Happy Birthday, Viatorus!

[westfallcorndog]

Invitations to this party have been written in neatly legible, semi-calligraphic font, hand-crafted with care and talent by Amelia Ronsam. Harrowheart has asked that she create a few more than necessary on the off-chance anyone lost theirs and was liberal in handing them out.

The room mentioned on the card is easy to find with a map of the aquarium: In the Earth wing, past a long series of exhibits, and through a glass hallway over which the water rests and the fish are free to swim. The corridor ends in a dome-shaped room spacious enough for a party of a few dozen. 

The meeting space, like the hallway, is composed entirely of glass walls around which a vibrant array of Earth’s tropical fish drift through bright blue waters. Now and then they dart in odd directions, flashing their gem-like scales as their school is disturbed by the passing of a sea turtle or the flowing wings of a manta ray. Far, far in the distance are the silhouettes of whales that, on rare occasion, shadow the dome as they pass between the party and the far-off source of light above the water. Simpler creatures crawl through the coral just on the other side of the glass: crabs and minnows tease at algae, grinning eels poke shyly from their dark crevices, and anemones dance with the motion of the flowing seawater. The only thing to break the immersion of the scene are the mermaid attendants, glimpses of whom can be caught as they feed the fish while trying their best to stay professionally unnoticed. 

Outside the glass is the beauty, but inside is the party! There are bubbly balloon letters hung from the ceiling reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Green streamers dangle from the ceiling like kelp, and someone's even set up a motorized shark balloon to swim through the air. Set up against one rounded wall are two buffet tables of food laid out. Stacks of cheese-stuffed fried peppers, fried chicken, grilled corn cobs, a kind of savory pork stew, something resembling black crab legs that’s been labeled ‘Duskwood Land Crab,’ a fruit and vegetable platter, a single pizza for the guests to fight over, and for the English Birthday Boy, cucumber sandwiches. Drinks are a bowl of punch and a keg of water. Looks like this aquarium party is a dry one. The sweets are cookies and hard candies laid atop a pile of pink candy floss. Then, of course, there is the cake: One large sheet cake of marbled chocolate and vanilla iced with buttercream frosting. On top there rests a little gingerbread man with black icing hair sleeping soundly atop a little frosted bed, a red smile on his face. Four tall candles make the posts of the bed. An unsteady hand has piped along the side ‘Happy Birthday Viatorus!’

Two people beat the crowd to enjoy this quiet afternoon retreat. Harrowheart, who sits at one of the tables in the middle and watches the passing of the fish, is dressed for the tropics. He’s bought himself a Hawaiian shirt to go over a pink tank with a pair of palm trees on the front, and of course he’s wearing his usual cargo shorts and tan work boots. Any rumors of pajama dress code were greatly exaggerated. With him is Amelia, whose garb for the evening is much more demure than her usual. The first sign is her lack of visible weapons. The second is the combination of dark navy jeans and black blouse. Her hair is tied back in a simple braid and the hair pin she's always been so fond of is nowhere to be seen. 

((If you'd like to greet the host and/or hostess or remark on your character's entry, feel free to tag this post. Otherwise, try the Gift-Giving or Free Mingle subsections: Viatorus will accept gifts and well-wishings in the Gift-Giving section, and threadhopping will be with OOC permission. Free Mingle will be a threadhopping-encouraged area for party-goers to interact with each other. Meet new characters, talk about fish, fight about who gets to eat the pizza.))

Comments

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus gets more than a little caught up pressing his nose against the glass to stare out at the mermaids and fishes, peering in as far as he can. Then nearly tripping over as he watches the manta rays closer than where he's going. In a grey-blue tweed suit and light blue shirt, he's not exactly as casual as a Hawaiian shirt, but he managed to forego a tie or waistcoat.

As soon as he steps into the room, he stops and admires, eyes wide as he takes everything in. The balloons, the streamers, the perfectly wonderful surroundings... and then the people. Friends and... a few new faces, but not enough to make him worry much.

He fidgets and, provided he doesn't get distracted by the fish again, makes his way over to whoever catches his eye.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia won't leave the guest of honor fidgeting alone for long. She smiles softly as she approaches and then motions to all the decorations set up in front of the aquarium glass. "What do you think? It's not too much, is it?"

[heirtothearcane]

"Oh no, it's lovely," he assures her happily, rocking on his heels slightly as he looks around. He waves a palm at the streamers. "I like that." Then he spots the motorised shark and laughs. "And that!"

