Cisco Ramon (
franciscoramon) wrote in
riverviewlogs2017-06-30 09:54 am
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
[OPEN] Eddie's Bday Bash
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:
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!
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!
no subject
[Eddie's eyes go a little wide at that, and he's suddenly grinning a bit. Fireworks. For his birthday. When he was little, he'd always pretended that the fireworks were for him, and even if he'd grown out of that a long time ago, it's a bit thrilling to know that there are going to be fireworks later, and they will be for him. Only for him. There's no America here to celebrate.
Glancing down at the kitten, he tries to hide his face a bit because his cheeks are pink with embarrassment over how pleased the idea of fireworks made him. When Cisco suggests they hang out to watch Princess Bride with Shadow after the party, though, he lifts his head and smiles.]
Oh, wow, yeah, I really want to do that. Maybe just you and me and maybe Taako or Yuri. I just kind of want my closest people there when I'm all tired and partied out.
[A warm smile, and he glances down when Cisco mentions Shadow's getting worn out.]
I'll come with you.
[Together, they go drop Shadow off at the vet again for some babysitting, and head back to the party. It's a great night, and everything is perfect, a lot more than Eddie was expecting honestly, and at the end of the night, he and Cisco connect again, Taako tags along, and they all head home with Shadow. A half hour later and he and Cisco and Taako are settled on the couch and the movie is on, and Eddie is engrossed. About 10 minutes in, Taako drifts off with his head against Eddie's shoulder and Shadow on his lap.]
Wow. I did not know this movie was like this...
no subject
[ Cisco asks it quietly - there are a sleeping elf and a sleeping kitten to consider, after all. But he's glad that Eddie is still awake, and actually paying attention to the film, and enjoying it. There was no pain quite like trying to show someone a film that he loved, and for them to be hardly paying attention the whole time. But Eddie seems actually engrossed, and Cisco is having a good time re-experiencing it through his eyes.
Cisco is quite comfortable, tucked into his corner of the sofa, cross-legged and hugging one of the giant pillows that lives there. It feels... domestic. Relaxed. Like this is a place he really lives, not just Eddie's apartment that he is crashing in for a little while. ]
You know I could probably recite every line of this, right?
no subject
[A little smile, and he glances over as he feels a slight stirring next to him, as Shadow stands up on wobbly legs and wanders over to Eddie's lap, pressing his little head against Eddie's belly and then dropping into a curled up little ball, yawning with his mouth open wide and pink, showing his needle-sharp little teeth. Eddie smiles down at the kitten in open, raw adoration for a moment before glancing back up at the TV.
And it's true. This feels nice. The two of them sitting here hanging out, watching a movie, and with Taako draped against his side, warm and comfortable, a kitten on his lap. It feels like a home, and that's all Eddie really wants.]
Really? Go, go, do it.
no subject
[ He watches Shadow walking across Eddie, a little clumsy but completely comfortable with him and already happy to plop herself down in his lap like she owned it. From the way he's beaming down at her, waves of happiness practically radiating off of him, Eddie would probably be okay with that ownership. ]
For real?
[ Eddie's got to be kidding. No one actually enjoys it when the nerd in the room starts reciting the lines along with the film. But there Eddie is, looking bright-eyed and expectant. So, with a little shrug (no accounting for taste), Cisco starts to quote the movie, hitting the right marks for the lines and getting them word for word. He still does it in a low voice, fairly monotone at first, but with a little bit more flair in the delivery when Eddie doesn't immediately tell him to put a sock in it.
He stops after a minute or two of dialogue, grinning, feeling oddly pleased with the whole situation. ]
I watched this all the time when I was a kid.
no subject
[He says it with a little grin, his eyes flicking back down to the kitten curled up into a tiny ball on his lap. Gently, he rests his palm against Shadow's back, cupping around him, and the kitten leans against it, a warm purr starting up, strong enough that Eddie can feel it in his palm.
It's weird, how suddenly things feel a lot more okay, with the kitten in his lap and Cisco reciting lines along with the movie, his brows rising and falling, and Taako snoozing against his side. As Cisco's voice gets more animated, Eddie's smile gets bigger and bigger, and then he laughs softly when Cisco finishes.]
Man, that's amazing. I can see why you would, though. I really like it so far.
no subject
[ Cisco is careful not to talk over any important bits of the movie, so it's about a quarter of an hour later when he speaks next, during a short space when he knows there is no dialogue to miss. ]
You're gettin' a real workout as a pillow over there. [ He laughs softly, nodding between the now-sleeping kitten and Taako. ] If you need anything just lemme know and I'll go get it for you.
