2020-02-29 - Hyaversary!

Vyv is not in the same black-and-white mode as the staff; instead he's in a peacock-blue three-piece suit, the matte wool helping to tone down the effect of the intense colour, with a tie of golden silk apparently hand-painted with large, tumbling blue feathers. Seen up close, the creamy shirt beneath these resolves into a pattern of tiny golden- and blue-tinted paisley shapes on white. A white-trimmed pocket square sprouts from the breast pocket, arranged so that the points create three neat layers, the shades shifting from the pale gold of the shirt pattern in the back to the deep gold of the tie in the front, by way of a middle shade in between. Brown suede chelsea boots peek from beneath the trousers, and now and then a movement may reveal his slim, leather-banded watch, or the antique gold stirrup cufflinks set with a line of citrines that also gradiate from pale to deeply golden.

And currently, he's doing his absolute best to make bustling about making sure everything is properly set up look graceful, and so far pulling it off reasonably well. The young blond man he's currently critiquing is very, very pretty and very, very much holding the plate of tiny quiches at an angle that physics says is not going to go well for him in the near future, and therefore very, very much getting the position of his wrist and arm bodily adjusted. "--law of gravity has not been suspended for the occasion, no matter what you may have heard about leap days and legality," he's remarking crisply, as a dark-haired young woman of about the same age gives the blond a look of mingled sympathy and exasperation from a few feet away. Her tray is perfectly level.

This is Hyacinth Addington's birthday, so accordingly August has come in a suit; specifically a plum-colored three piece with a silver-lavender shirt and silver-embroidered, lavender tie. He looks a bit tired and moves like he's sore, though for all that the promise of a party and a nice evening with Eleanor and their friends has him in better spirits.

He arrives on Eleanor's arm, blinks at the set up. "Damn, Vidal sure knows how to throw a party," he murmurs to Eleanor.

Yes, they'd actually brought in a piano, and therefore someone had to be playing it. Gentle melodies are coaxed by one roundish latino, Rekani actually seeming pretty well behaved and smartly dressed for the occasion in an all-black collection of dress shirt, jacket, and slacks. Obviously, a boy his size wasn't fitting in the black and white ensemble the rest of the staff were on short notice, but he fit in to the background well enough. What was he playing? Well, you'd have to really listen, as he was most definitely keeping the piano low and muted to allow conversation, and the tune seems pretty damn buried in flowery embellishment. He was smirking slightly as he played, seeming to enjoy the activity, paid or not.

Eleanor arrives with August, and her outfit compliments his suit. She's in a white sheathe dress that would fall to mid-thigh on an average height woman. But Ellie is anything but average height, so it's upper mid-thigh instead flashing about a mile of leg on the tall redhead. It has wide elbow-length sleeves that have a lily motif embroidered on them with dashes of plum, green, and gold . She's straightened her hair and accessorized with minimal jewelry, simple makeup, and gold sandals.

In her hand is an envelope for the birthday girl containing a spa gift card, because what else do you get a wealthy socialite with the kind of taste that is way beyond your budget? She smiles at August, smoothing the lapel of his suit with one slender hand and grins. "I expect nothing less from him, or Hyacinth."

Atli arrives wearing a pale pink dress overlayed with black lace to three quarter sleeves. Shiny black stilettos clack against the flooring as she enters, a matching blush bag in hand. Her ears showcase simple black diamond studs. Curtains of angelic blond curls spill past her shoulders. In her arms is a mid sized garment box wrapped in matte black paper and adorned with a pristine white paper flower that is held in place with thin ribbons. She is timely, a perfectly straight white-toothed grin sparkling with positivity. Given the brightly colored guests she is almost understated, though she preferred to think of herself as classic. Blue eyes marvel at the bountiful affair.

She approaches the man in Peacock colors giving directions, assuming him to be in charge. Atli does not interrupt, but rather waits for his attention in order to place her gift in the correct place. Someone this put together obviously would have a designated space.

Justin is likewise in a suit ( https://iv1.lisimg.com/image/14026421/474full-chris-wood.jpg ) for Hyacinth's party and stands amidst the other party-goers, having obtained a bit of pasty hors d'oeuvre of his own to nibble on and a glass of something to sip. He looks more like the magazine covers that he sometimes appears on tonight than usual, but then, it's a special occasion that warrants it. He offers a smile to those he recognizes but otherwise seems content to remain off to one side to watch the proceedings for now.

