hashtag_chocobro | The Apartment above the Photo Hut; Sunday Afternoon [02/11]

Prompto would be entirely honest; if there was anything a bit different going on in town, he was completely unaware of it, because he'd been singularly focused since pretty much Friday on getting things all ready and set up for Noctra's birthday party today. The decorations were an amalgamation of both puppy things and football things, with a both First Year Down! and Let's Pawty! balloons to really drive it home.

And, of course, the birthday girl herself was showing her appreciation for the theme, as well! Unfortunately, with her dad's excitement all morning in getting things up, she hadn't been able to nap like he was hoping she would, so he was holding his breath that the whole thing wouldn't make her too cranky or overwhelmed, but at least there was plenty to distract her in the meantime. Including a little help from Rain pulling in duty as Party Ruferee.

Then there was getting everything with the catering set out for the guests, which included your typical moddable game day fare, but especially puppy chow, mini hot dogs, and, of course pizza rolls! There were a puppy bowl birthday cake, even, with some vegan cupcake puppy players!

And, of course, near the entrance, there were plenty of party hats for anyone who wanted to claim their allegiance for Team Ruff or Team Fluff or just Team Noctra (he suspected those would be the most popular, really).

And for once, after everything was set up and copious amounts of pictures had been taken, Prompto actually wasn't feeling like he hadn't gone enough on the theme, and was feeling pretty good about this one, actually!

[[ open party is open! If you've ever talked to Prompto or Liz even once, you probably got an invitation. Heck, even if you've never talked to either of them, you could have ~mysteriously~ gotten one, too! Maybe it's your big destiny to meet your true love at a one-year-old's puppy bowl party, you don't know!! ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I see," Steven said, nodding because that description of Sphinxes did make sense. "I don't know that we did? Where and what definitely. I think a bit on what they're best for? Like some are better for healing, that sort of thing?"

"Perhaps we'll have to have tea some time and catch up," Liliana suggested, since a child's birthday was hardly the time to get into a place like Grixis. "It might be easier to do so in the Consortium? For ease of demonstrations, if necessary. I would also suggest my office hours, but I know Thursdays you're at the museum. But if Mondays aren't your preference, I'd be happy to open up the shop another day."

"I've class on Mondays," Steven said. Not that Liliana would have reason to know that, of course. No connection to her there at all. "Thursdays you're right about. Saturdays I'm often off island with Llewellyn. Are there days that work better for you besides those?"

None at all! Except for one time the crazy vampire lady had come and accused her of gentrification - and she hadn't actually figured out that was who it was!

"Wednesdays? Though not this week; Ignis and I have decided to extend our stay in Argentina until Wednesday afternoon."

"Oh that sounds lovely," Steven said. "Glad to hear you're enjoying yourselves. Or at least I assume you are, if you're staying longer. Yeah, Wednesday's all right. During the day, Llewellyn and I have date night Wednesday night. We'll be going ice skating this week."

So fewer bathing suits than Argentina, presumably.

Definitely fewer suits. Argentina was clearly the better choice.

"Oh, yes, a delightful time. It's a resort that specializes in wine and has a world-class chef besides, I don't think I could have found a better place for Ignis to visit than that."

Steven looked interested. "Wine? Might ask you for the recommendation then. Llewellyn loves wine. Is there a vineyard? Can you do tours?"

"Yes, to both," Liliana said brightly. "It's multiple vineyards, since they grow different grape varietals and, if you'd like, you can make your own small-batch wine. Choose the grapes, make the label, and they handle the rest for you - the fermentation, the aging, the bottling, the shipping, all that."

"Oh that's brilliant!" Steven said. "You'll have to tell me then. Llewellyn would love it I'm sure. I wonder if there's a version on our world?"

"The Vines of Mendoza," Liliana supplied. "And I was mentioning to Prompto perhaps having a small wine-tasting with dinner sometime after we get back and have recovered some. If Ignis has his way, we'll be leaving with every bottle of Malbec on the premises."

Steven patted himself down for his mobile and his glasses so he could make a note of the name. "That sounds wonderful. Wine's one of Llewellyn's favorite things. What he doesn't know about it isn't worth knowing, I think."

Steven then looked uncertain because he wasn't sure if perhaps there was an implied invitation in Liliana's comment or not, and he was horrible about guessing. He was also not particularly good at knowing what to say to make it seem as though he wasn't completely trying to guess if someone was inviting him somewhere. Especially since it was particularly awkward if they weren't.

"Well, if we end up hosting one, I'll have to make sure you and the Detective have invitations," Liliana said. "Prompto is possibly interested in learning about wine, so between Ignis and Detective Watts, he should be well-covered."

The look of abject relief on Steven's face was based on so much actual relief that Steven couldn't hide it to try to seem cool even if he wanted to. He of course would not have held it against Liliana if it had been meant to be a private event amongst Ignis and his friends. Steven just... had traumatic experiences with misunderstanding if he was invited somewhere is all. Knowing yes or no for certain was a gift.

"Brilliant," he said. "Wonderful. You'll have to let us know if there's anything we can bring, of course. Er - oh, are you going away during the break? We'll be taking holiday ourselves."

The segue in Steven's mind being when the event might happen. But Steven sometimes forgot to mention segues out loud.

"Oh, we haven't discussed it yet, but it seems likely," Liliana said, though she's clearly not connecting the dots between their previous topic and this one. "And I'm sure I'll let you know about bringing things when we've planned it out a bit more."

"Cheers," Steven said, relieved about that as well. "And for the invitation. All the invitations, really. You've been very kind. Hospitable."

He said the last one with a smile.

She still had absolutely no idea how this tied in with the school trip. "Well, darling, I don't know if I'd say kind, but I do love throwing a good party."

The segue made perfect sense to Steven so he wasn't aware it needed clarifying. This was the sort of headache one got with dealing with him at times.

"I would," Steven told her, also having no idea that kind might be the last word she'd use to describe herself. "You're always inviting people over, doing nice things. Good friend, really."

Liliana was tempted to make a couple of pithy comments about low standards, but...it suited her purpose to be thought otherwise, right? Marc had already proven that their alter-egos could be useful. It made more sense to encourage that misapprehension rather than demur.

"Well, I appreciate the sentiment, darling," she said instead. "I certainly enjoy entertaining company - especially if that comes with the promise of dinner and excellent wines."

The Apartment above the Photo Hut; Sunday Afternoon [02/11] - PuppyBowl Birthday Party!

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - PuppyBowl Birthday Party! - 02/11.