Am I unavoidably detained, or extremely fashionably late?

[paraselenic]

WHO: Hugo Vlad, Lycaon, Mollymauk Tealeaf, Cordelia "Lia" Brooks
WHERE: Blue Fish Park
WHEN: August 20th, Evening
WHAT: Lycaon, Molly, and Lia have planned a surprise party for Hugo's birthday.
WARNINGS: None, will update as needed!


[The day of fruition had come for Lycaon--something he'd been planning since the start of August. It's strange to think that something as simple as a get together of four people would require so much planning time, but when that person was the one and only Mockingbird, you had to take every step you could.

There were hiccups, as with all plans, but it had worked out in the end.

He asked Lia to go to Hugo's art gallery to go pick him up while he and Molly started to get everything set. He'd already picked up the food orders from Le Port and Little Italy, as well as his own personal little cake he asked Lia to hold onto for the day. Lycaon would've done the cooking himself, but he had to keep nosy eyes off him. Catering was best.

Two outdoor seating tables were slid together to put the food on, with the chairs more forgotten if anything. Plates were set out so that they could stand and mingle.

The sun was just starting to creep down under the horizon, the orange glow hitting the water of Blue Fish Lake and the cicadas buzzing in the distance. If he had to be honest, Lycaon thought it looked rather perfect, as small and disjointed as it was. Placing the last entree onto the table, he stands back and dusts his hands.

He'd once again dressed down for the occasion, in his button up with sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his tail swished back and forth. Once Hugo arrived, then it could truly start.]

Comments

[mauks]

This is cute, Snowdrop.

[ the smile that finds Molly's face is unbearably fond as he settles beside Lycaon, leaning an slightly raised arm on the other man's shoulder. small, simple, not too much that it'll overwhelm their dear friend into turn around and walking away. he tilts his head, the chains attached to his horns jingling as he moves, tail swishing in time with the wolfman's. ]

You've done good.

[ for his part Mollymauk has also dressed down for the occasion, sporting a loose red shirt with a plunging neckline, and tight form hugging black pants. a considerably muted outfit for Mollymauk Tealeaf, but alluring all the same. ]

[paraselenic]

[His tail only swishes more at that compliment, and the nickname--you finally landed a winner, Molly.]

I have my moments.

[Truth be told, he'd never done anything like this. Zulius often handled any party planning when it came to his coworkers, and he certainly didn't do anything like this when Hugo and he were younger...]

And you dressed down for the occasion. I'm impressed. [He's teasing, truly.]

[mauks]

You've had more than a few moments.

[ he extends the arm he has resting on Lycaon's shoulder to scratch the wolfman behind the ear, it's important that you praise your dogs and give them scritches when they do good. Lycaon deserves all of the praise and scritches, especially considering how he still managed all this despite Molly spilling the beans to the birthday boy. ]

Well, didn't want to draw too much attention, you know? It's his day as much as he'd rather not be celebrating it.

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon's head tilts towards that touch instinctively. He is but one wolfman, he can't resist the siren call of the ear scritchies... The ear in question swivels towards Molly, even, to get right inside the base of the ear. (11)]

Mm.

Children would much rather not take cough medicine, either, but it does help them.

[He knew this would be a good experience for Hugo, whether he was willing to let himself enjoy it or not.]

I do feel bad about not including Miss Belle, and everyone else we knew from our past life. But I feel like it being just us is for the best.

[mauks]

[ Molly won't admit out loud how much he's come to adore the way Lycaon leans into the touch, accepting Molly's easy affection as if they had known each other for longer than a single month. it makes his chest fill with warmth, makes him so terribly glad that Lycaon showed up in the city. ]

Don't compare Hugo not wanting to celebrate his birthday to children not taking cough medicine. [ scritches continue even as Molly chides his friend, partly dulled claws getting right inside the base of the ear. ] I'm positive his reasons for being against it are good and valid. But being out here with us is better than being miserable in the dark with a bottle of cheap wine.

[ he can't judge, after all, considering his own distaste for his birthday. ]

They'll understand. Baby steps are important, overload him with too much and he'd spook. Hell, it's a miracle I managed to get him to agree to come and not run away. [ a beat. ] After spoiling the surprise, which I am terribly sorry about, by the way.

[myriadeclipse]

{For Lia}
[ Yes, Hugo knew eventually he'd be whisked away for the birthday get together. Also yes, he had accepted that it was going to happen. The out he was offered was turned down, knowing it was going to saddle him with unnecessary memories about what he detested about it. His mind was a grab bag of various traumas playing on loop in the theater of his mind.

