Happy Birthday//Welcome Home!

[alittlehinky]

The garden is flourishing, a riot of blooms at one end, plants heavy with fruit at the other. The chickens are in place, over two dozen of them in an oversized coop at one end of the property. The barn is unfinished, but the moonshining shed is massive, shiny and new, with locks on the doors and storm shutters on the windows, in case of another winter like the last.

The house is not huge, a sturdy two-bedroom place built with thick stone walls. It contains single floor for living, a small attic, and a deep split-level cellar. The furniture has been moved in; it's all secondhand but repaired and refinished.

By Cricket's own standards, the place is practically a palace. He never dreamed he would own so much land--granted, this is the Nexus so the topography and acreage may fluctuate, his claim may be challenged legally, whatever--it belongs to him right now, he bought it with money he earned, and he's got the living space upon it arranged to his liking.

It's sunset, and there are fairy lights strung up on the porch and in the yard, tables with food and moonshine set out, and beneath the treeline off to the right of the house there are fireflies flickering. There's a radio playing music, and lots of blankets spread on the grass for sitting or watching the stars. It's meant to be a low-key affair, but enough people wanted to see Cricket's place he felt like a party was the right idea. A small one. A quiet one.

(This is the Nexus, and there are Lokis. There is always a chance small and quiet may not stay small and quiet.)

The cake, in case anyone wants to know, is vanilla with blackberry filling. There's no writing on it, but it's the centerpiece of the food table. Cricket's not in the habit of demanding attention on his birthday, but...blackberry cake.

[[ETA: Please feel free to assume if your character knows Cricket they were invited via text or face-to-face discussion. If your character doesn't know Cricket personally but you want them to drop in, feel free to PM me and we'll figure out a reason to get them there.]

Comments

[outpostcook]

"This is a pretty nice setup. You really know how to do a good time."

Kinner comes by with a knapsack containing several books - all wrapped and with Cricket's name on them. He didn't spare any expense at the bookshop a few days before. He's carrying a tin of biscuits and a bowl of popcorn shrimp. It went over well at the Lokis' party, so he figures it might go over well here. He looks like his old self again, between his bright expression and the lack of injuries. After getting a slice of cake and some moonshine, he turns to face the host.

"Hello, Cricket. Heard you were having a party, and I thought I'd come visit. It's been a while." He puts down the bowl of shrimp. "I had a conversation with someone named Nál. Friendly enough, but a bit strange." The cook draws out the presents. One of them is a book of Irish mythology, the second is a book of recipes, and the third is a travel book about Antarctica.

He offers them to Cricket. "Here - I bought them for you."

[alittlehinky]

"Hey, Kinner!" As always, Cricket is happy to see a friend. He's got a blend of moonshine and lemonade in his own cup, and he's been nibbling off the food table already. In addition to what Kinner's brought, there are deviled eggs, sliced vegetables, watermelon, chips and peanuts.

"Aw...you didn't have to bring me nothin'," he murmurs, sheepish but pleased. He can tell they're books without even opening them. After setting them aside on an empty table, he offers Kinner a shy hug. "Thanks."

[outpostcook]

Kinner shyly returns the hug. It's not so much that he's shy himself, it's more that he's not used to affection. Antarctica was a rugged place with rugged people. He's touched by the gesture and smiles.

"McReady says hello," he tells Cricket. "He couldn't come - he and Van Wall have some business back home - but one of the books was their idea. They come and go, 'cause they ain't...you know. How did things go after the winter for you? I'll admit that I was a little concerned, though things mostly turned out all right in the end. Your house certainly looks like it's back in order." He grins. "I think I owe you a fishing trip before the next winter."

[sweetcandygirl]

Of course Harley wanted to attend the celebration. After all, Cricket is like a brother to her. And she is excited to be at his new place, checking out the garden, the chicken coop, and the barn.

Harley came to the party with a friend, Pamela Isley. And both girls were dressed up for the celebration. Harley was wearing a playful black and lace dress, complete with fancy gloves and a set of black heels. Her long white hair was done, flowing around her waist, with tons and tons of tiny little ringlets.

Pamela was also wearing a black lace dress, that was accented with actual roses. She had her red hair styled in a fancy up-do.

The woman are carrying a large fruit basket, with exotic fruits that Cricket can use for whatever he desires. They set it up on a table, before glancing around the setting of the immediate area.

"Ohhhh there is cake..." Harley grinned, sighting the centerpiece.

"You always spot sweets from a mile away." Pamela laughs lightly.

"Hi Cricket!" Harley's voice carries to over where he is standing.

[alittlehinky]

Well, damn. It wasn't meant to be a formal kind of party, and when the two women show up in their fancy outfits Cricket can't help but stare for a second. Secretly, he's wondering if Loki would ever wear something like that in her female form...

