Fandom High Welcome Picnic, Front Lawn of the School, Saturday, All Day

[bigdamnprincipal]

Honestly, no was really surprised when they showed up to decorate the lawn of the school for this semester's picnic and found that the place was already decked out, but seeing things set up for a birthday party was a little unexpected.

If the numbered balloons and streamers didn't make it clear that this was a 21st birthday party, the copious amounts of alcohol on the drink table could provide a clue. Thankfully, there was plenty of food to go around, and balance out people's stomachs. Hopefully, this was all still welcoming, or at least a useful sign of things to come.

[OUR GAME IS OLD ENOUGH TO DRINK, Y'ALL! Happy birthday, Fandom! Happy fall semester! OCD-free, have at it!]

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[retired_queen]

Leda hadn't even been entirely confident this place still existed. But Portalocity had it listed and it seemed like a worthwhile stop on her "what now?" tour.

The nostalgia had hit hard the moment she stepped foot on the island and everything seemed more or less the way she remembered it. It was a little eerie, that.

She decided to try her luck up at the school, see if it was still open, see if they'd let a random Elf gawk and go "I used to live here!".

Lo and behold, there was a picnic laid out. "Well fuck me, the ancient traditions live."

She wondered who's birthday it was.

[thatwaslucky]

There weren't a ton of new people at these now, but Rey went anyway. It was a chance to see the people she knew, and also, free food.

The birthday party was new, and she was spending the whole time wondering who it was for as she found a seat at under a tree to people watch.

[stykera]

"I wasn't expecting a birthday party," Stark said. "Hello, Rey."

[thatwaslucky]

"Hi, Stark," she said with a smile. "Any idea what this is for?"

[stykera]

"None," Stark said with a shrug. "But I think I like it. It's cheerful."

And he hadn't even hit up the drinks table yet.

"It isn't a birthday that I know of."

[thatwaslucky]

"I like it. I haven't seen enough birthday parties so it's a nice change."

She had.

[sith_happened]

Anakin who rememebered, Gandalf, smiled at the drinks and picked up something pink and fruity because Rory couldn't make it today. He wandered around the park and thought back to his first days on the island and the unhinged, delightful friends he'd made then.

[rebelseekspizza]

"So I'm guessing it's the start of the semester," Dante said, conversationally.

He had recovered quickly from his unexpected arrival at the picnic, but he still needed to make sure this wasn't, like, Homecoming or something.

Or that he hadn't magically acquired a concussion.

[sith_happened]

Anakin nodded. "There aren't normally drinks, but I'm not upset about the new development."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Huh," Dante said, taking a glance in that direction again. "Guess I bring the party even when I'm not trying."

[stykera]

"Who has a birthday?" Stark asked. "Or did this just...happen?"

[sith_happened]

"It just happened," Anakin said, "but it might be the island's?"

[stykera]

"That makes as much sense as anything."

Which was to say it didn't make much sense but they were all used to that.

"Were we meant to bring gifts?"

[thatwaslucky]

"Do you know what the party's for?" Rey wondered. Surely he'd know!

[sith_happened]

"I think the island is throwing itself a party," Anakin said.

[thatwaslucky]

"I'll take it," she said. "I think it's done similar before?"

Not that she had been to any Waffle House pollen spin the bottle parties.

[rebelseekspizza]

One moment, there was nothing.

The next, a guy with white hair, wearing a red coat, appeared out of thin air. In literal thin air.

He landed on the lawn like a cat. Blinking.

"The fuck?"

[retired_queen]

Some things never change I guess.

"Not an uncommon reaction to this place, if I recall correctly." Leda said, raising her coffee in a toast.

[rebelseekspizza]

"More a reaction to the transportation," Dante said, righting himself. "Hey there."

[retired_queen]

"So, you expected to arrive here, but not a bit off the ground? And hello to you as well. I'm Leda."

[thatsmysword]

"I wonder what all the balloons are for," Henry said aloud as he wandered towards the food. "Is it a special occasion?"

He was not speaking to anyone but his dog, no.

[fears_no_one]

"It's free food day," Flint said, appearing from behind a tree.

[thatsmysword]

"Free food day isn't always balloon day," Henry pointed out, looking up. "Hullo, Flint."

[fears_no_one]

"The balloons are a nice touch," Flint admitted. "Not edible, but a nice touch."

[stykera]

Stark nearly always made an appearance at these things. There was always the hope of seeing familiar faces. It was always interesting to see if there were new faces. And there was so much food.

That it was suddenly a birthday was a bit confusing but this was an odd place and far stranger things had happened than balloons and streamers.