CLOSED | Dylan's 15th Birthday

[codicies]

Who: Dylan Brock codicies, his housemates, and those invited to the party — which is pretty much everyone he's had a positive interaction with.
What: Dylan's 15th birthday party, a bonfire cookout!
When: October 8
Where: Home of Diana Prince in Little Love, KS
Content Warnings: none (but will label things if asked)

Dylan's 15th Birthday Bonfire

Toplevel Prompts:

SETUP

(CLOSED to Dylan's housemates & anyone who might have showed up early to help prep)

Setting up for the party beforehand.

FOOD

Autumn has set in. The daytime is cool, the evenings are chilly, and there's a bonfire roaring in one of Diana's fields. Dylan's been prepping food for the party all morning — There's sausages, s'more supplies, and shish kebabs stacked with meat & vegetables. There's even some sweet potatoes! He saw a video on Japanese street food and wanted to try cooking potatoes on the fire in foil.

As for drinks, of course water and soda are available, but he managed to borrow some coffee urns from a kind caterer in town in exchange for a little manual labor. Now he's got a great setup for hot coffee, hot chocolate, AND hot cider all evening!

There's also a VERY large sheet cake for serving later. He'd been offered a brain-shaped cake, but the pictures had been a little too realistic, and he didn't think he (or the guests) would find it all too appetizing.

Though he's a little afraid the brain cake is still coming out, whether he likes it or not, but the sheet cake will be what he uses to blow out the candles, thank you very much.

SWORDPLAY

One of the gifts Dylan received was a real-life sword from Diana! He's been taking lessons from her and is ready to try it out. There's a little clearing a little ways from the bonfire where he's trying it out. If you want, you can come and spar — with Dylan, with Diana, or even with each other. With swords, sticks, or even with fists!! Come join the impromptu Fight Club.

EDIT to add: there are real AND wooden swords available for sparring, as well as wooden & straw dummies to practice on as well!

GAME TIME

There are frisbees, a football, soccer balls, even a ninepin set?? Do you have these games in your world? There's all kinds of fun sports gear available. Or you could grab something at random and start a game of Calvinball.

FIRESIDE

With the daylight fading, the fire becomes the center of activity. As you roast marshmallows or weiners (or grab one of those potatoes out of the fire) everyone huddles around, seated on rocks, stumps or lawn chairs as we all sing songs and tell stories.

Any spooky tales from your homeworld? Any songs you'd like to sing? Dylan had gotten a few guitar lessons from Jaskier before he disappeared, so if you start singing, he'll try to follow along with chords!

FIREWORKS

oh my god who brought those. please don't set any crops on fire. EXTINGUISHERS ON STANDBY.

WILDCARD

Any Standard Bonfire Activities I've forgotten, go ahead and throw them in!

After-Party Sleepover

(CLOSED to Dylan's housemates + Nico, Will, Hunter, Hibiki, and Chris Yukine)

Six teenagers sleeping on couches & air mattresses in the living room, watching movies... what crimes will they commit?

Comments

diana prince | ota

[monomachy]

i. food

Ensuring there was enough food for the party had become something of a personal mission for Diana. She still longs for the grand feasts on Themyscira, sitting around a table or a fire with her sisters, sharing stories and drinks, and this seems as close to that as she can get right now. So she'll be moving to and from the kitchen of her ranch, bringing out trays of vegetables, meats, and various snackfoods to the field where the fire is. She helps herself as well, particularly the marshmallows for s'mores, which she holds out over the open flame to achieve the perfect golden-brown, crispy coating. There are more than a few times when she burns the 'mallow to a crips, but nothing goes to waste, and they just end up in her mouth instead of between some graham crackers and chocolate. Maybe she could use some tips.

ii. swordplay

When Dylan had asked her to teach him to swordfight, she had been absolutely delighted. It reminded her a little bit of when she had been a child, and all those times she had begged her mother to let her start her training. But he'd only needed to ask once--he is old enough, she thinks, to learn and have his own blade.