[ It's nice, though, seeing Eddie so happy at the end of his birthday. The party had been a success, and Cisco is still basking in that. Another few minutes pass before he proposes, spontaneously: ]
We could make this a thing you know? Like, a movie night. Have a few people over, watch some of the many many classic movies that you obviously missed out on. Or just the two of us, if nobody's into it. Gotta get you caught up so you get my jokes, one way or another.
[ He thinks about leaving off the thing that he wants to say next, but in the end he figures, might as well be honest. ]
I mean, I used to have movie nights with Dr. Wells, so doing that but with some non-psychos would be, like, a big step up.
no subject
[It seems pretty great already, as far as he's concerned, but when it comes to anything connected with science or pop culture, he's more than willing to trust Cisco's judgement. And Cisco doesn't steer him wrong - he's totally right, and the movie does just get better. By the time Cisco leans over and says that he's getting a real workout as a pillow, Eddie is grinning, and he huffs a soft, barely-verbal laugh, smiling over at Cisco.]
Yeah. But thankfully I like getting a workout as a pillow way more than I like getting a workout in the gym.
[He says it with a little wink, and then tilts his head back when Cisco says they could make this a thing. Humming out an affirmative noise in his throat, he's going over which people he'd like to invite, if they were going to do that. And then Cisco mentions that he used to have movie nights with Dr. Wells, and that it would be a step up to do it with sane people. Turning his head and looking over at Cisco, he keeps his smile in place.]
I would absolutely love to have movie nights with you. Yuri could be invited, and Taako, maybe Bryn? Taako's good friends with her. I'm sure you have a couple people who'd like to come, and I really, really need my pop culture vocab improved, that's for sure.
[A little pause, and then he offers Cisco another smile, a bit more gentle this time.]
Unless you'd rather do it just the two of us. I'm fine with that too.
no subject
[ He says it lightly, mimicking the cadence that might be heard in a TV ad for granola or something like that. He reaches over, very carefully, to pet between Shadow's ears, which seem absurdly big on his tiny kitten head. Cisco can hear the tiny thing's purring get just a bit louder, and his heart absolutely soars. Nice to be appreciated. ]
Could just make it a standing invite, whoever wants to show up for a certain movie can?
[ And it feels... good. Sitting together, making plans like this. Thinking about the future. Before he'd gotten truth-whammied, it hadn't actually occurred to Cisco, just how much of his fervor over getting the party just right was about his desire not to let Eddie spend the day thinking about the past, and everything he'd lost. He'd wanted Eddie thinking about the future, about the life he's building here. So this - coming up with ideas for fun things they can do together in the future? This feels right.
They watch the movie a little while longer without talking much. Cisco gets caught in a bit of a giggling spiral when the film reaches the ROUSes, because Eddie's reaction was just too priceless, and he was trying to laugh quietly and not wake anyone up, but that somehow made things that much funnier.
Once things calm down a little, Cisco wipes the tears of laughter from his eyes and says: ]
You know, you could pull off a pretty dope Westley costume if you ever wanted to.
no subject
[It's said without a hint of hesitation or irony - Eddie firmly believes that both cuddling and exercise are very important. It's just that one is a lot more enjoyable than the other.]
That definitely works. So, what's the next one you're gonna show me? I'm already excited...
[It does feel good, all of this. Settled on a couch, with a kitten purring in his lap and with friends who didn't come to him through Iris. Friends he made on his own. The prospect of doing things with friends that he didn't make through Iris. Like he has a future and there are people in it. As long as he doesn't think about how Cisco and Taako are probably going to go home sometime, it's good.
And as the movie gets funnier, Eddie is increasingly shoving his hand against his mouth trying to stifle his laughter, eyes bright and wet with happy tears, his cheeks flushed. When Cisco says he could pull off a Westley costume, he raises his eyebrows.]
Wait, wait. A costume? You mean like....comic con stuff? Is that right?
no subject
[ He's almost positive the answer is going to be no, and that's one of the reasons why that had come into his head - he doesn't want to pick something so mainstream that even Eddie might have seen it, like Back to the Future or Terminator. He'll just have to come up with some kind of checklist and Eddie can eliminate anything he knows from it, and they can go from there.
Eddie's confusion makes Cisco smile, shaking his head a little. ]
I mean, or a costume party, or Halloween if they got it here. Or, yeah, a nerd convention. Which I'm pretty you'd actually love if you ever went to one, okay, they get a bad rep but they can be super fun.
[ He has a feeling there isn't really any way to throw one of those in this place, though. Not when everyone comes from so many different places and there's no real consensus on media and the like.
