mylandmyrules | A Celebration for Nell

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

From:

mylandmyrules

"Oh sure. There's a dance tomorrow night and then kind of a carnival the next day with booths and pie throwing and dunk tanks." She smile. "At least that's what it was like from what I remember."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Like carnival games?" Steven asked, to see if he understood it. "Throw a pie at a target and win a prize?"

From:

mylandmyrules

"Exactly," Nell said. "I didn't participate much, but it was fun to watch."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Never really done those," Steven admitted. "But isn't that a waste of pie? Be horrible someone throwing perfectly good pies about."

From:

mylandmyrules

"Maybe," Nell said. "But once someone buys a pie they can do whatever they want from it."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Maybe they weren't good pies to begin with," Steven said. "Inedible or something."

Steven couldn't imagine someone throwing away one of Nell's pies. And if anyone tried it with one of Llewellyn's - well, Steven would have strong opinions on that.

From:

mylandmyrules

"That's possible," Nell said. "I wouldn't know. I'm sure they're not expensive pies for sure."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Well hopefully everyone has fun," Steven said. "And that whatever goes on doesn't interfere with you enjoying your birthday. I'm grateful we were able to spend some of the celebration with you, even if it's a day early."

From:

mylandmyrules

"I'm very happy to be able to have my first birthday party with the four of you," Nell said with a smile. "That makes it very special."

From:

hasaknightjob

"It's an honor to be here," Steven told her. "Kind of you to let us spend it with you."

From:

mylandmyrules

Nell laughed. "I'm the one getting presents and cake!"

From:

hasaknightjob

"But we get to share the enjoyment with you," Steven said. "And it being your first - it means a lot to be here."

From:

mylandmyrules

"And I'm glad to have you here," Nell said simply.

From:

hasaknightjob

"Have you thought about when you'd like to open your presents?" Steven asked. "Entirely up to you. Could even save ours for tomorrow if you'd rather have something on your actual birthday."

Steven and Marc wouldn't be there, of course, but Steven wanted to give Nell a polite excuse in case she might have been feeling self-conscious about opening her gifts while people were watching.

From:

mylandmyrules

"Oh no, I'll open them while you're all here," Nell assured him. "Maybe after we eat and before Lana's cake?"

From:

hasaknightjob

Admittedly Steven was glad he'd be able to see if Nell liked what he'd gotten. Obviously because he hoped she'd like it, but also it would help figuring out future presents to buy her when the occasion arose.

"Whenever you'd like," Steven said. "But that sounds lovely."

From:

mylandmyrules

"Then that's what we'll do," Nell said with a nod. "Give our stomachs a few minutes to settle before we eat again."

From:

hasaknightjob

"You know the nice thing is you can make your own traditions," Steven said. "Not that you've to commit to anything now. But you can try it out, see what makes a good birthday for you. There's some things that loads of people do, like the cake. But things like singing or games or anything else. Whatever you fancy."

From:

mylandmyrules

"I don't think games are for me," Nell said, "And I'm not sure we'd all know the same songs. But I do like being able to get together with friends."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Well you're off to a good start there," Steven said with a smile. "Well done, you. Singing is things like Happy Birthday or For She's a Jolly Good Fellow. But doesn't have to be done if you don't care for it."

From:

mylandmyrules

"I think traditionally they sing Happy Birthday when they bring the cake out," Nell said. "So that will be okay."

From:

hasaknightjob

Steven considered the other two guests at the table, then leaned in to whisper to Nell, "Do you know the words? Because we may have to teach them. Or shall I do it for everyone?"

From:

mylandmyrules

Nell looked at him with wide eyes. "I only know that you sing Happy Birthday," she admitted. "So you're probably on your own."

She and Lana hadn't covered that in their birthday prep.