Having the ring set up at his birthday party seems like an equally good idea, though when the weapons, both steel and wood, are out, Diana watches everyone unerringly. Her eyes never leave the ring or the participants, and she circles the roped off area diligently. Live steel is only given to those who she knows are already skilled with a blade, or can prove to her they can handle it without accidentally stabbing themselves. She does not wear her armor, but her own sword and shield are kept atop a haybale nearby, and she's wearing her bracers, sleeves rolled up to leave them visible.

Go head, ask her to spar. She'll be thrilled.

iii. wildcard

[ooc; hit me up with anything! feel free to pm me or hit me up on plurk at watchet.]

[robintohood]

When Dylan and Sleeper invited him, Jason had been surprised and then thrilled to learn it was going to be at Diana Prince's home. He knew that with the multiverse at play, there was a chance she wasn't going to be the same Wonder Woman he knows back home but he still couldn't help but be a little excited. Though he's become cynical with most superheroes these days, Wonder Woman is an exception. He's always admired and highly respected her.

He's even more pleased once he gets to the party and sees everyone has a chance to practice some swordsmanship. A spar with Diana? It's almost a dream come true.

Doing his best to keep his excitement at a reasonable level, he smiles at Diana and picks up a wooden practice sword. Best to start easy first and see where he goes from there. For all he knows, she could have him flat on his back within ten seconds.

"Can I spar with you?" he asks politely.

[monomachy]

Diana is aware of the Batman and, at best, vaguely of those he calls his family. It had become abundantly clear upon her first meeting with Batman that he knew far more about her than she did about him, and the knowledge imbalance was difficult to ignore. Since then, she has learned bits and pieces about "herself" in other people's worlds, though none of it particularly bothers her. They are not the same person, so she does not let herself be bothered by what this other version of her may or may not have done.

At the moment, she's righting some hay-filled dummies that got knocked over during the last bout. Seeing Dylan and his friends so interested in the arts of battle warms her heart, and reminds her of the enthusiasm she held for it in her own youth. She turns towards the young man who has approached her, a smile on her lips even before she sees that he's already picked up a practice sword. She sizes him up briefly, from head-to-toe, and nods. Sadly, there isn't a flicker of recognition in her expression, but it's clear she's still pleased to see him.

"Of course." Diana lopes over to the rack holding the weapons, and selects one for herself. "Have you fought before?" She turns to face him again, and raises an eyebrow on her second look. "You look like you have."

[robintohood]

The lack of recognition doesn't bother Jason. He had steeled himself for that possibility. Given his current status with Bruce and the rest of the family, perhaps it's for the best for now. It's probably awkward talking to the black sheep of a friend's family. Besides, he's pleased that she can tell he's a fighter.

"Yeah, I have," he replies. "Mostly hand-to-hand though. I only just started learn how to use a sword."

[monomachy]

Diana starts towards the center of the makeshift ring, motioning for him to follow her. Even dressed casually as she is, there is no doubt that she is a warrior, from the way she walks to the ease with which she holds her wooden blade. It tracks that she could spot those qualities in someone else, even upon a first meeting.

When she turns to face him again, her smile warms. She spins the sword with one hand, bracer glinting in the afternoon sun. "Then today will be a good lesson for you." She takes her stance, allowing him the first move. She wants to see what level of skill he already has.

[robintohood]

Jason smiles back as he takes his stance, trying to have it similar to Diana's.

He knows he's still new to swordsmanship. The weight distribution and stances needed for a sword aren't the same as a combat knife. It's still an adjustment for him to make.

He takes a deep breath and then charges forward, aiming for a jab to her side.

[monomachy]

She can tell from the way he moves that he really is new to the sword. But that's alright--he at least seems to have some familiarity, when most people she's worked with today haven't held a weapon before at all.

He's quick on his feet, and there's force behind his swing. But the form isn't quite right--even if it was, she wouldn't have a problem dodging the blow, which she does with a quick side-step. Diana brings her own blade up in short arc, aiming for the center of his back.

[food]

[trustheart]

Chris has been eying this woman since she arrived. She's an impressive-looking person, so that's to be expected. She's not been doing it to unusual levels, to be fair, and mostly she just looks impressed.

Cue her surprise when she notices her eating a fully charred marshmallow.

"Oh hey," she said. "You need t'cook them evenly, you know? Don't just hold it over the fire till it gets burnt up, move it around till all sides are browned!"

