Log; ongoing

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

When; Sunday, May 31st
Rating; As PG as PG can be
Characters; ann_withane, thefutureking, and whoever else wants to show up!
Summary; A very merry unbirthday to Anne! Come join her for a picnic in Xanadu.
Log; Anne looked upon her work and could not imagine anything more perfect than the reality.

The weather was gorgeous -- bright and warm, but with a deliciously cool breeze to keep the air from getting too hot. Colorfully patterned blankets were arranged on the grass, with baskets and plates of the most delicious foods and pitchers of water and lemonade. It had been a lot of work, getting everything together in such a short span of time, but Arthur and Merlin had shouldered most of the burden.

This was going to be perfect.

Comments

[thefutureking.livejournal.com]

Arthur was determined to enjoy Anne's party. He wasn't going to think about seeing Blair later or what that meant. It was remarkably easy for him to do that because around Anne it was easy for him to be happy.

Once everything was set up and ready, Arthur sought Anne out. "Happy belated birthday," he told her.

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne beamed at Arthur. "Thank you so much!" she said. "This is absolutely perfect. I couldn't imagine a more wonderful birthday even if I tried!" Good food, beautiful weather, and wonderful friends. What worldly riches could compare to that?

[thefutureking.livejournal.com]

"Well, perhaps next year we can have it on your actual birthday," Arthur said. Of course, now that he knew when that was, it would be easier to throw a party for her.

"Now, do you want your present now, or later?"

[mumbled_truth]

Todd was in a good mood today; not that he wasn't, usually, but he was really looking forward to Anne's party. He hadn't actually been to a birthday party, not having been very outspoken or popular most of his childhood, and being shipped off at one boarding school or another usually meant that his friends didn't even have parties.

He approached the blankets with a very thin gift in his hand, wrapped in a manner which suggested it had been executed very carefully but inexpertly, and offered Anne a wave and a warm smile.

[lionesssejant.livejournal.com]

The spread brings a smile to Susan's face. This is the best sort of way to spend a lovely spring day. Not only outside but among friends having a picnic. She and her siblings were lucky to know people who had the same kind of love for carefree times. Not all parties had to be glitz and finery.

She stepped carefully through the grass holding her basket so it wouldn't shake too roughly.

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

"I like having it in May!" Anne said. "March is far too fickle a month for birthdays."

Despite herself, Anne perked up at the word "present." "Now!" she said, then cut herself short, afraid she had come across as greedy. She had told everyone that the party was present enough, and really, it was. But she had secretly harbored a desire for other presents, something tangible she could hold. As mature as she tried to be, she was still a little materialistic. "I mean, you didn't have to get me anything."

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne was nibbling on some of Gwen's sandwiches when she saw Todd. The little sandwich fell from her hand as she jumped to her feet and rushed to meet him. "TODD! I'm so glad you could make it!"

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne was in heaven. Her sociable little soul delighted in the number of people who had shown up, and she flitted from person to person, eating, chattering, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

She saw Susan approach and waved enthusiastically. "Welcome to the party!"

[lionesssejant.livejournal.com]

Anne's smile is infectious. "Thank you. You couldn't have chose a better day, I think." Susan moves the basket in front of her and pauses to pick through it. "Where would you like your gift?" After she finds it.

[had_not_lived]

It was perhaps no surprise that Neil arrived shortly after his friend, a rather large box of assorted pastries in tow. It was fine weather for a picnic, and all things considered Neil was in high spirits, content to take a break from his myriad pursuits and celebrate.

"Happy birthday!" he called as he approached, coming up to stand with his friends.

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

"I think Mother Nature herself is celebrating," Anne agrees. "I'm glad. Arthur and Merlin put so much work into this picnic; it would have been tragic if the weather hadn't been fine."

"You brought me a gift?" she asks, surprised and pleased. Though she knows Arthur and Merlin are close with the Pevensies, she's never really gotten to know them herself. She hadn't expected them to bring anything but food.

....I'm an idiot. /somehow missed this was part of Todd thread

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

"Neil!" Anne exclaimed, turning from Todd with a happy bounce. "I'm so glad you could make it! What did you bring?" She peered at the box, curious. There were so many different foods!

[thefutureking.livejournal.com]

"Good, because I don't think we could have hidden it for very long," Arthur said, smiling.

