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

[alittlehinky]

"Honestly, I reckon there's some humans about who'd eat human meat if you seasoned battered and deep fried it well enough, Forrest."

Wow, Cricket. That was dark. He's smirking. The Nexus has been an interesting influence on this kid.

"Reckon I'd rather stick with chicken, myself. But Harley and Pamela don't eat meat at all, so I'm putting it at one end and their vegetables at the other." He peeps into the pan of chicken and selects a leg to set aside for himself. "Don't worry none, though. It won't go to waste. D'you wanna see the living chickens since you're here? Get you a drink first."

[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."

[slicksalesman]

"Us too," Mr. Slick, Dr. Alma, and Celeste smiled and waved at him as Cricket headed towards them, "It's been quite a while since we last met and time really flew,"

"I'm happy to hear that," Dr. Alma smiled warmly, "But if you need any shots or anything else; like maybe even someone to talk to, our doors are always open,"

Celeste smiled softly at him, her expression shy as well. A small blue blush crept up her face.

"It's nice meetin' ya too, Cricket," she greeted, "I don't mind havin' some moonshine. Is it some type of fancy drink?"

"Thank you, dear," Dr. Alma smiled as she nodded, "I wouldn't mind some wine,"

"Soda-pop for me," Mr. Slick nodded as he smiled, "Would ya like me to help ya, Cricket?"

[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.

[middle_son]

Forrest turns just enough to give him a raised eyebrow, because holy shit whut? On the other hand in typical Forrest fashion, he is expending the minimum amount of energy necessary to get his own message across. A raised eyebrow, a tilt of the shoulders, a brief deeply skeptical look. Words aren't needed so he won't waste them.

Then he lets it all pass, and grunts thoughtfully. "Woulda made a vegetable dish if I'd known." He really would have, even if he's not clear on why anybody would want to pass up homemade fried chicken. In answer to the last question, he gives a nod, because he wants to check out things now that Cricket has settled in.

[middle_son]

Welp, that looks exactly like somebody Forrest was once told to keep an eye out for. Boy could use a good comb and some hair oil. He gives a nod even before Palmer introduces himself properly, because he's got a good idea already. His return handshake is firm, knuckles scarred and hands work-roughened.

"Chicken's for ev'rybody't wants't. Hearda' you. Name's Forrest Bondurant." Whether or not Palmer has heard of him in return, he doesn't ask.

[readvondaniken]

"You've heard of me? Didn't know I was famous." Palmer gives Forrest a cheeky smile before explaining further. "I'm a mechanic. The shop I run's called Gear Today, Gone Tomorrow, and Cricket works part-time for me as my assistant. He's been a real good friend to me."

Once Forrest gives him permission to help himself, Palmer cautiously accepts some chicken and takes a bite. He chews for a few moments, then swallows.

"This is pretty damn good, Mr. Bondurant. Or would you like to be called Forrest?"

[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.

[middle_son]

"Mr. Kinner told me you'd done Cricket a good turn. He used t'do garage work for us, but maybe this place's got a lot more t'offer. Seems he's doin' real well here." Forrest is just a little sad that Franklin County was clearly limited in what opportunities it could offer. As much as hes missed the kid, there's no denying that Cricket has bloomed, in the Nexus.

"Thanks. Either's fine." There are enough people around back home who call him Mr. Bondurant that he's used to it, but a friend of Cricket's is certainly allowed to use his first name.

[readvondaniken]

"Cricket's been real helpful to me as my assistant. I've been teaching him how to work with machines from my time as well as his.." Palmer bites into the chicken. He looks up when he hears Kinner's name. "Oh? You met Kinner? You might want to visit his shop sometime. He makes the best fish in the Nexus by my books. He brought some biscuits and shrimp for the party. Might wanna check his stocks out sometime."

"Thanks, Forrest." Palmer acknowledges the permission he's been granted. "You can call me Palmer. Or Jim, but Palmer's what I'm used to answering to. Cricket and I were in a bit of a similar boat. Not bein' able to go home to our worlds."

[middle_son]

"What is... your time?" Forrest is not adjusting to the Nexus quite as fast as Cricket has, both because he's not as adaptable and because he's not trapped here the same way. It's still strange to him that there are so many people from different times.

"Been meanin't'stop by Kinner's place. Pick up a few new recipes, maybe." It is very good fried chicken, not too greasy, light and crispy. He's no slouch cook, either.

[readvondaniken]

"I'm from 1982. Born in San Diego, if you wanna get specific about it. I'm a long way from where Cricket's from. Only 'bout sixty years apart, we're from the same century, but machines in my time are pretty different." Palmer shows Forrest his Walkman as an example of what he means.

He smiles when Forrest mentions visiting Kinner. "Kinner's a great guy. He'd have some great recipes to teach you if you talk to him, and he makes some great fish. I'm guessing he gave you his address?"

[middle_son]

Cricket's time is also Forrest's time, so that puts him as not even born yet where Forrest is from. He looks at the Walkman when Palmer pulls it out, but his expression shows mild bewildered incomprehension. Yup, that is a box with a cord. That probably does something. It does not look like it could walk, since it has no legs, and it's definitely not a man, and Forrest doesn't know what a 'Sony' is, either. As examples go, it's just plain mystifying.

"Said he hadda shop, I just don't spend much time here. Got work back home." He's making a mental note that he should really make plans to stop by, though.

[readvondaniken]

"It plays music," Palmer explains when he sees the look of confusion on Forrest's face. "You push this button here, put these here headphones on your ears, and voila! Music. Really nothing too fancy, but I'm guessing they're not really a thing where you're from. Not yet, anyway. There's all kinds of machines in the future that I've taught Cricket about."