The only saving grace was his skills made him virtually impossible to find even when he was standing in the middle of a room. The shadows almost seem to bend around him shrouding him from the light. Yet, once you were actively intending to see him, He was just standing there in one of the front exhibit rooms, staring at a far wall. His high color shirt contrasted against the button up he selected to wear, dressed as if it were any other day with his hair messily pinned up and falling out in golden rays not unlike the sun.

And yet, when Lia came to the Art gallery, Hugo was already coming back to himself. His senses were more in tuned to her presence that his mind had to slowly catch up and figure out why exactly he was suddenly so alert to begin with. ]


{Party}
[ He was apprehensive. After everything else today he could still feel the flopping of his stomach. Yet, he was present. Hugo was there and participating in Lycaons need for... did he ever ask Lycaon WHY this was necessary? He got to caught up in allowing it and psyching himself up for it that he didn't bother with wondering what the purpose was. Now that he was present, he would rather not...

The spread was impressive, as expected of Lycaon. That wolf never does anything in half measures. Hugo would even expect that he's already figured out what to do with anything that's left over, too. One by one Hugo looked over everything on the table, tilting his head one way and then the other, noting them all in his head and then looking away.

Thinking of difference pasta shapes and just how many things in front of him were 'flour but different' was far more entertaining than memories he had a time quashing earlier. ]

I have been thoroughly surprised.

[ It wasn't a lie. He was in fact surprised that this really went all the way to completion. ]

[blossominghopes]

[Yes, unfortunately for Hugo, Lia is coming to the art gallery with intent.

Lia, for her part, is dressed as if this was any other day as well as she flits through the gallery to find Hugo--not that it takes particularly long.]

Hugo?

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo blinks once, and then again, realizing it was truly Lia who was coming toward him. Turning toward her, he rests one hand to his side and the other in his pocket. ]

Lia. To what do I owe the visit? Come to look at all of this? [ He flourishes the arm at his side, up in a show of the various art pieces on show. ]

[blossominghopes]

Not this time. I came to see you, actually!

[Of course, Hugo almost certainly knows why Lia's here. Not that Lia herself is aware of that.]

Got something for you, by the way~

[She slides her backpack off to pull out a drawstring bag (one she clearly made herself) that she holds out with a grin.]

Here!

[myriadeclipse]

[ The blond man stares at her for a moment. Something was off. Something was definitely off. He does reach out for the bag, putting his hands under it and drawing it closer. ]

A gift? You didn't mention you got me anything.

[ His fingers toy with the string, but doesn't pull on it yet. ]

[paraselenic]

As am I.

[Lycaon's holding his plate, looking almost comically out of place holding a paper plate, empty as it was for the moment. His nail runs along the edge of it, peeling off a second one from the bottom and holding it out to him.]

I was prepared to run after you through the park at least once. [The night is still young, though.]

Thank you for coming.

[myriadeclipse]

The night is still young. You may get to stretch those legs of yours yet.

[ His head turned, looking at the paper plate. With an unnecessarily heavy sigh, he reaches out and takes it in his own hands. Fine. He'll eat. ]

Even if I tried to run, I'm sure you had some sort of back up plan, and a back up for that back up.

[paraselenic]

I did, actually. [He's quite proud of it, too.]

I suppose the better way to phrase it is 'thank you for your cooperation.' [He lets out a ghost of a chuckle as he starts putting food on his plate. He seems indecisive about two of the pastas (okay, maybe the vampire is onto something about them all being relatively the same but different shapes), as he taps the fashion-oriented leather collar he's put around his neck for the occasion.]

Surely it's not nearly as bad as your mind is screaming at you.

[myriadeclipse]

Would you like a chronological or alphabetical list of all the things my mind is saying is wrong?

[ It was a joke. No one has time to roll through a list like that. Least of all him. For the time being, he looks mostly calm, just ever conflicted. Now they both were standing here, contemplating the insanity of pasta with a little too much thought. ]

I have known Italians and I know their answer in this situation is that the difference is how the pasta holds the sauce... but aren't they all going to do that in the end?

[mauks]

[ it's part way through that Molly finds him, drinks in hand, dressed down in a pair of tight pants and loose red shirt. the fact that everything went smoothly (Lia discovering the surprise wasn't a surprise anymore aside) in itself is something of a miracle. they got him here, enjoying some food with company that hopefully doesn't make the vampire want to make a break for it. ]

Hey you. [ settling beside Hugo, he holds out one of the drinks for him to take. ] How are you doing?