Look, he's just turned 20 years old. There's a certain amount of circulating hormones. Fortunately, he's able to shake that off after a moment and his grin when he limps over to meet them is bright and warm.

"Shoot, I didn't know you were both comin'!" He's absolutely thrilled. "You want cake?"

[sweetcandygirl]

Are you going to tell either woman that this wasn't a formal party, Cricket? They love dressing up for no reason.

"Yes!" Harley answers with an excited grin.

"None for me, thank you." Pamela is a little more subdued.

[readvondaniken]

"Hey there, Cricket. Nice to see you." Palmer's hanging on the porch, leaning against the wood with some food on a platter. There's a package wrapped in paper under one arm. "Glad you're doin' well for yourself. This place has really grown." The mechanic surveys the house and garden. "I'm impressed - this musta taken a while to set up."

Palmer's come ready for a party, and today his expression and attitude are happy. He can appreciate a good time with good friends. His package contains a CD player and a set of CDs, containing music from Palmer's time period. He decided it would be nice to introduce Cricket to eighties culture. He offers him the gift. "Made somethin' for you. It's a surprise."

[alittlehinky]

"I had to hire a contractor," Cricket tells him, coming over with a bright grin to take the platter for him. There's plenty of space for it on the tables. "Come get some moonshine t'drink?"

Oh. Oh, wait, he can't carry the platter and accept the gift at the same time. Cricket looks perplexed for half a second, then hastens to put the food on the table and then take the package. "Thank you! I didn't expect gifts or nothing. It's nice you thought of me."

Really, he's just happy to be surrounded by friends. Not that he's turning down any presents, either.

[totallyadog]

A dog rushes up to Cricket, giving a series of happy barks. Bob's happy to see Cricket again, even though he doesn't transform here. There are too many people here he doesn't know, and he's been a lot more wary about using his alien powers ever since the Guardians showed up. There's an envelope in his mouth - a happy birthday card, signed by both Bob and Blair.

Hello! So this must be where you live. Bob puts the envelope down, getting a better sense of the house's environment. Blair and I have a place near the edge of the Wilds. He goes there to study the animals sometimes. I come along to keep anything too dangerous at bay and keep us away from places we aren't supposed to be. We don't go in the inhabited areas so much.

Blair sends his regards. Sorry we haven't kept in touch. After everything that happened this winter, I have to be much more careful around transforming in front of strangers. I'm afraid with the Guardians and Fallen both here this form is much safer. But it is nice to see you again!

[alittlehinky]

Even though Cricket knows perfectly well that Bob is not actually a happy dog, he can't resist coming over and crouching to ruffle his fur. "Evenin', Bob!" He laughs softly, accepting the card.

"It's a'ight. I'm glad to see you. If I save a piece of cake for Mr. Blair, you think you can take it back for him?" He scratches behind Bob's ears lazily. "You're welcome in any form."

He...probably shouldn't be so cavalier about that. His chickens would probably be terrified of the Thing's true shape. But at least Cricket trusts Bob not to cause him trouble. "I guess you don't really eat, but if you wanna try anything I could make you a plate."

[slicksalesman]

"Howdy, Cricket!" Mr. Slick smiled as he greeted the host. With him is Dr. Alma, his wife, and Celeste, his sister, "We heard that yer havin' a party and decided to come,"

The salesman smiled as he offered Cricket the birthday gift box in his hand. Inside is a collection of music from his home planet, a knitted sweater and a box of assorted candy they bought in Nexus.

"Cricket, this is Dr. Alma. She's my dear wife," he smiled proudly as she gestured at the blonde woman wearing the orange sweater dress.

"Greetings," she smiled warmly at him, "We have met,"

"This is Celeste, my sister," the salesman beamed as he gestured at her.

"Howdy, Cricket," Celeste smiled warmly at him.

[alittlehinky]

Cricket looks absolutely thrilled to see Mr. Slick and his family, heading over to meet them at his usual lopsided, steady pace, with a grin on his face. "I'm sure glad you did," he greets.

He offers a handshake to each in turn. "That's right, Doc Alma gave me my vitamin shots for a while there. Glad I don't need 'em no more, but I appreciate it."

He hasn't met Celeste, though, and he gives her a little nod of greeting as well, his smile a little shyer for a stranger. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. Can I get you all somethin' to drink? There's moonshine and wine, but there's lemonade and soda-pop, too."

[juststeverogers]

It's early enough that most of the guests haven't arrived yet. Hardly anyone has heard from Steve Rogers since he and his team came back from the aftermath of their terrible mission. He still gets the texts that come into his PINpoint though even if he rarely responds. He doesn't reply to this one, either. But he does stop by the coordinates given with a brown paper wrapped parcel tucked under one arm.

