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]

Cricket's eyes get very wide as the spontaneously-growing flower unfolds in front of his eyes. So much of what he runs into in the Nexus is nothing short of magical. He knows Pamela isn't some kind of dryad, but she may as well be the next best thing as far as he's concerned. Blushing like a sunrise, he takes the flower and threads it through the knit of his sweater so he can wear it on his collar. "You're too kind," he tells Pamela with a grin.

He laughs a little at Harley's enthusiasm and shakes his head. "I didn't make those, but I'll remember that for next time."

He starts to head toward the treeline at his easy pace, beckoning them after him. "They kinda run into the Wilds so I gotta be careful not to wander too far unarmed, but it's worth it. Some of the plants are just the same as in the mountains where I grew up."

[alittlehinky]

"Would Thing chickens give normal eggs, or would they be Thing eggs?" Cricket's brow creases. He would not want to find out firsthand, of course, because he knows how Kinner died milking a cow that was not a cow. It would be as awkward or worse to be devoured by a hen as he tried to collect eggs.

His expression clears a little as Bob explains he can't choke on the bones. That's all right thing. "So I reckon then it doesn't matter if I were to give you somethin' to eat that dogs couldn't normally, either? I know you ain't supposed to give 'em onions. Not sure why."

He puts a chicken thigh on a plate, along with half of one of the fluffy rolls Forrest brought, and sets the plate on the ground for him with a smile.

[alittlehinky]

Cricket will love Creedence, no question.

"A'ight," he says with a grin. "I'll listen to 'em and tell you which ones I like best. I been listening to a little of everything so far. Loki recommends me stuff and I don't always understand it but the beat's good."

Cricket has no cultural basis from which to appreciate Daft Punk, but he's so starry-eyed over Loki he was bound to take to it just from watching him listen. "And I found some stuff online I like, too. I could show you sometime, if you want."

Cricket blinks at the VHS. He does not have a VCR, but they can probably rent one somewhere in the Nexus. He breaks into a grin at the cover, though. "Robin Hood? Damn, Palmer, you brought me too many presents, but I'll sure look forward to watchin' it."

[alittlehinky]

"Well, any of your friends are welcome here," Cricket says conscientiously, although he's actually a bit wary of McReady. He seems like a good guy, but also potentially someone who might shoot first and ask later if confronted with a shapeshifter at the wrong moment. Cricket's in favor of no violence at all, if it can be helped.

"So you can tell McReady he's welcome to visit another time if he wants. On that note, though, uh..." He glances around and lowers his voice. "He don't know about Bob yet, right? How are we gonna handle that?"

Discussion of the fishing trip will be lighter and more fun and can come soon enough, but Cricket feels he should maybe bring up his concerns since they've got a moment.

[sweetcandygirl]

"You need to be armed?" Pamela asks softly as they follow Cricket.

"The Wilds is home to all sorts of predators Red..." Harley explains.

"Oh.... Do you have any protection from those predators coming to your home, Cricket?" Pamela looks a little worried.

"Whatcha thinking Red?" Harley looks at her friend.

"Oh... just a few protective plants. To help persuade predators from coming this way...." Pamela notes softly.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

Much of the cuteness factor of dressing up small animals is lost on Matt, it’s true. He can hear that little spring in Willie’s step though, the patter of little paws in grass, and it puts a smile on his face. She’s a lot better behaved than most of the pets he runs into these days.

The smile persists through Cricket’s accounting of previously-named plants. Just because it’s a little silly doesn’t mean it’s not endearing. “Did the other sunflowers get names, or just the one?”

There are enough engraved doves in Matt’s life that he hasn’t forgotten their shape, and he can see why the flower might remind Cricket of a bird. “Well whatever you pick, let me know,” he says with a chuckle.

[outpostcook]

Kinner nods in agreement. Next time there's a party, he's thinking of bringing Van Wall. The gruff chopper pilot could stand to have a day out. McReady might need more time.

"I've taken a few precautions ahead of time. I told Bob to avoid Mac if he sees him. I'm planning to break it to him when Bob's hidden - don't want anybody to jump to conclusions. He's not bad, but the only Thing we bumped into was a bad one. A friendly Thing might give him a shock."

He sighs. "But given the nature of this place, he's going to find out there's a Thing here eventually. I'm going to have to tell him."

[totallyadog]

You know, I'm not sure. I suspect they would hatch Thing eggs. We are perfect copies, and that means we can copy those organs, too. In either case, it's better that I not take any of your chickens. However, dead meat will do the same job for less risk.

Things can die, but they're harder to kill than the real versions of the creatures they pose as. Fire, strong acids, and electricity can kill a Thing, but they cannot be shot, stabbed, or poisoned fatally. They can assimilate toxins without being affected by them, simply shifteng into a form that would be unhurt.

Bob comes over and picks up the chicken thigh in his mouth. He swallows, but rather than digest food as a real dog would the chicken is simply absorbed directly into his body and refreshes his cells. Hm. This is pretty good.

[readvondaniken]

Palmer will be glad of that.