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo doesn't look like he's going to make a break for it. Instead, he just looks depressed. It was probably the most openly downtrodden he has ever allowed himself to look when other people can see him. If they wanted to torture him, then they get to see the fruits of their labor.

His head turns when Molly settles down next to him. Seeing his shirt came a beat later, his eyes shifting downward to see the rest and then back up. ]

Hey yourself. [ Hugo reaches out to take the drink, looking it over instead. ] I am still here.

[mauks]

[ he considers, very briefly, making a comment about being undressed by the vampire's eyes and how he should keep that for later but he puts it aside. time and a place, and it is currently neither the time nor really the place. so instead he gets a softer look from Mollymauk, a mixture of concern and relief. ]

And I'm glad you are. [ his tail flicks towards Hugo as though to grab hold of him, only to coil around air and fall. ] Would've sucked without you.

[myriadeclipse]

I'm sure you would have found a way to make the most of it.

[ The look and the way molly's tail fell was caught by him, his attention following the tail downward and then looking back up to Molly's face in a question that never comes.]

I hope this makes you happy, because you're next.

[blossominghopes]

[So as it turns out, being the only one not in on something sucks.

And that is why Lia, who was so excited about this little surprise get together, is now spending the first few minutes after her arrival with Hugo just... sulking, pushing food around on her plate in silence.

At least she looks cute.

But yeah. Sorry, guys. She's not mad, she's just Disappointed.]

[paraselenic]

[Believe him, Lia, this was far from his ideal situation. All their planning had been before he'd looped Molly in on it, and the reveal had happened so soon after...

He at least tried to retain the magic of a surprise for her.

It doesn't stop her feelings from being stepped on like an old receipt, so his ears are folded down and his tail hangs a little more between his legs as he stands by her.]

I cannot apologize enough, Miss Lia.

[blossominghopes]

[Unfortunately there's little magic about a surprise when you're the only one left not knowing it's no longer a surprise.

She sighs a little and shakes her head.]

I'll be fine. I just kind of had to get the pouting out of my system. [Because that's what it is, really, childish pouting and she knows it. This really isn't that important in the grand scheme of things, anyway.] Just... I'd prefer to know these kinds of things in advance before I end up feeling like I've made a fool of myself, you know?

[She does at least try to give Lycaon a small smile. Not his fault someone went and spilled the beans immediately, after all--]

[paraselenic]

[At the very least, there's 3 grown ass men who would like nothing more than to act like it was for her sake.

His tail does start to swish a little.]

I've heard binge eating does help soothe the annoyance. [He's trying to cheer her up at least a little, but nods at her honesty of the situation.] You are no fool, Miss Lia. Your excitement over the party was infectious. But next time, I will be fully upfront about you. I can't imagine this is the last surprise that'll be spoiled for Hugo.

[As consolation, he'll just bend his head down a little to accommodate for her height. You know, if she wants to rub his ears to feel better. It's worked wonders before.]

[mauks]

Hey there, Sunflower. Got something for you.

[ surprise, you've been nicknamed! maybe this isn't the best time to be discovering that fact considering you just realized all your plans had been ruined by one (1) lavender tiefling who emotionally had about three hit points at the time─ but hey, now you know. he comes up behind her slowly, gently reaching down to brush aside some of hair to tuck a daisy into it. ]

It might not mean much, but I'm sorry for ruining the surprise. [ now that she knows he may as well own up to his mistake instead of brushing it under the rug. ] I've got no excuse.

[ because they're all selfish, petty, and pathetic. ]

[blossominghopes]

[The nickname gets a surprised blink from her, and she lets out a soft "oh!" as he tucks the daisy into her hair.

... Ultimately, she can't really bring herself to be huffy with him, especially with the apology. She sighs softly, offering him a small smile.]

If it helps, I'm not really mad the surprise got ruined or anything. Being the only one left in the dark about that is what got to me more, I think.

[mauks]

[ Molly likes her smile, it always summons up brighter memories of laughter and companionship and love, the fact that he chased it from her face with his actions for even a second feels like a knife to the gut. ]

Those two didn't want to hurt your feelings, I'd wager. It's how I felt when I finally got to meet you. A good intention that has unfortunately bitten us all in the ass.

[ he turns to lean back against the table, coiling his tail around his own ankle to keep it from knocking anything down. ]