[monomachy]

If Diana wasn't distracted by throwing her first party, she might have noticed someone staring at her on and off throughout the day. But as things stand, she's been preoccupied running the sparring ring and ensuring everyone has enough to eat and drink. Sitting down in front of this fire with the marshmallows is the first time she's stopped to... appreciate the day. It's been wonderful, an a celebration worthy of this family she's somehow become a part of.

The young woman snaps Diana out of her thoughts just in time to see that she's burned yet another marshmallow. She pulls it hastily out of the flames, and sighs. "I'm afraid cooking isn't my forte." Never mind that this isn't really cooking--but she doesn't sound embarrassed about that. She blows on the 'mallow to cool it briefly, and then eats it anyway. "Would you show me how?" It's a genuine question; she hasn't really watched how anyone else is doing it.

[trustheart]

Eh? This woman wants her to show her how? Well, if she insists...even if it's weird for her, an eighteen-year-old, to be teaching an adult something.

"Like this," she says, placing her own marshmallow over the fire. "Turn it over so it's lightly browned on all sides, slowly. Don't just hold it over the fire and let it burn the hell up."

[monomachy]

Diana doesn't seem at all bothered to have asked for help with this particular task; since arriving in this world, she's realized that there is far more she doesn't know how to do than even in her own world. It's been a little bit of a journey for her to overcome her stubbornness and ask for help, but she's made some progress.

After prepping another marshmallow on her own roasting stick, she watches the way the young woman moves her marshmallow continuously, and nods briefly before starting to copy her.

[trustheart]

Chris nodded, watching as the woman mirrored her own movements. "See now? You're getting it. It keeps the marshmallow from getting too burnt on one side. Just don't keep them in there too long, and wait till they're a sort'a golden brown!"

i

[doctopoda]

Shortly after arriving, Otto had gone to introduce himself to the hostess. It's only polite, after all. He's sent in the general direction of the kitchen, where he comes across Diana bringing out several trays - looks like there's even more in there. How much food did she make?

"Need a hand?" he offers. The actuators hover around him: look how many hands he's got!

[monomachy]

The only parts of this spread that Diana made are the parts that don't require any cooking at all--fresh fruits and vegetables, mostly. Luckily, there are plenty of people in Little Love who were all too happy to provide other options for the party, for either some help around their own farms or a small fee. Diana had been more than happy to provide either in order to make sure the food at Dylan's party was edible.

She looks up from concentrating on not dropping a few trays she's piled on her arms, and only keeps from flinging them away and raising her arms defensively by months spent living with Eddie and Venom, the latter of whom sometimes appeared as an extra appendage on the former. So not surprisingly, she isn't all that thrown off by seeing someone with multiple extra appendages.

For a brief moment, she eyes the actuators, assessing, and then a smile blooms across her lips. She dips her head towards the other trays sitting on the counter. "That would be wonderful! Anything you can grab can come out."

[doctopoda]

"Sure," Otto agrees with a smile. He's done his best not to appear too intimidating - he knows how he looks - but time and custom in this world have made him somewhat less self-conscious about it. At least, when he's among other metas.

The actuators are capable of more delicacy than their large claws would make them appear. They're also...well, he'll say this much for them, they're very dedicated. If he tells them not to let anything spill, they won't. So he picks up a few other trays with his actual hands, and allows them to scoop up the rest.

"I'm Otto," he introduces himself, as he turns to head after Diana towards the outside tables. "I came in from Excelsior."

[monomachy]

Diana's eyes track the appendages as they move for the platters and plates, and she can't help but be impressed with their precision. They look like some kind of advanced technology, like the sort Tony tinkers with now and then, but she knows that nothing like them exists in her own world--her own time.

After another moment, her eyes return to the man, and her smile grows as she bobs her head in greeting. "Welcome, Otto. I'm Diana. This is my home, as well as Eddie's and the boys'." She knows that Eddie keeps saying that they are only a temporary fixture, that they'll "get out of her hair" once they find a place for all of them, but she keeps reassuring him that they don't have to leave. In fact, she prefers having them on the ranch. It would be far too large a space for just her. "Come, let's get these outside and then have a bite ourselves."