"Feel free to tell me what you like best, so I can pick out things that fit you in the future." He's curious when Loki's mentioned. "I made a deal with him - he's helping me out in my shop. Some of my weed's magic now."

Palmer beams when Cricket reveals that he likes Robin Hood. He'd searched the entire Nexus for that movie, so he's glad it got the result he was after. He's no expert on Disney movies, either - he's the guy to go to for information on science fiction. That's his field.

"I thought about it when we were talking about Disney movies back during that party we had with Kinner. Figured you'd like it."

[volurofthehearth]

"Don't feel bad if you don't like it. I'm not a big fan of wine either." And she's certain Viatorus forgets that not everyone has been raised to drink it. In fact, she highly suspects that he forgets there are other alcoholic drinks worth a second thought.

"You'd be surprised what I can handle. Brännvin is very popular in Sweden." With a wink she translates, "Vodka."

So her excitement is undimmed as she's brought to the drinks table, hungrily eyeing up the selection. Her fingers teeter at her lips as she tries to pick.

"Oh... I definitely want to try the dandelion wine, and the moonshine! I should start with the wine... Oh forget that, I'm too curious about the moonshine!"

[alittlehinky]

"I like everything!" he assures her with a grin. And he probably will, although he may end up dumping fruit in it or something. Highbrow, this boy is not.

He can't help but laugh at her reassurance she can handle the liquor. "Well, a'ight, if you like vodka you can probably handle the moonshine. It's about the same kinda strength."

Watching he look over the drinks, it occurs to Cricket that Runa is exactly the sort of girl Jack always made eyes at as they were growing up. Sweet to the core, but a little wild. "The white lightning's more burn than flavor," he tells her, pointing to one of the jars. "The apple's got a little sweetness to it. They're both pretty good with lemonade in 'em. Probably you could mix a taste of the wine in, too, actually, but I ain't tried that."

[alittlehinky]

"All of 'em," Cricket admits sheepishly. "She said to talk to 'em so I took up the habit and it kinda stuck. It was Alice, Wendy, Dorothy, Madeline, and Molly."

He sets the lily down on an empty space on the table and taps the edges of the trays. "I'll cut you a slice of cake whenever you want some, it's on the other table, but here--" clinkclink "is the fruit plate, and it's got blueberries in the center, strawberries at twelve o'clock, cantaloupe at three, grapes at six, and apples at nine."

"Over here--" clinktap "is the veggie tray, and there's carrots and celery mixed all up the left side, pickles and olives in the middle, and broccoli and cherry tomatoes on the right. There's hummus and pita chips about two steps to your right, too. And Forrest brought fried chicken and rolls, so I can fetch you any of that you might want."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket hums thoughtfully. "Well, you're right that you can't hide him, that's for sure."

He rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe...if we sort of prepare him a little? Introduce him to some of the other non-human people around? I mean, I guess I don't blame him for bein' jumpy about a Thing bein' around. I'm not sure we could do anything about it if Bob ever decided he didn't want to play nice after all, but that's the case with a lot of the folks around."

[alittlehinky]

"I definitely don't wanna eat Thing eggs," Cricket smirks, then looks thoughtful. "But after you eat fried chicken, you can be a chicken if you want to?"

He's not sure what the use of that would be, except for hiding, but it does present some interesting possibilities.

He just watches as Bob absorbs the meat. It's visually a little strange, when you're used to dogs crunching up whatever they're eating and dropping crumbs everywhere. Less messy this way, though.

[alittlehinky]

"...wait, you're tellin' me my Loki magicked your weed?" This is news to Cricket! It's not bad news or even all that surprising, just not a deal he was aware of.

"Well, damn, he should've brought me a sample," he smirks, not really meaning it. Cricket has no problem with other people doing whatever recreational substances they like. He'd be a hypocrite otherwise. But he tends to stick to what he knows.

Anyway, he's definitely going to be harassing Loki about this later.

"I'll have to find the equipment to play it," he says. "But I already like the look of it."

[alittlehinky]

"Well, I got storm shutters for when bad weather comes, and some modular bars for the windows and doors," he says. "Then the cellar has a double-layer door so I reckon it'd work as a panic room in a pinch. And I do have a shotgun and a couple revolvers, but I ain't lookin' to use 'em."

But he remembers the last Winter. He's not likely to forget any time soon. And he's taken some significant precautions to make sure he's prepared next time around. He clears his throat sheepishly. "And also, I got Loki to do some warding. The other one, the one that's with you," he tells Harley. "He said he'd do it for libations once a month, and I thought that was fair."

"I sure ain't sayin' no to plants, though," he smiles at Pamela. "It'd be fun to have 'em around, only if there's something I gotta do to take care of 'em you'd have to tell me."

[readvondaniken]

"That's right. He stopped by my shop and made that deal with me. Pretty nice of him, if you're asking me. I have a suspicion that magic weed's gonna help my business. Might even help me find some new customers." Palmer's sure magic weed will appeal to somebody out there.

