[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

[aeturnus]

[ Huh, not a face Cain expects to see here but it's familiar and friendly all the same so he'll take that. No matter how vaguely uncomfortable Loki himself looks. Maybe he can help with that? ]

You know anyone here, or do we add party-crashing to the list of tricks?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki grimaces. ]

Technically, I know everyone here. There are variations from a different universe and a few I know personally.

[aeturnus]

[ That has Cain turning to regard the whole party briefly before he looks back to Loki. ]

Ouch. That's even more awkward than it sounds, isn't it?

[dothelokimotion]

It is unbelievably awkward for a variety of reasons.

[aeturnus]

So... why are you here?

[dothelokimotion]

[ A lengthy pause as Loki turns the cool beer bottle in his hands. ]

Someone said my presence would be appreciated.

[aeturnus]

[ Cain considers that, then raises a brow and looks back out into the park. ]

Is that someone here already?

[dothelokimotion]

The man of honour? I have no doubt he'll show up fashionably late.

[aeturnus]

[ His head bobs in realization. Aha. ]

So you showed up early? Or is he... actually late? To his own party.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki eyes Cain with that bone deep suspicion that he parcels to everyone. ]

I came early. If he is here, then I will . . . [ Actually, Loki has no idea what he'll do. With effort, he gets his thoughts in order. ] . . . I will do what is appropriate and take my leave.

[aeturnus]

[ Cain just gives him a level look back. Nothing to be suspicious of here, he's just making conversation the nosy way he knows how to. ]

Have you been to a birthday party before...?

[dothelokimotion]

We have celebrations for certain cornerstones of age. Celebrating it annually would serve no purpose, after all. Feasts, grand occasions for sure.

[ Theirs had the slight political bent. Thor's age was important for the throne. Loki's birthday wasn't even real. Most likely it was the day Odin found him in Jotunheim. Or some random date. He wouldn't put it past the All-Father. ]

[aeturnus]

Right. Generally for humans it's just a way to say you appreciate they're around for another year, we celebrate your life, et cetera, et cetera. Only with way less sentiment and far more routine because we suck at emotions.

[dothelokimotion]

[ What. ]

That is not what I heard of humanity.

[aeturnus]

[ He laughs, runs a hand through his hair. ]

Well, for sure, we're apparently way more open than your people... but there's still "okay" emotions and ones people more or less ignore. It's getting better than it was for a while there.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Ah. Loki is more familiar with that hypocrisy. ]

Even at celebrations?

[aeturnus]

People figure showing up is generally enough and that whoever's the focus will get the idea without anyone having to actually say it. Then again, at smaller celebrations with closer friends it can be a lot more honest — that's a good reason some people hate having parties thrown for them.

[dothelokimotion]

[ That would explain a lot about this particular gathering. ]

Who would have thought honesty was such a scarce commodity here?

[aeturnus]

Honesty's generally kept behind closed doors.

[ Although Cain doesn't have a beer, he does have a soda on him and punctuates the statement by pausing to just take a drink and watch everything going on. ]

Sometimes actions speak louder, too. Just being here, for one.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki turns away. ]

It's hardly a grand gesture.

[aeturnus]

Taking some of your limited time alive to dedicate it to your friend? Why not?

[ His head dips to the side. ]

If not our own time, then theirs. Like a gift.

[dothelokimotion]

My time is not much of a gift.

[aeturnus]

Not to you, but... he invited you, right?

[dothelokimotion]

Stark invited me. He made a few assumptions.

[ Not the wrong ones though. ]

[aeturnus]

[ Did Tony just literally invite everyone ever? On the other hand, what Loki said before clicks into a new spot with that information. ]

About... Steve appreciating your presence.