[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]

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?

[livingsymbol]

[ There's a pause, but then Steve shrugs. ]

I am. I'm enjoying being with people. It's fun for me to know they're enjoying it. And I get to see my friends.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He tilts his head at Steve. ]

Do you not see them regularly?

[livingsymbol]

Mm. We all work on different things. It's not that I don't see them, but these kinds of things aren't as common.

[dothelokimotion]

I always assumed you all keep close quarters.

[ Well. To some degree. Honestly, Loki often sees the Avengers as a time bomb. Even if he didn't quite trigger an explosion, he knew how to. And Loki is sure anyone else can see it. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve chuckles. ]

There are too many of us to all be in close quarters. Everyone has their own business and lives to look to. We work together; we're good friends in a lot of cases, but it's not the army. We keep in contact. Functions are optional.

We used to spend more time together.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki can't fathom it. The only constant in his life in terms of relationships, after all, was Thor. He had passing acquaintances, but none who cared or bothered. ]

How many are there?

[livingsymbol]

Now? About twenty, but the list of reserves and unofficially active members would double that.

[ It's nice if they can get a good chunk of those members together for something other than work, but a lot of them don't even associate that much. But that's a job for you. Still, Steve loves them. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Hmm. That's a large number. Loki makes a mental note of that. ]

I am only aware of six. Though I hear there are more now on Midgard.

[livingsymbol]

Six? Heh. The team hasn't been that condensed in years.

[ He doesn't mind sharing this with Loki. After all, it's a bit psychological as well. ]

We've spread out. Handled bigger threats since those days.

[dothelokimotion]

No doubt.

[ It seems that universe is far more matured than Loki's own. ]

Is that why you enjoy these . . . meetups?

[livingsymbol]

Yeah. It's a good way to see people.

[ And for a man that is used to people being sent off in many different directions, it's a nice chance to reconnect. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shakes his head. ]

I suppose mortals seek connections far more than we do.

[livingsymbol]

Do we? Maybe that's a good thing.

You might live longer, but sharing that life with others is part of what makes it worthwhile.

[ At least in his mind. Being isolated is a sort of pain he doesn't want. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ There's a hint of amusement in Loki's voice. ]

Are you saying my life is not worthwhile?

[livingsymbol]

I'm saying that you should enjoy what you have while it's here. Some things might manage to slip by.

All lives are worth it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ His gaze drifts away. ]

It's dangerous for us to live so . . . transient. There are numerous stories of Gods who become inured with mortal life. They lose themselves.

[livingsymbol]

Then find something else that will give you your purpose. You don't have to be stuck with the same thing forever. We change. Gods must adapt to some things after all the time that they live.

Maybe you just need to try looking at it a different way.

[dothelokimotion]

Perhaps.

[ But he can't quite picture it. These possibilities everyone dreams. He only wanted . . . Loki cuts himself off. It's best not to dwell. ]