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

[anotheroldsoldier]

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.

Comments

[dothelokimotion]

Some differences should be not be indulged.

[ Loki being a Frost Giant is a clear indicator of that. He swallows quietly. ]

I do not think they'll offer me the same chance you did. The one we found together.

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve doesn't catch the implications behind Loki's statement. Or, if he does, he chooses to ignore it. What Loki is or isn't doesn't matter here. Hero, villain, or otherwise, Steve has chosen not to draw that line anymore. He can't, in good conscience. ]

You are what you are. We'll accept you as that. I'm not saying it'll be easy, but I think they'll give you a chance. You don't have to believe me yet. Just wait for now. And eat some cake.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki looks at Steve, holding his gaze before taking a bite out of the cake thoughtfully. ]

Are birthdays very important on Earth?

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve doesn't do a good job of hiding the fact he's pleased that Loki ate something. It might have only been to humor him, but it still counts. It's a step forward. ]

They're celebrating a person, so I guess it depends. They're important to the people close to someone because it's a chance to let them know how much they appreciate them. The time they've had together. Some people don't think too much of them, but when you live on the move for long enough, you grow to appreciate the moments that you get.

[ Which, of course, leads Steve to a counter question. ]

I guess they don't do birthdays on Asgard?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His lips quirk briefly. ]

Celebrating one's day of birth every year would get tedious far too quickly for an Asgardian. We have a few when we are younger and one coming of age ceremony. They are meant to signify our departure from childhood into a full fledge member of Asgard.

[livingsymbol]

I guess that's true. Still, it's nice to remember your birthday every once in a while. Not just to mark growing up, but to celebrate being alive; that you have a life you can share with others.

[ He takes a moment to really think about that and seems to examine Loki as he turns it all over in his head. ]

When's your birthday?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki falls silent at that. ]

I don't know. I was given a date, of course. To celebrate the hallmarks of my years. But it was not real. So I do not know when I was born.

[ It's a sobering thought, though not a particularly depressing one. It is simply another lie Loki has come to accept. Many think it is simple. A simple lie that broke him. But nothing about that lie had been simple. It pervaded his entire consciousness, his whole history. Everything was subject to it. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve frowns. That does sit well with him. Even if birthdays don't mean much to Asgardians like Loki says, it had to hurt not to know. In a way, it makes a difference, because it marks the beginning. The beginning of his life or the beginning of doubt. ]

We'll celebrate. You and me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks, nonplussed. ]

There really is not much to celebrate, Steve. I barely remember how old I am.

[livingsymbol]

That doesn't matter. I want to celebrate with you.

[ He's starting to straighten his stance, looking a bit more serious as he says that. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki huffs, bemused. ]

And how do you propose we do that?

[livingsymbol]

We'll go out. After this, if you want.

Everyone deserves a birthday. You and me can celebrate yours.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki considers this with a harmless shrug. ]

Very well. I am curious to see what it might entail.

[livingsymbol]

It's a deal, then.

[ It may not be the most exciting party Loki has ever had, but Steve is set on at least showing him the appreciation he's stopped believing in. Step one in his plan of helping Loki find his own path is giving him an acknowledgment he's been lacking.

Start small, he thinks. It'll all fall into place. ]

In the meantime, you can tell me what you think of the cake.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Er. Loki glances at it. Silver-tongue he may be, but waxing poetically about food has never been his forte. He always left that to Volstagg. ]

It is sweet? And soft?

[livingsymbol]

That's it?

[ Steve makes a very lame attempt at looking offended. ]

When I was younger, that cake would be as good as gold if you could get any.

[dothelokimotion]

I do like sweet things.

[ Grapes, little cakes. The food in Asgard was always very rich, even if there wasn't a large variety. ]

Asgard's tables were always overflowing with food. Drink. Sweetness.

[livingsymbol]

[ The smile Loki earns is soft and a little sad. ]

Sounds nice. I guess this wouldn't be so exciting when you're used to all that.

[dothelokimotion]

Not everything need to be exciting.

[ He takes another bite. ]

I think, in a way, I've had my fill of excitement. I could learn to settle.

[livingsymbol]

When you say it like that, you make it sound like it's depressing.

If you want something better, we can find you something. I mean, the cake was mostly for me and I don't need much.

[ However, he is pleased to see Loki take another bite. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I did not mean it as such.

[ Perhaps he was more tense than he realized, being in a place like this. Surrounded by people who hated him. While Loki does not mind, it still chips away at him. ]

We can. But I believe it is your birthday, not mine.

[livingsymbol]

Well, I don't know about you, but from what I've seen, settling isn't that easy. And there's no point if it just makes you unhappy.

We can celebrate together. No reason why we can't.

[ If anyone needs a birthday apparently Loki does. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki doesn't understand the need. Or the reasoning. But he understands the gesture, so he nods slowly, as he continues to take small pieces of cake. ]

No. I suppose there is no reason at all.

[ Even if being Loki is usually reason enough. ]

[livingsymbol]

Then it's settled. We'll go try some things later.

[ Loki just got bullied into having fun with Steve. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ This is really weird, even for him. ]

Later. Though should you not be enjoying your birth celebration?