They lapse into silence again as the movie progresses, grows a bit more serious. Cisco can tell that Eddie is engrossed, even mutters some promises that he doesn't need to worry, when it seems like Westley is dead. He doesn't speak up again until nearly the end, when it reaches the big confrontation scene and the classic Inigo Montoya line. ]
It's fun to quote and all but like, this bit kinda fucks me up, man. Y'know?
no subject
[Eddie gives Cisco a teasingly sheepish smile, because he knows the answer to that. But, oddly, instead of feeling judged, he feels pretty comfortable. After all, Cisco probably suggested that one because he has a good idea that Eddie hadn't seen it, and he's not looking at him like he's stupid for not having seen it - more like he wants to share something he really likes. Even when he shakes his head and smiles, it looks fond. Like he finds Eddie endearing, and he finds his cheeks flushing, he laughs a bit.]
Hey, I'm not judging. I think they sound like fun, or, I mean, they would after I actually knew what any of the stuff there was.
[For a moment, he's quiet, then he smiles a bit.]
I bet they have them here. If you look on the internet, there's all sorts of comics and tv shows and stuff from the planet. We should check and see. I'd wear a Westley costume, for you.
[And after a while, they're quiet, before things start turning a little dark - Cisco's reassurances are welcome, and he keeps watching engrossed with eyes wide, shifting only when Shadow wakes up and climbs his shirt. Slouching so Shadow can curl up against his breastbone, Eddie lifts a hand almost idly to cup the kitten protectively, eyes still on the screen, and as it builds to that moment where Inigo Montoya finally kills the man who killed his father, says that line, Eddie realizes his eyes are a little wet.
Biting his lip, he nods, glancing over at Cisco.]
That's...that's really relatable...too much, you know?
no subject
[ He's surprised that Eddie thinks they might have cons here, but Eddie has been here longer than Cisco. Maybe it would be possible, after all. Nothing as big as comic con, sure, but maybe they could find something, or if not, arrange one themselves. It would be a bit of work, sure, but it's not like Cisco is lacking in free time, here.
(And why did Eddie have to phrase it like that, that he'd wear a Westley costume for Cisco? He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that Eddie is just being friendly, saying a costume's not the sort of thing he'd ever do without a friend goading him into it. But after what he'd realized and blurted back at the party about having a bit of a crush on Eddie, now Cisco can't unthink it, and can't pretend that the little flutter of nervous happiness in his stomach is anything else. Dammit.) ]
Yeah.
[ He may not have lost his father, but Cisco has anger like that, over things that were taken from him. Not really people, and not possessions, but less tangible things. He wants back the person that he was a year ago, but it's every bit as impossible as Inigo getting his dad back from the dead. Cisco shifts on the couch, pulling his knees closer to his chest so he can wrap his arms around his legs. ]
Way too many kids' movies, they're on a whole sanctimonious "revenge isn't the answer, just forgive people or you're as bad as they are" but The Princess Bride don't play like that.
no subject
Sure. I mean, it sounds pretty badass. Blade runner, like a gun runner, but with knives...
[After a moment, he settles a bit. It isn't that he doesn't know anything about the culture surrounding comics and tv shows and other nerdy things, it's just that he only knows what he's picked up off the news and by osmosis. He knows of them, just like Blade Runner, and it seems to him that anywhere there's pop culture, someone's going to be a megafan, organizing conventions and dressing up in costumes. That seems pretty universal, even if it's not Eddie's particular realm of interest.
And if Eddie meant anything by saying he'll dress up as Westley for Cisco instead of with him or something else, it was subconscious. So while Cisco is overanalyzing, Eddie is sitting quietly in a haze of denial about any of that, watching the movie again. When Cisco comments on the "revenge isn't the answer, forgive forgive" thing, Eddie glances over at him, brows raised.]
I mean, I don't necessarily believe in violent revenge like that, not in the real world. But I don't think wanting to makes a person bad, I think it's natural to want to lash out at someone who's hurt you.
no subject
Later, he can tell that he loses Eddie a little bit, with his revenge talk, and he feels his face heating slightly. In hindsight, that had come off sounding pretty bloodthirsty, hadn't it. He is hasty to amend, stumbling over the words a bit in his eagerness to get them out:]
Oh, no no- I wasn't saying- I'm not talking about in the real world. I just meant, a lot of movies act like forgiveness is the only option and even kids sometimes just wanna watch some good old-fashioned badass payback. It's just human nature.
[ After that, there's not much more of the movie left, and Cisco actually feels a little twinge of disappointment as it nears its conclusion. The ending is as happy and cute as ever, and Eddie clearly loves it, but he doesn't want this to be over. It's been such a long day, but he just wants to stay here for a little longer, curled on the couch, feeling like he has a place he really belongs and people who actually like him around him (even if one is a cat and one is asleep). But of course, the movie ends, and Cisco just smiles as he gets up to put away the DVD and clean up. ]
Blade Runner soon, I mean it.