Steve's usual friendly grin is too much to ask for but Steve manages a small flicker of a smile when he catches Cricket's eye.

"I can't stay for long," or doesn't want to be around very many people more than likely, "but I wanted to swing by with a house warming gift at the very least."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket is more than a little surprised to see Steve. He invited him, of course, because he's a friend, but the text he sent was flavored with an implicit 'I know you're busy and I won't be upset if you can't make it'. It's good to see him, though, not just because Cricket's touched he took time for him, but also because it reassures him Steve is still functional enough to get up and get around, at least some of the time.

So, maybe Cricket moves a little faster coming to meet this friend than the others. "Hello, Steve!" His smile is bright and uncomplicated, because he can do that for someone he knows is in pain.

"It's your birthday comin' up, too, ain't it? It's okay if you can't stay, but maybe have a little cake before you go." He offers an armclasp and a hopeful look.

He can't do anything much helpful for the lot from Steve's world, but giving him sweets at least makes Cricket feel like he's doing something.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

Actual houses are somewhat a novelty to Matt, who has spent nearly his entire life in Manhattan surrounded by high-rises and whose own apartment is luxuriously huge by New York standards yet still a relative shoebox compared to this. He might have to poke around later just out of curiosity, but for now, there is a wonderful party atmosphere in the yard he's keen to get in on.

He's dressed down a little in a blue button-up and black pants, and though he's brought his cane along just in case, he has it stashed in his back pocket. His hands are occupied instead with a small flowerpot containing a peace lily for the host, whose voice is easy to pick out among the other guests.

The beauty of the fairy lights and the fireflies might be lost on Matt, but the scent of flowers and fruit makes up for it, if you ask him. "This is a nice place you've got."

[alittlehinky]

Matt can probably hear how the wooded end of the property is alive with insect and animal sounds, crickets (real ones), cicadas, and birds singing under the trees. He can probably also hear the chickens clucking contentedly in their space. Cricket made sure to feed them before anyone came over, so they wouldn't be fussing. In a domestic chicken's brain humans=food, and so many of them hanging around without bringing tribute would be stressful if they were hungry.

"Good evenin'!" Cricket's voice is as warm for Matt as for the other guests. He's ridiculously excited to have friends over. "Thank you for coming, Matt. You--aw, is that for me? You didn't have to."

But flowers are good presents. He'll have to show this one to Pamela before she leaves.

"I was gonna walk people around a little if they wanna see the stills and all," he says. "Later, once people have eaten. If you want, I'll walk the table with you and tell you what all is set out where." Because even supernatural senses, he imagines, can't tell you which plate has carrots and ranch dip and which has cake with complete accuracy.

[middle_son]

Forrest may be just slightly later arriving than he'd like, although it's a fair bet that he wanted to be early so on the balance of things that's just fine. It's taken him more time than he expected just because of how much he's carrying. There's a basket over one arm, and a large heavy covered pan that requires both hands. The smell of homemade fried chicken that wafts from the latter is unmistakable and mouth-watering. In the basket are fresh bread rolls to go with it, and a jar of butter just in case there wasn't any on hand. Cricket's party will not go without good food.

Forrest assumes he doesn't need to bring drinks, because Cricket has been doing quite well on that front by himself.

[alittlehinky]

Forrest arrives after Steve, but before most of the others, and that all works out fine as far as Cricket is concerned. He's touched to have so much company.

Cricket scrambles a little to meet Forrest, because he's carrying so much and because what he's carrying smells borderline divine. He asked for fried chicken because no one in the Nexus makes it the way Forrest does. Forrest then offered homemade rolls, and he couldn't say not to that. He feels a little bad that he'd already ordered the cake because Forrest acted like he should have had him make it, too. But then, Forrest always wants to do more than he should have to, and sometimes more than he can, and Cricket knows that damn well.

He offers to take the pan right away. His braces are on, no cane needed, so he seems safe to manage that. "Aw, hell, Forrest, this smells amazing. I'mma put it on the table closest to the house so the chickens don't think I'm threatening them."

On the opposite end, as well, from where the fruit and veggies are set out. He knows Harley doesn't want to have to smell the chicken, even if he thinks it's great.

[readvondaniken]

There's a man with scruffy hair that vaguely looks like a badly-groomed dandelion standing close by. Palmer notices the other man quickly, but is further attracted by the scent of homemade fried chicken. He comes over, trying to look somewhat distinguished even with the patches on his clothes and scruffy appearance. He offers a warm smile, partly his own nature and partly moonshine.

"I smell chicken. Mind if I have any, please?" Palmer offers a hand. "My name's James Palmer. I'm a friend of Cricket's."

[chiron_survivor]

It takes a couple of minutes for Adia and Caspar to make their way to the birthday boy. Adia first has to look over the house, and the yard, and the garden. She's especially taken with the garden, pointing out the various flowers to Caspar while he listens with a smile, as if he doesn't already know the names of most of them.