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Most of it was Harrow's idea. I'm afraid all I did was buy supplies and hire others to do the heavy lifting." She laughs softly and turns her attention to the scene beyond the glass. "This place is..." Her lips purse in thought for a moment before she shakes her head at the only word she can think of for the moment, a small smile on her lips. "Magical."

[heirtothearcane]

He almost goes to put a hand on her shoulder, but catches himself and folds his hands in front of him instead, still with a wide and happy smile. "Every bit of help is important. I'm sure Harrowheart appreciated having someone to help him too."

His smile widens a touch then as he looks around. "It really is. Have you ever seen such a place? It's magnificent."

[rogueinladysclothing]

She notices the catch, but doesn't mention it. It's probably better this way, for both of them.

"I never knew such a place could exist until Harrow mentioned the idea. To get even a glimpse of what's below the surface of a sea, let alone to walk along it, is amazing." She smiles and motions to ocean-bottom view around them. "Who would have thought I'd ever have a chance to see such a sight? I suppose, in a way, I have you to thank for that." There's a wink at the end of that statement for him. Finally, some light teasing. Perhaps things are getting better between them.

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus squirms, happy but shy at the wink, and then looks around again. "It is a marvel." Suddenly he turns his grinning back to Amelia. "Do you like the sea? Or fish? Or swimming?"

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow approaches with a little cone-shaped paper hat in his hands. He stretches the band that's meant to go under the chin, but doesn't yet put it on him or even offer. His eyes are on the sights outside the room.

"I thought you might like it, since you said you like the ocean and swimmin' and all. Figured it'd be peaceful."

He looks down at V with a slight smile. "Have you picked a favorite fish yet?"

[heirtothearcane]

The hat gets very little attention when Harrowheart is bringing his thoughts back to the amazing scenery around them. It makes him smile widely. "It's wonderful, Harrowheart! I've never been to anywhere like this. Not in person, certainly."

At the question he ducks his head sheepishly and shakes it. "There are so many..."

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow pats V's shoulder and shakes his head calmly. "You don't gotta pick. They're all nice in their owns ways, huh?" But having said that, Harrow points to a nearby rock formation in which a shy eel is watching from the shadows, its mouth half-agape, eye wide. "I think I like that guy. He looks like he told a bad joke and he's waitin' for everyone to groan."

Then, while the birthday boy is distracted, Harrow gently places the hat on his head and sets the springy strap under his chin.

"Your wizard hat," he says with a lopsided grin. "It'll let you channel great magics and..." he rolls his hand vaguely, "Help you soak up the birthday vibes."

[heirtothearcane]

When Harrowheart points out the eel and offer up his description, Viatorus gives a small, delighted laugh. Then before he can say anything there's a hat on his head. He carefully touches it with both hands, feeling it out curiously and watching Harrowheart with raised eyebrows. "Oh... I've never worn one of these before... Where's yours?"

[westfallcorndog]

V's laughter is so cute, Harrow can't help but side-hug him at the sound of it. And then such a question! His hands feel the empty hat-shaped spot above his head.

"You're right, you can't be the only one with a hat! You'll stand out too much. Come with as I go grab one."

One of his hands gently takes Viatorus by the wrist as he walks toward the buffet table. He plucks a hat for himself from a pile near the plates and sets it on his head, then fixes up the strap. His other hand 'subtly' leads Viatorus over toward the cake with the tiny gingerbread V sleeping on a sugary bed of dreams and calories.

"I made all the food," Harrow says in a faux-humble way. "Except the pizza. I bought that. You ever had pizza? You ever had a cake with a little you on it? Now's your chance."

:D Happy birthday icons!

[heirtothearcane]

The side hug takes him by surprise but he doesn't have much time to process it before they're heading over to the buffet table. It's a far cry from battered prawns, vol-au-vents and other elegant finger foods he usually finds at parties and events. This is new and different and interesting... "I didn't know you could cook."

And then there's a gingerbread him. His cheeks go a little red and his fingers fidget, unsure of what to think, let alone say. He glances from the cake to Harrowheart and back a few times before he points limply at the cake. "That's me...? And... you made it...?"

[juststeverogers]

Steve is in his old suit he arrived in the Nexus with, fingers pressed against the glass almost as eagerly as Viatorus had been only moments ago.

He doesn't catch sight of the birthday boy until he's ripped himself away from the view, and can't help but grin as he heads the other's way.

"Happy Birthday Viatorus!"

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus beams brightly when he spots his friend coming towards him. Meeting him halfway, he sets his hands behind his back to reduce the excited fidgeting starting to happen. "Thank you, Steve. It's good to see you here. How have you been?"