[doctopoda]

Otto's grown used to people watching the actuators, particularly when they're all in motion like this. He tries not to use them so casually in public. But a gathering of other metas feels different, and Diana's gaze doesn't seem frightened or judgemental. It's fine.

"Lots of food," he comments, returning her smile. "Reminds me of some parties I had when I was a kid. Fewer sweet potatoes at those." Not that he minds, the sweet potato thing sounds interesting!

[monomachy]

She maneuvers around him and pushes the kitchen door open with one shoulder, striding through the house and out the sliding door into the yard where the food tables are set up. She doesn't seem to have a problem carrying as many platters as she is, either from their weight or balancing them. She continues speaking as they move towards the tables.

"People around here really like sweet potatoes." Probably because they're an autumnal root vegetable, and it's the middle of the season. "I wasn't sure what everyone would like, so I just got a little of everything." Once she sets her plates down, she turns towards him, suddenly looking a bit serious. "Would you say this is a good party? A typical one. It is the first one I've ever thrown, so I'd like some insight."

[sol_annoyance]

{OOC: I assumed Will would've introduced himself to Diana when he and Nico arrived, if that's okay! I can edit if not.}

Will's not a fighter by trade, but he's especially not a close-combat fighter. However, he's seen weapons similar to what Diana has on hand, and he can't help being curious about that. For now, this demigod keeps his curiosity in check since he does have a more important question to ask right this second.

"Ms. Prince? Would you mind if I helped as a medic? I've had training for that." Even if he's a guest, it's still polite to offer assistance. At least, that's what his mom drilled into him.

[monomachy]

[ooc; that works! sorry for the delay.]

Most of the people who have come by the ring today aren't fighters, but that doesn't seem to bother Diana at all. She's happy to give even the most basic instruction on any martial topic, both because it is her area of expertise and because it seems to bring joy to the party's attendees. Dylan should have a good birthday, which means all of his friends should, too.

Will's formality brings a smile to her face, and she bobs her head in assent. "A medic would be good to have on hand, just in case." She doesn't ask how much training he's had, or who his teacher was; she trusts that he wouldn't offer if he wasn't up to the task. "And please, just Diana."

II. I'm late but I brought Starbucks and swords?

[sixthdeadliest]

"You must be Diana. Dylan mentioned someone by that name was teaching him to wield swords, and you move like you know what you're doing around them."

Six had his hands in his pockets as he walked up to her. More out of politeness than anything else. Those were clearly her weapons, and he wasn't going to pick them up without good reason.

He did, however, look at them. "The steelwork is impressive. You found a real blacksmith?"

two things i enjoy!

[monomachy]

Diana turns as she's addressed, and a smile blooms across her lips. "I am Diana." She's a little amused that Dylan seems to have been telling everyone about this training ring, but doesn't seem to mind at all. She's just glad he seems to be having a good time.

After setting down the wooden practice sword she'd been inspecting, she moves towards where the live steel is kept, and nods. "I have met a few people who work in the craft since I've been here." She had been lucky to arrive with her own weapons and armor, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need backups. "

[sixthdeadliest]

"The name's 'Six'," Six introduced himself.

Really, was she surprised that Dylan was telling everyone about it? The kid seemed excited about the training.

"It's a dying art." He gestured to one of the weapons. "Do you mind if I take a closer look?"

[monomachy]

"It's good to meet you, Six." The sentiment is sincere, simple. She really is glad to meet all of Dylan's friends.

With her own weapon and shield separated from the others on the other side of the ring, she doesn't have a problem letting him peruse the steel. So she nods, extending an arm in welcome. "Please, do. And I wouldn't say a dying art. Just no longer widely-taught, unfortunately." One of the many things about this world and time that were, to put it gently, a disappointment.

Going to assume these are in a similar style to Diana's sword.

[sixthdeadliest]

Six picked up one of the swords, studying it carefully. He knew how to wield such a weapon, and it was obvious, but he just wasn't used to double-edged swords. Even his magna blades had a blunt side to their blades.

"A lot of people would consider that to mean it was dying out," he pointed out.

After all, each generation would have fewer people to want to learn and, by extension, to teach the next.