He gave a sharp whistle from from just out of site a stable hand lead a pony up toward the main party. The man he had bought it from described it as a Welsh Pony, though to Arthur it merely looked like the ponies of Albion.

"Several of us went together and got you this," he said, smiling at her.

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne's jaw literally dropped. Never, even in her wildest imaginings, did she ever think anyone would ever get her a pony. A castle? Yes. Jewels and gowns? Of course. Those were standard fare for her whimsy. But a pony was entirely unexpected.

"He's beautiful," she breathed, a little shy of approaching. She had been on Arthur's horse a few times, but beyond that, her experience with horses was very limited. "Or is it a she?" She looked at Arthur, very concerned. It wouldn't do to get her pony's gender wrong!

ALL BETTER NOTHING TO SEE HERE MOVE ALONG FOLKS NO MORE BENDO TIME ANDU SPACE

[mumbled_truth]

Todd's smile widened when Anne approached. The gift was still safely in hand; he wasn't presenting her with it just yet. "Of course I made it... how could I even dream of not coming?"

He turned to Neil with a grin as his friend approached, craning his neck-- in a manner which was not nearly as subtle as he'd hoped-- to examine what the other boy had brought. He'd managed to catch a glimpse or two of the box's contents, sure, but he hadn't really had a good look at the haul yet.

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne flushed prettily. "I'm still glad," she said sweetly, and her eyes caught sight of the little gift in his hand. "What's that?" she asked.

[had_not_lived]

He answered that question-- and dealt with certain nosy poets' nosy nosiness-- by lowering the box with a flourish, to display a solid variety of one or two of just about everything the bakery had to offer-- little tarts, miniature cakes; puffy and flakey, chocolate-covered and cream-filled bits of unhealthy deliciousness. He hadn't been able to choose anything, so... he didn't.

"I didn't know what kind of cake you liked." He grinned.

ahaha we should probably figure out a posting order soon maybe idk

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne clasped her hands together. "They look positively scrumptious!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure everyone will love them!"

[thefutureking.livejournal.com]

It was good that Anne didn't ever voice her desire for a castle or jewels because he might had been forced to find a way to make it happen.

"It's a she," Arthur said, reaching out to pet the pony on the nose. "She still needs a name though, but she's yours."

POSTING ORDERS ARE FOR SISSIES or something idek

[had_not_lived]

"I hope so. Go ahead!" Pleased at her reaction, he offered the box to Anne, giving her first pick. As was only proper, it being her party and all.

YEAH idfk

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne gleefully studied the different pastries, finally deciding on a chocolatey concoction that ended up being filled with cream. She closed her eyes as she bit into it. "This is divine!" she breathed rapturously.

Oh my god it's the No Todds thread XD

[mumbled_truth]

Todd gave a tiny smile as Anne took note of the item in his hand, holding it more firmly.

"It's a surprise. You'll see."

Despite his curiosity about the pastries, Todd had no issues waiting for Anne to take hers, and gave a quiet laugh as she praised it.

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne hesitantly reached out to stroke the pony's nose, soon growing more confident. Such dear, gentle eyes! What a sweet looking expression!

"Elaine," Anne said decisively. "Her name is Elaine." While she certainly hoped that her sweet little pony would not meet Elaine's tragic fate, the pony seemed to exude an Elaine-like air. She could imagine the creature pining wistfully for an impossible love.

She turned around and embraced Arthur. "You are too good to me," she said.

we are allowed one (1) Todd! also sorry i am a spazz about remembering to tag sometimes, sobb

[had_not_lived]

Neil laughed at Anne's reaction, glad that his edible gift was a success. Her enthusiasm was always kind of infectious. He tilted the box towards Todd, since the other boy was clearly interested in the contents. And, well, it was a party. Share and share alike

The mention of surprises reminded him that they had Business to attend to, and he glanced around casually to make sure no one was too nearby, that no one would overhear them talking. (Though, not as casually and nonchalantly as he imagined he seemed; anyone watching him might have inferred, correctly, that Something Of Interest Was Up.)

But he had no intention of interrupting Todd any further. So, for the moment, still grinning like he was in the catbird seat, Neil waited.

but what if I want two? ;_;

[ann-withane.livejournal.com]

Anne gave Todd a pleading look. "I've never really liked surprises," she said. "Anticipating something is half the fun of it! Besides, the party has started already! What are you waiting for?"