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

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"You can sing whichever you choose," Nell said with a smile.

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Might do both then," Steven said. "See if I don't."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "I will be delighted with whatever you do."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"In fairness you haven't heard me sing," Steven said. That probably did need a warning.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Oh dear," Nell said. "Well I'll take it in the spirit with which it was intended."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Appreciated," Steven said. At least he made up for a lot with enthusiasm? "Dinner's great, by the way. I do like it."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Thank you," Nell said. "I hope it's not too spicy. I like a lot myself and can sometimes not tone it down enough for others."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Don't mind spice at all," Steven assured her. "Love a good curry. That'll be one of the things I take Llewellyn to tomorrow. My favorite takeaway. Give him a feel for what it was like for me, living there."

And a great deal of street vendors. Not that Steven was attempting to not so subtly bribe Llewellyn into liking the place.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"I've never had curry," Nell admitted. "I'm sure you and the Detective will have a wonderful time in London."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh if you like spice you should try it," Steven said. "Now fair warning, it's not like spices you get in things like stir fry. Hits your palette different. But there's restaurants here on the island that do a bang up job. The Thai place for a start. Might be a good place to begin with, actually. Then we can move you on to proper Indian."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Maybe I will," Nell said. "I can see if I like it and go from there."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Do let me know how you like it," Steven said. "Won't ever be able to cook the way you do but at least I'll know what to order if we're having takeaway."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"I will," Nell assured him. It looked like everyone was mostly finished eating. "Maybe I should open the presents now? Before Lana brings the cake out?"

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"If you like," Steven said. "Do you need help bringing things back?"

Steven was already moving to stand up to aid her.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"If you'd like," Nell said, clearing the dishes near her. "I'll wash up later, so just stack them by the sink, if you please."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was thrilled to be able to help - and Marc could just shut up later when he made his little comments about why couldn't Steven be that helpful about cleaning up at home?

Steven gathered up the plates and dinner specific silverware. "Are we leaving the glasses?"

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell was a little shocked at her own daring in telling a man what to do in the kitchen, but he did offer.

"Glasses... Yes, let's leave them for now, I think."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was likewise pleasantly surprised that Nell had taken him up on it, but he wasn't going to make a fuss so as not to discourage her from doing it again.

"Easy enough to do," he said as he brought the dishes in as instructed. "Let me know if you need any help with the washing up later as well."

He highly doubted she would take him up on that but at least she could get used to hearing the offer.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Mmm hmm," Nell said noncommittally. "Thank you." She scraped the plates, rinsed them quckly and set them to the side. "All right, I think it's time for presents."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Some say that's the most fun part," Steven said. "Though hard to go wrong with the cake, I think."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Well, I already know I like cake," Nell pointed out. She made her way back to the other room where the Detective's book shaped parcel and Marc and Steven's considerably larger package rested on a counter.

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"That's true," Steven said as he followed her and resumed his seat at the table. "Guess this is where we find out if you like this bit as well."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell opened the Detective's packege first and her eyes lit up. "Ohh, The Viper of Milan. It's historical fiction, right? That's one of my favorites. Oh thank you, Detective!"

Re: Dinner and cake

[pocketpretzels]

"You're quite welcome," Watts smiled at her. "I had a feeling you'd appreciate it, and I'm glad my instinct was correct."

It was quite possible Nell was going to end up with a number of books that would make serious collectors both deeply envious and terribly confused with how well-preserved they were.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"It's beautiful," Nell said. "I will treasure this and I can't wait to read it."

She set it aside, along with the carefully preserved and refolded wrapping paper and turned to the rather large package. Her eyes went wide when she opened it. "Oh my. This is... it's beautiful, but it's too expensive!"

She looked over at Steven. "This is - it's amazing, but I don't know if I should - I priced something like this and - oh, thank you, but are you sure this isn't too much?"