It's pretty a fancy party for a pretty fancy Addington. Katy is definitely not this type of Addington but it doesn't mean she won't attempt to dress the part. In a deep dark purple halter cocktail dress and some black knee high stiletto boots, and a black clutch. She's holding an expensive bottle of champagne, something worthy of Hyancinth, at least she figures that's what it is. She was simply taking the advice of the wine expert at the liquor store. She also waits after Atli to be given directions to her own seat.

Itzhak is also in a suit! Sleek black, with a fashionable floral tie and pocket square, in a sort of bid for hoping it'll be spring sooner or later. (He's learning how to be a real Pacific Northwesterner.) Even he wouldn't dare show up at Hya Addington's birthday soiree in anything less. However, he's late, which is weird for a guy who's obsessively on-time. The reason is pretty obvious, when he finally limps in: he's accessorized with a full leg brace and a crutch. He's dragging himself along like a gondolier with a pole. The tall lanky guy looks exhausted, too, with big dark circles around his eyes. But here he is because he refused to not come (and probably fought with several people over it).

Having been keeping a low profile lately, Erin wouldn't miss out on her cousins birthday for anything and so she'd donned one of her most expensive and least worn outfits, a cyan colored dress sporting a designer name that could only be purchased on Rodeo Drive. Her shoes were strappy and brilliantly sparkly from the diamond (looking?) gems along the straps and heel. Her dark hair is brushed up in a romantic style with a few curling strands dangling around her features. With a diamond encrusted clip in her hair, that is all the jewelry and decoration she needs to complete the ensemble. In her hand is a gift bag from Creed, a perfumery and fragrance shop also from Rodeo Drive. The bag contains a special blend created just for Hyacinth with an atomizer and a card stating the scent has been created for her and vaulted after.

While she waits, she murmurs to Katy with a smile. "You look lovely," she offers, though listening to the directions to be given where to put the gifts. So many familiar faces, she offers warm smiles to August, Vyv and Eleanor, the other faces she sees first.

August spares a glance for the piano once he's put together enough of the song to recognize it, does a solid double-take. He stares at Rekani for a handful of seconds, realizes he is, shakes himself out. Oh, Eleanor's saying something! Excellent, now he can focus on literally anything other than the memories of that particularly ugly scenario in East Dregs. "Yeah, I guess that's true." He shifts closer to Eleanor, reassuring himself that hey, that's over. We're here to have a nice time, not think about horrible shit.

He eyes Itzhak as he comes in limping. Sheer force of will alone is why that leg hasn't been healed. (And the yelling which would ensue. But mostly willpower.) A smile for Erin, Vyv, and Justin, and curious glances among those he doesn't know.

Ellie moves to set the card on the gift table or wherever it belongs, and she gives Erin a little wave and Vyv a smile. "Everything looks beautiful," she notes to the shop owner. She sees Itzhak when August does and both brows go up. "Do we need to take him out back into the alley and hold him down for healing?" she murmurs to her date. She does give the lanky man a smile and a wave though.

Katy smiles in response to Erin as she says, "You look fantastic too!" She looks around and while she doesn't know anyone in the crowd, Katy still smiles at anyone who would look in her direction. "I wasn't expecting to see you tonight, Erin, we should totally catch up sometime. You should come over to my place."

It's not every day a grown woman finally gets to turn 9. It is, though for Hyacinth Yvonne Addington who shows with Justin in for this in black chiffon over white satin swinglinevintage chic, her leg of note being the white wood swirl that matches some of the classic banister spindles she's been responsible for.

"Vyv," Thankfully she does not call him Vivi in public, "It's... perfect!" A giddy Hya is a happy populace. Let it be said. Hey, no one's ever accused her of being a terrible guest or a bad host. Parties she can do. Meetings? God help you. "Awww, this means so much to me. I'm so excited you could make it." She pauses and notes to Justin, "I'm glad I could." Likely he had something to do with helping keep her calendar clear. She pauses, looks to the waiter's tray and her head tilts slightly with, and ...back when it levels out. Oh good. Crisis averted.

"You think I'd miss your party? You think I'd let you miss your own party?" Justin asks Hyacinth with a curiously amused little smile. It's not really a question at all. He then says to Vyv, "Everything is, as always, perfect." The food, the decor, everything in its place. He fetches a drink from a passing tray, one that does not almost tip over, and offers it out to Hyacinth.

