IC inbox!

[fourthsaken]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, JADED. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 005.04.008.13 *** CHARACTER NAME/ALIAS has joined 005.04.008.13 <JADED> hey, you've reached Jade. <JADED> leave a message or whatever and i'll get back to you. <JADED> God, I hope this shitty thing actually works.

Comments

[facings]

[As soon as he sees her in the doorway, black tendrils swaying back and forth like a cat's tail, he realizes his mistake.]

Christ, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. Come on, just- it's alright, I promise, it's nothing bad. I just need yer help with something.

[He smiles at her, walking closer and peeking out of the open door, mostly to check the way is clear, that there's no way Enjolras can overhear them. When he's certain, he pushes the door closed and turns to Jade.]

I thought we should have a welcome back party for Enjolras. And I thought... would you help me to arrange it?

[fourthsaken]

[Jade visibly relaxes, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding since she got Kieren's message. She grins, elbowing him lightly.]

Oh my God, why didn't you say that earlier? I've been freaking out all day. Yeah, of course I'll help. This is the best idea.

[facings]

[He grins back, managing to look at least somewhat sheepish.]

Alright, I'm sorry for freaking you out! But- he could have overheard us, and I really want to surprise him. He went to all the trouble with the party and always arranges the meetings, just... wouldn't it be nice to have something arranged just for him?

[fourthsaken]

[Jade laughs, waving a hand. She's not really mad. How could she be when they have a party for Enjolras to plan?]

It's okay. I'm, uh, so used to bad news I kinda overreacted. And yeah, it's a good idea, but we can't make it just about him or he'll get all weird. Remember how he didn't even want a birthday party? It should be about the store and him.

[facings]

... yeah. I guess we all are.

[Used to bad news rather than something good for once.] That's true... he would appreciate it more like that. [This just proves it was the right idea, to ask Jade for help with this.]

We could combine it with the meeting, but I'm not sure he'd like that, either. Knowing him, he'd just feel like he's taking away from the real purpose of it. Maybe... a separate one, on the day before, or after the meeting?

[fourthsaken]

Oh God, don't do it at the meeting. He'll just work the whole time and that's so not the point.

[Jade pauses, thinking. It shouldn't be this hard to get someone to enjoy a party.]

I think after would be better. Because then he won't be stressing about the meeting or worried we're taking time away from that.

[facings]

He would, wouldn't he...

[His voice holds some amusement -- not thinking he'd do the same himself, really.]

Yeah... that's true. And then we'll already have everyone in the store, too, all the employees who we'd want to be present for the party.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade nods, and then suddenly she's grinning, as inspiration strikes.]

Dude, we should make flower crowns.

[facings]

[His initial surprise at the suggestion turns into something like delight mixed with appreciation -- why didn't he think of that?]

We should. It'll be fun... and he'll like it, too. Not that everyone will agree to wear them... can you imagine Jason in one?

[fourthsaken]

[Jade keeps her composure for about five seconds before she can't help but laugh. It's not impossible to imagine Jason wearing a flower crown, though it's impossible to imagine him happily wearing one, and the image of the cranky manticore in one is frankly hilarious to her.]

He'd never wear it. Unless he was a cat. He's a lot nicer when he's a cat.

[facings]

Yeh, I agree. He's definitely a lot nicer like that.

[He echoes that laughter, ducking his head slightly, grinning -- the image of Jason as a cat, half-visible under a garland full of bright flowers is half ridiculous, half endearing, even if the manticore himself would hardly feel the same.]

Do you think we should invite others than the store employees?

[He isn't sure, but knows Enjolras is well-liked, and more importantly, well-known among the Changed... but maybe it'd be better, to keep it small. Familial.]

[fourthsaken]

[Jade nods after a slight pause. She doesn't know Enjolras' other friends well, some of them she's sure she doesn't know at all, but they must have missed their friend just as much as she missed him. She wouldn't want to leave them out.]

Yeah. Yeah, they'd want to be there too.