Finally, they make their way to Cricket. Adia is dressed in a simple summer frock. Caspar is likewise casual, wearing a suit, but forgoing a tie. "Happy birthday, Cricket," Adia greets with a smile and a hug. "Your garden is so beautiful. It reminds me of home."

Caspar offers a wrapped package to Cricket. "Got you a little something," he says casually, although there's a hint of a smile on his face. It's a glass blown cricket, shiny and iridescent, something that would sit nicely on a windowsill and catch the light.

[alittlehinky]

Oh, they will get a full tour once Cricket spies them, if they want it. In the garden, there's a neat little herbal border of creeping thyme and lily of the valley, and flowers include zinnia, black-eyed susans, fire pinks and bee balm and brightly colored phlox. Cricket has encouraged some of the wildflowers at the edge of the woods, too, and added a few plants he hopes will spread, dropping compost and fertilizers where they're needed. His favorites are mostly early spring flowers--alas, the trillium and lady's slippers are done blooming for the year--but there's queen anne's lace, rhododendron, thimbleberry and sumac.

Cricket is in a relatively casual outfit, with a highly peculiar cat sweater on over his button-down and slacks. Maybe Loki picked that one out? Or maybe not. Cricket's taste is a little quirky.

He grins and hugs Adia gently, and looks happily surprised to have a present at all, shaking Caspar's hand firmly before opening the package. The gasp of delight ought to be rewarding. "Thank you! Oh, it's pretty!"

He'll put it next to the repaired sandglobe, on the bedroom windowsill.

As he's still exclaiming over it, none other than Willie the Lillipup trots over, possibly recognizing Adia's voice. She is, as always, sharply dressed, in a sailor costume, with a matching blue bow on her head. She hops up on her hind legs, resting her paws on Cricket's leg braces and peering at the guests curiously, tail wagging away.

[magpiemythos]

The chickens are happily pecking around their yard, just as they've been.

Granted now they're all sporting vibrant rainbow plumage, and the biggest rooster has a glittery bowtie, but none of them seem overly bothered by this development.

And neither does Loki, gaze skipping over the colorful poultry as a pair of blue and green birds squabbled over a particularly tasty bit of feed. And while the party was casual, she'd decided to forgo that, dressed in a deceptively sweet dress, hair pulled back with a sunflower to finish the look. She'd definitely be snooping over what everyone had brought, saying her hellos to the other guests, but first things first, she should find the adorable host of this little get-together.

[alittlehinky]

Loki and Cricket have already whiled away at least an hour of their fleeting lifespans watching chickens in pants run around on youtube videos, so Cricket probably should have anticipated this contribution to the decor. He...didn't, though, and so when he catches sight of all the color and motion in the pen, he lopes over to get a look and make sure everything's okay. What's in there, are those balloons, or?

Oh. Nope. It's the birds themselves. Cricket stares blankly at the rainbow chaos for a moment as the more personable handful of the bunch detach themselves and come over to cluck at him. Lucky thing his burst of laughter doesn't startle them. They're just happy to be there and hoping for handouts.

He's still giggly when Loki approaches, and hears her coming before getting an eyeful. "I know you're the one that did this," he begins, and then turns, and--

Oh. Wow. His mouth drops open, gaze sweeping over her, and then he moves closer to put his arms around her waist. "Hello, Pretty-Bird."

[volurofthehearth]

Normally Runa would be on time, if not early, for a party, but getting herself ready and then navigating the Nexus ensures she's a little late when she finally arrives. Those who know her even a little won't be surprised to see that her arms are full. A casserole dish with acorns, vines and leaves patterned around its side takes up most of her arms. It's heavy with the fresh bread inside. What sits slightly more precariously are the two wine bottles gripped by spare fingers, one bottle per hand. Suddenly she's grateful Isidor has been pushing her so hard to get fit and strong.

When she approaches the new homestead she forgets about her burden, and almost ends up wandering away from the house just to have a good look around. A few steps in, however, her muscles complain and bring her back to the main party. Once she's unburdened herself she takes a moment to enjoy the ache of her arms as she stretches them and then, in a swirl of the blue and white skirt of her dress, turns to see if she can spy any familiar faces.

[alittlehinky]

Cricket is circulating as best he can with his slow, uneven walk, and he sees her draw nigh and head for the tables. It takes him only a moment to break away and come to meet her, beaming. "H'llo, Runa! You didn't have to bring all that. I'm glad you could make it, though."

They've already been over how much she likes to hand out baked goods, so he's not going to be shy about taste-testing what she brought. First thing's first, though. "You want anything to drink? It ain't all moonshine, I promise. And you can come see the chickens if you wanna. Loki turned them rainbow colors for the party."