"If you want a sample one of these days, all you gotta do is ask me." Palmer smiles. "Sometimes I worry I'm too generous for my line of work, but hey, you're my friend. You give me free moonshine, I give you free magic weed. But if you ain't interested, that's fine, too."

He nods. "It'd be my pleasure to watch it with you."

He might try some himself, depending on the effects. Some of them might be fun.

[totallyadog]

Bob answers Cricket's question by transforming from a dog into a chicken. We can use the DNA from whatever we eat. So yes, I can be a chicken now if I'd like to.

Chicken form isn't as combat-capable as dog form, but it could have its uses in spying or generally going unnoticed. No one feels threatened by a chicken. It's only a shame chickens can't fly.

This is the first new form I've picked up since I've come here. It's nice to be a different animal for a change. He flaps his wings slightly.

[sweetcandygirl]

"Ya sound really prepared Cricket." Harley smiled. She is glad that he is looking for ways to protect himself. It helps ease her nervousness of not being living in the same place as him anymore.

"There are two Loki?" Pam snorts slightly.

"He so nice... needs to be there twice." Harley winks. "Nah... The Loki that is dating Cricket is slightly different than the one that I introduced you to, Red."

"I could plant some protective hedges... ones that grow thicker, and produce thorns... when there is a threat perceived." Pamela suggests.

[middle_son]

"Hrrm. I'll keep't in mind. Need somebody full time again. Cricket's not easy t'replace." It's meant as a compliment, a high one indeed. He'll let the comment about a car that runs on moonshine pass, since he has a suspicion that particular idea was born out of an incident that nobody seems willing to tell him about directly.

[middle_son]

Jack and Howard have long teased Forrest about being an old woman, but he never seems overly bothered by the accusations. He's at home with his domestic side, and most content when he's cooking or doing the mending. Of course, he's equally at home doing carpentry or other more masculine chores, but since he got shot, his brothers tend to leave him out of the more strenuous work.

He's appraising the chicken coop with a professional eye, though. "Ain't seen that many diff'rent kinds since the fair." Franklin doesn't have one, but a few years, he's made the trip down to Rocky Mount for theirs. He's not disapproving of Cricket's selection, mind you, maybe even a little impressed.

[outpostcook]

Hiding Bob is possible, but likely wouldn't work forever. There needs to be a permanent fix, Kinner thinks.

"That's a good idea, showing him some friendly aliens. I don't think Mac's necessarily got an issue with aliens in general, but between the Thing and the Fallen he might be suspicious of them. He came here to help fight the Fallen, if he told you that. The reason he's not picking a fight is to respect the ceasefire, and we're outnumbered and outgunned besides. But he's on edge."

[readvondaniken]

"Yeah, he's been a very useful hand in the shop, I'll say. I'm not sure I'd be available full time - I've got my own shop to run - but you can call on me whenever you need a favor." Palmer's pretty confident he can tackle anything Forrest might ask him to do as a mechanic.

[juststeverogers]

Pushing on through weakness is something Steve doesn't know how to stop doing. Even now when he's more lost than he's ever been he can't be still. He doesn't feel like he's good enough anymore so he went and took up Sam's mantle instead. Whatever it takes to make a difference. And if it happens to enable Steve to stay firmly rooted in the past no matter how much others tell him to move on, well.

Steve certainly isn't going to admit it's a factor for doing the work he's doing.

"I had work off and on. Freelance jobs makin' signs or little comics for the papers. Was too weak to work down on the docks or any of the labor work that was available. Bedridden as many days as not." There's equal parts sadness and peace talking about the past. He's not quite as bad as he was. Steve stays in the present this time even though they're talking about days long since past.

It's a choice not to escape to those memories. One he's strong enough to make now.

"There's nothing wrong with flash if it makes you happy. I had a pretty nice apartment in DC for a couple of years. But even then, there wasn't a whole lot extra. If anything, most of the money I spent was on antiques. Things that reminded me of...well. Home." Fixing up the old radio he'd found had been a real treat. Long gone now, of course. "Thanks, pal."

For the cake and for the drink. There was a time Steve would have gotten embarrassed over being given such a large portion of food even if it's more in line to how he eats when he's alone. He's always hated how much energy it takes to fuel this body of his. Never quite gotten past how wasteful and greedy it feels for a kid who grew up during the Depression to eat the way he does. It's one more thing Steve just doesn't have in him to fret about anymore.

The cake's damn good, too.

"I hope you've had some of this yourself. It's a real treat."

[volurofthehearth]

"That's a blessing," she says with a wink. How much easier it is when you can enjoy everything you try. She'll have to bring more alcohol over for him to taste.

Perhaps boasting that she can handle vodka is a bad idea. The people here might have met her before, or even know her well, but they've never seen her drinking before. She makes a mental note not to go mad and unleash too much of a wild side on Cricket's lovely new home.

Still, seeing the spread on offer... That may be a more difficult task then she thinks.

She wrinkles her nose up playfully at the thought of wine and moonshine, but grins all the while. "Apple sounds good," she says and helps herself to some. As she sorts herself out she glances over to him. "Have you been keeping your own drink topped up?"