Rekani continues his quiet progression from tune to tune, allowing himself a brief interlude that sounds suspiciously familiar to one non-medical professional. Not giving much time for the listener to truly have time to process that, the music slowly rolls into another gentle composition, this time pulling from the actual request list. He breaks into a grin at this, as if something was amusing him greatly, his head ever so slightly turning back and forth as his eyes climb to the ceiling, then back to the keys. He missed August's stare, the DJ's... Well, the pianist's... attention solidly on his music.

Fashionably late. That's Patrick. It makes trouble on account of he's shacking up with someone who is NEVER LATE (Anne), but he's the one that drove them here, so she can just STFU and cope. They look nice, dressed appropriately and stuff, and Patrick bears flowers 'cause that's just his schtick. The bouquet is ridiculous, full of obnoxiously cheerful nosegays in a splash of pastels that clash entirely with Hyacinth's black-chiffon-over-white-satin getup. "...because it wasn't on my calendar," he's saying cheerfully to Anne while strolling in beneath the twinkly lights with his nose buried in flowers.

They'll get around to making appropriate overtures at Hyacinth sooner or later, but if there are cocktails in Patrick's system pretty quickly, he's gonna expire, so he spends his initial time at this soiree repeatedly saying, "Hi," kissing cheeks, and asking, "Where are the drinks?"

No. There isn't the bravery to arrive themselves and represent. Arrived by courier, a pink Sweet Retreat cake box arrives sometime after festivities have gotten underway. Scribed in black marker on the twine enclosed box, a short note:

> On your special day we thought you deserved nothing short of the divine.

Inside, if one dares, a vanilla and chocolate ice cream cake with all of one candle holder. Pink, yellow and blue flowers frame a scripted "Happy Birthday".

Vyv steps back, eyeing the young man, who is now managing to keep things properly balanced, and who breaks into a brilliant smile when the chef gives him a 'yes, that will do' nod, though it takes him an extra beat to catch on that the following little swoop and bat of a hand means 'go wander among the hungry' and take a couple hurried steps to do so. The others have already moved off, quicker on the uptake.

Vyv sighs, shaking his head slightly, but the smile he has for the guests is small but genuine, and even fairly warm for most of them, as Vyv-smiles go, along with slight head-inclinations of greeting. Atli and Katy and anyone else clearly bearing gifts are directed toward a round table not far from the piano -- in fact, where it's rather set off when one looks that way, which may not be a coincidence. Seating appears to be where one wishes, among the chairs, though most are standing so far.

The little smile spreads to something that qualifies as unusually bright for him when the guest of honour approaches, and he steps in to give her those french-style not-quite-cheek-kisses in greeting. "Hya. I'm glad you approve; I'd hate to have to start over at this point. Happy birthday, darling. And thank you," which last appears to cover both her and Justin and Eleanor all at once. He looks quietly pleased with things thus far.

And then there's a... delivery. The man whose position tonight appears to be mainly making sure that people do actually have invitations and don't need to touch the door on their way in stares at the box when it arrives, and after some brief... debate with the courier, accepts it as though it might be a bomb. Checking and determining it's closer to a bombe does not make him look any less worried, and he hisses "Carmen!" toward the dark-haired, competent-seeming girl, who heads toward him. Don't worry, Patrick, there's still a handsome African-American dude wandering around with a tray full of glasses of wine. Not cocktails, but they're still a very pleasant alcohol-delivery device.

Tone matter-of-fact and prim, August says, "He said not to," in response to Eleanor. He snags a glass of wine from a passing tray, has a sip, because goddamn it's been a hell of a week. He watches the delivery arrive, curious about Vyv's reaction.

"This is unacceptable." Patrick foists the giant bouquet into Anne's keeping, and will be back in mere moments with gin. For himself. (He doesn't have "share with everyone" on his sheet, sry.)

"I know he's a tough guy, but that's just gonna get him run down by the bad things," Eleanor whispers to August quietly. She too claims a glass of wine off a passing tray and has a deep sip. There are a lot of people here, and her nerves are jangling a bit. She sticks close beside the plum-suited man,

Hyacinth flashes a small glittergloss smile back Justin's way, "No...but I might have." Everett wins a smile "Awww, heshouldn't have. You can, um, give that to one of the servers. Please let him know that is super appreciated." Now, the rounds!

First her host and those light green eyes light up leaning in offering cheek smoochies so she doesn't smudge nor mark, "Vyv, , luvvie, you are everything we do not deserve and are fortunate to have. Thank you for this. After all of...everything I really needed this thank you." Awww Team Rocket is having a moment.

