figures Eddie won't expect him to remember, and it'll be more satisfying this way. He keeps occasionally checking on the double he left behind, who's doing a great job of keeping Cisco updated on their progress while also being a bit bossy, but most of Taako's focus is on the task at hand.

There's even a picnic basket looped over his arm, to sell the whole picnic plan, and he manages to keep his smile relaxed rather than smug, as he makes his way over to Eddie.]

Hey, pumpkin, you doing good?

[Taako still isn't really the sort of person who hugs just to say hello, even with Eddie, but it does lean in to press a light kiss to Eddie's cheek in greeting.]

[causational]

[The truth is, Eddie's not expecting anything. Even if Taako and Cisco and Yuri hadn't kept the secret perfectly, he probably wouldn't have noticed, because he's just not used to even considering celebrating his birthday. Even when he was a kid, it just wasn't a priority, not with a dad who was a politician, not on July 4th.

So when Taako asks if he's doing good, he smiles brightly and hands over a drink - something sweet and caffeinated with whipped cream and sprinkles.]

Yeah, I'm good. It's a really nice day for a picnic. And you know I love your food.

[When Taako leans in to kiss his cheek, Eddie dips his head to the side, kisses Taako's cheek in return.]

Mm, this was a really good idea.

[spellslots]

[It's a testament to how much he likes Eddie that although Taako accepts the drink, he doesn't feel the immediate need to inhale it, and is instead focused on Eddie.]

You better love my food, I didn't put together this sweet picnic basket to go unappreciated.

[He's all talk, but he's also excited to get moving, so that Eddie can find out what's really in store. So he steps back, does a brief little juggle off the picnic basket, his umbra staff and his newly acquired drink until he has a free hand, since he needs to offer that to Eddie.]

Ready to get going?

taako ☂ ota

[spellslots]

kiss the cook

[Don't actually kiss the cook, it's his boyfriend's birthday party, that would be awkward, but Taako does spend a decent amount of his time at the grill they've got set up, or fussing around the food tables to make sure everything is perfect. He tends to be a bit pedantic, when it comes to cooking, especially if it's for something he's deemed important.

If anyone has special requests, he's happy to take them.]

tbh

[At some point, Taako takes a break from the sparkling wine he's been drinking to go for the non-alcoholic option, sipping an iced tea as he lounges on one of the pillows, dragged out from under the marquee so he can soak up some sunshine. At least he has sunglasses on, even if he has like zero concept of sun protection.

The effect of the tea will last a little while, whether he's dancing (which he's great at, duh) or making conversation or enjoying the fireworks, so if anyone wants to get a little truth out of him, now's the time.]

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco's heard a lot (like......... a lot) about Taako's cooking prowess, but he hasn't actually gotten the chance to watch him before this party. So while Taako is at the grill, doing his thing, Cisco comes over for a while just to observe, not even trying to disguise the fact. Hey, he'd had a cooking show, hadn't he? And chances are, knowing Taako, he doesn't mind the opportunity to show off a little.

He gets called away, though, by a text from a guest who got lost and couldn't find the right park, and then there was some minor disagreement (which, unbeknownst to Cisco, was probably exacerbated by the truth potion), and by the time he bumps into Taako again, he's long since finished cooking and is lounging in the late afternoon sun. Cisco drops down onto the grass next to him; he's having a great time, but he needs a little break. He has a glass of the iced tea, too, and sighs: ]

Herding people is exhausting.

[ Which is maybe a little blunter than he would normally be. ]

[spellslots]

[There's absolutely a little theatrics with the fire on the grill while he has an audience, because that's just how Taako rolls, but he doesn't think too much of it when Cisco gets called away.

Nor does he think too much of it when Cisco is a little bit blunt, later in the day when he drops down beside Taako.]

Hey, no one's died, that's gotta be some kinda accomplishment.

[Someone has definitely died during a Starblaster party when they got a bit cavalier about the whole resurrection thing.]

[franciscoramon]

No one's even maimed themselves. Small miracles.

[ After a second's consideration, Cisco lets himself fall back, stretching out on the grass and flinging an arm over his eyes to keep the sun off them. A lot less elegant than Taako's cool sunglasses, but it gets the job done. It's kind of nice, actually, to just absorb the heat for a little bit, even if the grass is prickly on his back and he shouldn't leave the guests unsupervised for too long. They're like children, honestly. Some of them ARE children as far as Cisco's concerned. ]

I just really want everything to be perfect so Eddie doesn't spend the day thinking about being dead.

[ W...hoops, that's a little too much truth there, Cisco. And he'd been doing so good up until now, passing off all the effort he put into arranging this party as nothing but light-hearted fun-mindedness. ]