[juststeverogers]

"Freezing, mostly, but I'm well. Work has been steady which never hurts."

Seeing Viatorus in a suit as well makes Steve inwardly pleased with his own choice of attire. Wouldn't do to have the birthday boy stand out like a sore thumb in the awkward sort of way.

"Have you ever seen anything like this?" Steve gestures to the aquarium shaking his head. "I can't even believe this is all possible. Is it magical?"

[heirtothearcane]

"It has been bitterly cold," he agrees with a sympathetic smile. Not something that bothers him too much. It just gives him an excuse to use different types of magic.

"I... don't think so..." He can't help it, he beams again once he's admiring their surroundings once more. "I've only seen things like this in dreams. Never in person. It's... surreal. Like another world entirely... I think I could stare out at it for hours. Days, even."

[juststeverogers]

"We should definitely take a stroll through this place before the day is over." Steve agrees, glad someone else has his enthusiasm and appreciation for something like this.

"I'd love to sketch something in here....that would be really nice." He feels less silly admitting his awe of the place since Viatorus seems equally stunned, and Viatorus owns a castle of magic.

[heirtothearcane]

"I think we might lose each other, but I'm certain that I will wander around a little, and come back after today to enjoy the sights here."

Viatorus perks up at the idea. "That sounds wonderful! What would you draw first? Have you ever drawn fish before?"

[smartass_captain]

Jim has a way of catching everyone's eye even when he doesn't mean to. The captain is dressed down for the gathering in a leather jacket and jeans. It's so different form his Captain's uniform, but somehow still suits him.

"Hey, the guest of honor." Jim makes his way over to meet Viatorus and claps him on the shoulder. "Good to see you! Pretty nice place you've got going for a party."

There should be a dark haired man hovering somewhere near Jim but Felix isn't a pet and if he's wandered off Jim's certain he'll be back before long.

[conjuredskies]

Felix isn't far behind. It's just that he caught sight of his first manta ray and nearly went halfway across the room trying to follow it before he caught himself.

Anyway, he makes it back almost before Jim's done greeting the young man who's most likely Viatorus. Jim's easy to pick out from a crowd, whatever the lighting. Felix slips up by his shoulder and bows slightly to their new acquaintance. Amelia said the man was shy, so he's going to leave a tactful bit of space and wait a moment to introduce himself.

[heirtothearcane]

The back clapping catches him by surprise, but he doesn't jump nearly so high as usual. Possibly he's starting to get used to Harrowheart and the general comfort with body contact that others seem to have. He's soon smiling. "Jim."

"It's wonderful, isn't it? I never would have thought of this. It's all Harrowheart and Amelia's doing." He scans their surroundings before returning his attention to the men in front of him, his eyes sliding to Felix when he approaches. Hesitantly, he bows back, because mimicry is always a fairly safe bet. "Hello."

[smartass_captain]

"I wouldn't have thought of something like this either, but it's damn impressive. They do good work." Jim whistles appreciatively at the choice of venues. He turns halfway to give Felix a teasing raised eyebrow when the conjurer comes back, before gesturing between him and Viatorus.

"Viatorus this is Felix Caelus of Tamriel. Harrow encouraged me to bring someone, so I thought a fellow magic user might make for interesting conversation. Felix, this is Viatorus...Durant, yes?" He knows the name of every crew member on his ship, you'd better believe he knows those of his acquaintances and friends in the Nexus.

"Happy Birthday, by the way. You deserve to have some fun once in a while, yeah?"

[conjuredskies]

He gives Jim a slightly sheepish shrug. There was this enormous fish creature, you really had to be there. Maybe he'll get to point it out to the captain later.

Felix gives Viatorus a cheerful, friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a little of your family, but truthfully I was more intrigued to hear that you specialize in dreams. It's such a rare field of study in my world, I don't think I've ever met a true scholar of the matter."

All of which is true, although it is the more flattering and less awkward version of the truth.

[heirtothearcane]

"Yes, Durant," Viatorus confirms quietly. Now more raised eyebrows and curious looks than uncertain ones. Felix's name is as Latin as his own and Tamriel doesn't sound familiar at all. It's all kinds of intriguing.

Jim gets a warm smile and a 'thank you' for the birthday wishes and then Felix starts talking and he's left blinking. Someone has heard of his family, but is more interested in him and dreams? A little red comes to his cheeks. "Oh. Thank you. I-It's a pleasure to meet you too. I... In my world very few people study it. It... It's not always an easy thing to study."