Next: the cousins and Patrick is bolting. She says to Erin, Katy, and Atli and Anne, "Let me guess booze run or my brother is being held hostage in a garden by tiny tacky people and needs a rescue?" Looking back to the girls she smiles genuinely pleased the family is here and not because they were assigned to be. "Ladies, Justin, Justin my cousins Atli who works with me and this is Katy and I think you might know Erin. And this is Anne."

Then the Hunt Club(tm). on pivot she smiles to Eleanor noting the boys with her, "You got them to clean upo again. Twice in two months. Oh but I'm glad you all could make it given I know You've... had a lot going on." She's at least courteous about acknowledging it.

Taking Vyv's direction, Atli carefully places her gift on the rounded table, noting the odd music coming from the piano. While it is played well, it is not what Atli would consider appropriate. Her smile tips downward at the corners momentarily to show her disapproval to the pianist. This is only momentary when she notices Hyacinth's grand entrance, and Katy's placing of her own gift. To Katy she gives a warm "Hello!" before moving towards the guest of honor.

"You look ravishing dear! Happy Birthday! Judging from the fact I haven't seen you age a day in years, you will be the best looking one of us at the end of time." She gives a pleasant laugh. She smiles politely towards everyone else, greeting her relatives warmly and attempting not to give another small frown to Patrick. A glass of wine for herself is taken gracefully.

Erin smiles at Hyacinth when she walks in, but she doesn't try and gain her attention any at the moment. Instead, she remains close to Katy and looks around at the decor, the piano man and what's being served so far. Ad Hyacinth approaches, she smile brightly to her. "Happy Birthday," the smile holds a wealth of warmth for her before she dips her head to Justin. "It's nice to see you again." Once she moves to Eleanor, Erin takes a glass of the wine and sips while not taking any of the samples of food yet.

Itzhak smiles wearily, leans over to bestow a kiss upon Hya's cheek. Oh shit, he even shaved. "Happy birthday, Hya. Ya look fantastic." He doesn't seem to have brought anything except himself. The piano music's got his attention, not because it's weird or anything, because it's well played, and he is going to go over there and hassle the pianist.

Taking Erin's lead, Katy immediately chimes in. "Happy Birthday, Hiyacinth, I hope you're having a wonderful time." The blonde smiles at her cousin, trying her best not to look intimidated. She does not go for the kiss on the cheek but does do the quick hug.

No one can really argue that Rekani's playing wasn't at least practiced. The lack of sheet music before him at least told of that. As one piece slowly slides into the next, he finally seems settled enough to make a few short glances around, just in time to note Atli's faltering smile. If anything, this was encouragement, and damn, that boy's smirk was ever-present. Rekani's eyes also train on Itzhak as he's approached, head dipping gracefully, both in time with music, and in greeting.

"You look great, Hyacinth. Happy Birthday." August also leans in to give her a cheek kiss. "Who says Eleanor had to clean me up, I know very well how to clean up." He gives Eleanor a sidelong glance, settles his free hand at the small of her back. "She just talks me into doing it, is all." He watches Itzhak head over to the piano player. "Poor bastard, now he's gonna have to play and talk."

Ellie plants an air kiss against Hyacinth's cheek after August. "Happy Birthday, lovely lady! I hope you have a wonderful year." What are the chances of that in Gray Harbor? Slim to none, but she wishes it anyway. She gives a soft chuckle at the birthday girls' comment. "August does quite well dressing himself. I have no complaints. It's way more likely he'd want to burn some of my outfits."

When Hyacinth introduces him to Katy, Atli, Erin, and Anne Justin gives a dip of his head in greeting to all four of them and a warm smile. "A pleasure to meet you all, and to see you again," to Erin. "How have you been?" He gives a smile to Itzhak when he comes over as well to pay his respect to the birthday girl. He chuckles a little bit at the banter regarding August and his state of be-suitedness.

Itzhak claps Justin on the shoulder. "How's by ya. Takin' care of the lady, keep up the good work." He slides Hya a sly sideways look, almost like his usual self, teasing her. Then he limps over to the piano to slump on a chair nearby, upnodding to Rekani. "Don't lemme bother ya." Oh, August was wrong, he's going to let him play. "How long you been playing?" ...No, August was right.

"Eternally welcome," Vyv replies to Hyacinth, with about a sixth of a bow and a another briefly brighter smile. "And, of course, you look fabulous, though similarly the sun set in the west tonight."