"Kinner's Kippers. That's what it's called. He's a great guy. Little rough around the edges, but he's got a good heart." Palmer rummages in his pocket. "Tell you what - how 'bout we swap PINpoint information?"

[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.

[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.

[middle_son]

Assuming that Forrest knows what headphones are may also be a stretch, really. But he gives a slow nod, and if he doesn't quite fully understand than at least he can give the impression that he does. All they have at the station is a radio. The Bondurant family was never wealthy or fancy enough to have a phonograph.

'Rough around the edges, with a good heart' could be applied to a number of people Forrest knows, including his older brother Howard. Palmer looks just a little bit like Howard, really, in a way Forrest hasn't yet pinned down. The habit of self-medication, maybe.

Oh no.
Is exchanging PINpoint info some kind of ritual around here?
It probably is.
Forrest pulls his out and hesitates, then prods at it a little to pull up his own number on it, with the air of a senior trying to work out a VCR remote.

[readvondaniken]

Palmer's offering the PINpoint because he's taken a liking to Forrest and also so he can let him know how Cricket's doing. He's not Cricket's guardian, of course, Cricket's an adult, but he is his employer. He considers Cricket's wellbeing partly his responsibility.

While Forrest works with the PINpoint, Palmer's taking the chance to enjoy his supper. By this point Palmer's gobbled down the last of the chicken he took, and is happily sucking the last scrap from the bones. He politely compliments Forrest as he discards them.

"Delicious. Thanks, Forrest. These are some good eats. But yeah, Cricket's fine. He's a good hand with a car, and we make a great team. You're welcome to visit my shop sometime."

[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."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket is unabashed, but he laughs a little at Forrest's expression.

"Forrest, I didn't mean you had to feed the whole party." He reaches up and squeezes his friend's shoulder. "And I got plenty of vegetable and fruit things for them to eat. And pita chips and hummus--you ever eaten hummus? It's good. Mashed up chickpeas with garlic and such."

He'd rather have the homemade fried chicken, too, really, but you have to eat some vegetables sometimes.

Cricket hastens to grab one of the smaller mason jars for Forrest and brings it over. "Come see the coop! There was leftovers from the lumber you brought me, so I gave it to a friend o' mine who was building kind of a garage for his bike. Reckon we both appreciate it. And the chickens do, too."

As they get closer to the coop, Forrest may notice the brightly colored feathers. Cricket has gotten a variety of chickens: silkies, wyandottes, a couple plump Brahma hens, and a rooster with a fantastically long, feathery tail. Loki has dressed them up for the party, so to speak. They're all a rainbow of color.

"They don't usually look like this," Cricket says with a grin.

[alittlehinky]

"It's beautiful," Cricket hastens to assure him, opening his arms and taking the lily gently. "Nice dark, shiny green leaves. Looks real healthy!"

"Harley named a lot of hers. I reckon I'll have to come up with something to call this one." He pets one of the blooms gently. "Hold on, let me put 'er on the table and then I'll show you around. Willie, don't you be trippin' nobody up, you hear?"

Matt can probably hear the little Pokemon as she approaches, trotting across the grass. She's not trying to get underfoot, but if she were, Cricket would be in more danger than Matt. "That's my Lillipup," he explains, setting the flower down and then returning to Matt's side and offering his arm casually.

[alittlehinky]

It's weird from the other end of things, too, although much less painfully so. Awareness of what's happened in Steve's world makes Cricket think of how many other places must suffer disasters like that, while he's happily digging and planting his garden, buying his new chickens, putting up curtains on the windows...

He's never been the sort who felt like he needed to save everyone, just his close friends. He wishes he could do more, but at the same time, he's a little glad he can't, because he wouldn't know what to do with that responsibility.

"D'you like blackberries? The cake is vanilla with buttercream frosting and blackberry filling. And I got iced tea or lemonade as well as the moonshine." He's eager to steer Steve toward one of the seats on the patio. If he's not staying long, best to make the most of however long he'll be there.

"It's amazin'," he says sheepishly of the new place. "I never owned any land before, and I never expected I'd have anything like this."

[alittlehinky]

"I'll definitely come to visit," he says. "Kinda hope I don't need any medical care for a while, but friends are always good t' have."

Aw, Celeste seems like a nice gal. "Um, well, moonshine is a kind of intoxicating drink? It's liquor, brewed from fermented grains and then distilled. I make it here--I'll show you the stills, if you want to see! But it's strong so you might wanna taste it first and see if you like it. If you ain't much for liquor you might want just a little mixed with some lemonade or coca-cola."

"The wine is dandelion wine," he says to Alma with a smile. "I made it. Hope that's a'ight. It's a little sweet."

"Yessir, if you'd help me, I'd appreciate it." He tells Mr. Slick. "Ladies, if you wanna sit down somewhere, we could bring you your drinks? Or you can help yourself to snacks."

[alittlehinky]

"I do! Forrest brought fried chicken. Don't eat the live chickens, I want 'em for eggs, and they're kind of pets, but Forrest makes a damn good fried chicken."

Funny how petting Bob feels just like petting an ordinary dog would. Fluffy and a little wiry, warm. Doggy.

"If you need a place to hide out, I got a cellar," he tells Bob, hoping it's an unnecessary offer, but meaning it. "C'mon up on the patio, and I'll put some chicken on a plate for you. Watch out for the bones. Dogs ain't supposed to eat chicken bones in case they stick in their throats."