Happy, Happy Birthday

[fredless]

Who: Fred, Elektra and YOU
What: Elektra's Birthday
When: Monday Night
Where: Caritas
Rating: How much trouble can they really get into?

Her head had been especially busy of late, taking a bit of a double blow with Charles and Vivian both leaving. Especially Charles. He'd been making plans. Getting a place in town. Moving in with Vivian. It all felt especially abrupt and Fred couldn't help but wonder if she'd made the best of the time they had. Thoughts like that always seemed to bring Fred to the kitchen. And at least, this particular instance, there was a particular project she could focus her efforts on.

Elektra's birthday.

Fred was fairly certain if she'd attempted to openly make plans with the other woman, they would have been brushed aside. Which left her with no other option than the surprise, a small get together with her friends in Caritas. As far a Elektra knew, Fred just wanted some company after Gunn's departure. What really waited for her was balloons, streamers and a three-tiered cake. (Those were very busy thoughts to counter). The smallest of katanas sat next to it -- no bigger than a letter opener really -- ready to cut chocolate topped with butter cream into manageable slices.

Comments

Pre Elektra Arivial/Mingling

[fredless]

SURPRISE!

[fredless]

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra spent the whole walk over trying to work out how to comfort Fred about the loss of another friend. Since comfort wasn't her strong point it wasn't going well.

The date was pretty irrelevant to her. Elektra hadn't celebrated her birthday in years. She had no reason to change her mind about it now.

So right about the point when she walks in and notices all this expect some genuine surprise out of her.]

[fredless]

[Fred catches her friend's gaze with a tilted smile]

...surprise?

Gift Table

[fredless]

[forgedinbattle]

[And Xena will just be dropping off a package with some very finely decorated, well balanced knives here. Weapons make the best gifts, okay?]

Bar

[fredless]

Re: Bar

[succubitch]

[Lilah doesn't know Elektra that well, but Fred is her best friend, and this party was important to her. Which is why she's hanging out at the bar, nursing a glass of scotch at the moment.]

[fredless]

[Fred moves to sit close to Lilah at the bar, pausing to order a drink]

Want me to introduce you around? It's only now occurring to me just how much a chore this might be.

After Elektra Arrivial/More Mingling

[fredless]

[forgedinbattle]

[And Xena will just be standing awkwardly off to the side. She's honestly not much good at these things. But Elektra is like a sister, so she couldn't not come.

Come bother the awkward warrior princess?]

[likethetragedy]

[Happily. Elektra makes her way over to Xena and smiles.] She even roped you into this.

[likethetragedy]

[Even if Elektra hadn't asked for a party (which is kind of the point of a surprise party), she's not ungrateful. She'll mingle with everyone and wonder just how she got herself into this.]

[spongetastic]

[Peter spots her and walks up to her, tapping her on the shoulder]

Having fun yet?

[kungfuwitch]

[Sorry, girl, you're getting a hug from a very happy witch]

Happy birthday!

[demonologist]

[Wes spies the birthday girl and comes forward to wish her congratulations. He won't be offering an awkward hug, so she can relax on that score. Have a very warm, genuine smile, though. Even if there's a slight strain around the eyes.]

Many happy returns.

[yeahihidmypants]

[He's late. It's not his fault that his girlfriend and good friend shared a birthday. Why didn't anyone coordinate these things? Either way, he's here now. Late. Still here though.]

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra is definitely raising an eyebrow in his direction once he arrives. She's not offended he came late. She just finds it curious.]

What took you?

[yeahihidmypants]

Traffic was horrible. [He teases.] It's Max's birthday too. I made an appearance there and then managed to get here since I knew I'd spend the most time here.

[demonologist]

Wes has tried not to hover around Fred too much. She's had the party to prepare for and now host. She's been understandably busy. But he's also heard the news earlier in the day about Charles and Vivian both being sent home. So, he's kept an eye on her from a distance, knowing that despite her outward appearance to the contrary, she has to be quite devastated about the double loss. He, himself, has been having trouble processing the fact that two more of the people closest to him are gone.

When he sees Fred heading down to the basement, presumably to fetch stock they're getting low on, Wes decides to take the opportunity check in with her, away from prying eyes.]

Need a hand?

[fredless]

[Realizing that they are getting low on one of the more popular choices for beer, Fred didn't hesitate to volunteer herself to go down to the basement and fetch more. Which she's pleased that Elektra's party is going so well, and that her friend was clearly enjoying herself? She needed to breathe. She's not fully prepared for how intense the relief feels that washed over her with the cool, damp air...

It just isn't right.

She's so lost in her own head that Fred didn't realize Wesley had followed after her. At the sound of his voice she nearly drops the case she'd only just reached for]

[demonologist]

[He rushes forward to help her. The cases are quite heavy, after all. He frowns slightly with concern.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

ota

[howruthless]

[Tess came because it was Elektra's party, but she doesn't really know anyone there beyond the birthday girl and Oliver. Still, she's not opposed to meeting new people, when warranted.

She just hopes she doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.]

[likethetragedy]

[The birthday girl feels like she sticks out more than Tess. Hey, that won't stop her from saying hi to everyone and making her best effort to be social.]

Having fun?

[howruthless]

[glances over with a smile]

I am. Happy birthday.