A Celebration for Nell

[mylandmyrules]

Nell had tried something a little different for dinner tonight. She'd made a large, and hopefully tasty, vegetable stir fry and had stir-fried some beef in a different pan so those wanting meat could have some. She also had homemade sourdough bread, salad, and a vegetable broth based soup to start the meal.

The apartment was spic and span, the cats were happily curled up on their cat trees, for however long that would last, and she thought she was prepared as she could be for her first ever birthday celebration. Now to wait somewhat anxiously for her guests.



[For those who know who they are.]

Comments

[unusual_sith]

Lana made sure to show up on time, since she was bringing the cake. It was a vegan chocolate cake she'd been assured would be delicious, with raspberry filling between the layers. She had regular and vegan vanilla ice creams to go with it. On top of the frosting, it said "Happy Birthday, Nell!" amidst creeping vines that also held two and two-eighths candles. (Lana had absolutely measured them.) Floating along behind her was a potted tree, black with glowing red spikes on top.

She put the cake on the table and the ice cream in the freezer, and looked around for somewhere to leave the plant.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts didn’t need to be a detective to figure out the unfamiliar face in the room was. So at some point early on in the gathering he made his way over, twirling a blossom he’d plucked from… somewhere sorry Nell between his fingers.

“Llewellyn Watts,” he introduced himself. “And you… would be Miss Beniko.”

[unusual_sith]

"I would, yes." Lana smiled back. "And I imagine you're Detective Watts." She didn't need to be a former Minister of Intelligence to figure that out, either. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She gave him a slight bow.

[mylandmyrules]

"Oh my goodness," Nell said, "Lana, that's beautiful! You can set it right over there on that table. And welcome, safety and hospitality to you while you're here."

[unusual_sith]

"May the Force grant you a good year," Lana said, smiling as she set the tree down. "This one's from Umbara; it grows without sun, and it's potted in its own soil for now so you can figure out what it needs."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts was here of course, dressed in the plaid suit with a book-shaped parcel carefully wrapped in green tissue paper tucked under one arm.

[mylandmyrules]

"Detective, welcome," Nell said cheerfully. "Come in, please, safety and hospitality to you while you're here. Thank you for coming!"

[pocketpretzels]

“Of course,” Watts said with a small smile. “Wouldn’t have missed it.”

His hat, naturally, had ended up dangling off the plant Lana had brought, because where else would one put a hat?

He held up the parcel he’d brought. “Where would you like this?” he asked.

[hasaknightjob]

Marc didn't know how long he would stay but he could at least put in an appearance. He put Nell's present, a somewhat bulky wrapped box, on an empty spot on a table for when Nell wanted to deal with it.

[unusual_sith]

"Marc." Lana nodded at him. "I wasn't sure if you, Steven, or both would be making an appearance."

[hasaknightjob]

"Parties aren't really my thing," Marc said, by way of agreement. "Steven might come in."

[mylandmyrules]

"Marc," Nell said warmly. "I'm so happy you came, even if it's just for a little while, thank you. Safety and hospitality while you're here."

[hasaknightjob]

"No problem," Marc said. He indicated the wrapped present he left on the table. There was a tag on it which read "To Nell, from Steven and Marc" where it was obvious that Marc's name was in different handwriting from the rest. "That's yours. There's a receipt if you want to get something else."

[hasaknightjob]

Birthdays weren't easy for Marc. Steven was proud of him for managing to show up for Nell at all, really. So it wasn't surprising when Marc needed to leave early and go for a walk to clear his head. (Which also had Steven relieved it was only a walk, but he was keeping that one to himself for now.)

Once Marc was able to let go Steven took over and made his way back to Nell's. He let himself in and looked around to see what he might have missed.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell turned as he came in and smiled at him. "Steven, welcome. Hospitality and safety to you while you're here."

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers," Steven said as he came in. He smiled at her. "Happy birthday. Or day before I suppose. Is it all right? Not too much for you?"

[pocketpretzels]

Yes, they'd seen each other at lunch but that was hours ago. Hours.

"Hello, you," Watts greeted as he wandered over, still absently twirling a flower blossom he'd plucked from some unlucky plant.

[hasaknightjob]

Far too many hours!

"Hello, you," Steven said. He didn't go for a kiss because he didn't know if Llewellyn would be comfortable doing so around other people. But he did give Llewellyn a grateful look for being there.

[unusual_sith]

"Welcome, Steven!" Lana said, waving. She was a little disappointed he and Marc hadn't come together; she'd been rather looking forward to seeing what that was like. Still, she did get each of them in turn.

[hasaknightjob]

That was something Marc and Steven needed to work up to around other people, let alone groups. But perhaps someday!

Steven waved back. "Lana, hello! How are you?"

Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell bustled around, setting out the salad and the still warm sourdough bread with both regular and vegan butter, and bringing out a light vegetable broth based soup with tiny noodles for everyone.

There was a pitcher of water and glasses for everyone as well as hot water and mugs for tea. If the Detective or others wanted wine there was a bottle of Sister Erasmus' red that Nell had traded for before she came back.

"Please sit, let's eat," she said. "I'll get the stir fry finished up in a few minutes."

She'd be bowing her head in prayer for a moment, but she didn't expect anyone else to.

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Sure you don't need any help bringing it in?" Steven asked.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Maybe when I bring the main meal in," she said, "but for now I'm good, thank you."

Re: Dinner and cake

[pocketpretzels]

You didn't have to tell Watts twice!

And no, the bread had no mysterious chunks missing from it as it was set on the table thank you very much.

He did end up pouring himself some of that wine- just a small amount at first, enough to give it a careful, thoughtful sip, and then a full glass.

Re: Dinner and cake

[unusual_sith]

Lana settled in and waited politely while Nell prayed, then started in on the wine and got a piece of bread to go with the soup. "This all smells wonderful, as usual."