The sudden departure of Patrick gets an arched brow, and despite what's probably the hopes of the staff, the arrival of the box is not missed. "...do excuse me one moment," he says, and steps over to check on this. It's tentatively opened for him, and the brow goes up again, this time with fairly clear disdain. "Mn. Pop it in the lunch fridge, I suppose," he says to the one who's been manning the door, "I believe we're mainly here now; you can do that and move to arranging the rest." A tiny pause. "Just keep an eye out to let her cousin back in if he returns, mm?" Turning, he heads back toward the general flow of guests; Trey and Carmen breathe a sigh of mild relief and get on with work.

Once the box has been suitably disposed of, Trey moves behind the counter, and the guy with the wine heads over to deposit the contents of his tray there as well. Now there appears to perhaps be other options, if one's so inclined, because some other bottles and glasses are coming out and getting neatly arranged. There's movement with the hors d'oeuvres that suggests that perhaps it's nearly time for the next round of Things to Eat, as well.

Hyacinth lets Vyv manage, well, the world. She asks Itzhak, "The musician, is he one of yours? You know him? I'm fond of this one as he's not killing us with the waiting odes of dead men." Decidedly NOT a Motzart girl, but Kesha on solo piano and some Dre she can support. To Justin, and now those that have gathered between sipping her drink, she follows with, "I was telling August and Eleanor how we're going to be tackling the remodel of your house. I am, honestly, super excited about this. It'll be a nice change to have a piece lived in instead of for tour and show." She pauses telling Atli in assurance, "Not that it won't, really, but you get where I'm going." She's a bedazzled craftsman, she loves what she does at least.

"Well, I am really glad we are in good company so if we have to relive that awful groundhog movie because Gray Harbor wants to mess with Leap Year we're prepared."

Numbers were hard when you had time, and notes, and any number of other mental processes needed to play the music that Rekani was. Thankfully, his next song was just as easy. "Ten years?" he wonders, then nods, smirking.

August almost chokes on his wine as Hyacinth basically informs Justin to his face that she's giving his house a makeover because how the hell do you even live in it. He clears his throat, nods. "A remodel's always a great idea," he says, voice strangled as he gets the wine in the right place.

"Doing well," Justin says to Itzhak when he clasps him on the shoulder. "What's new with you?" he asks. He nods then when Hyacinth brings up the remodel. "I'm looking forward to finally making it look a little less like a showroom and more like .. mine, I suppose." He explains, "The place was furnished and decorated when I bought it and I really haven't changed anything since moving in." He chuckles at August. Apparently he already knew the remodel was a thing, perhaps even a thing he asked her to help with. "And no, she didn't volun-tell me that it was happening. I asked."

Eleanor gently pats August on the back to keep him from choking on his wine. She just grins at Hyacinth because she's gotten used to how she is by now. "August's sister does some home remodeling and restoration. She's very talented."

Giving Erin an anxious glance, Katy simply whispers, "I feel so out of place here."

The two were definitely opposites! Remodel sent warning bells off in Atli's mind at the loss of history, of detailed labor whose performer was long gone...but she smiles politely regardless. Whatever Hyacinth was to do, it would surely be gorgeous if not a tad destructive. "Oh how lovely!" She adds, trying not to give any unwanted opinions. After all she was partial to Mozart, but it was not her celebration.

Vyv gives Rekani an approving look, even before Hyacinth's remark of mutual opinion. Clearly a good choice... so far, anyway. He takes a moment to direct Carmen and Daniel-the-blond to continue on into Phase Two, which seems to include both a wider variety of drinks (except you have to go ask for them, alas) and new trays of food: petit fours, various chocolates, little entremets, all decorated in a springy floral theme, quite a lot of them as hyacinths, because, well, of course. Macarons in a variety of floral-based flavours, though not, it must be noted, hyacinth flavour.

And, shortly after that all begins making the rounds, and in the moments that feel, or should feel, as though perhaps the cake proper is incoming... most of those assembled also feel something else. Anne, Erin, Justin, and the host are oblivious -- the latter is perhaps a bit distracted -- but August and the guest of honour herself get a slight sense of something being off; Katy and Atli are fairly sure something's just shifted sideways, and Eleanor, Itzhak, and Rekani are absolutely positive that narrative causality's just kicked in, somehow. They can feel it smirking over their shoulders. There HAD to be a mention of their location and its personal special relationship with reality...

Eleanor grabs August's arm tightly. "Something is here, something bad," she hisses to him, pulling him over towards where Itzhak is with Rekani, because the mechanic is injured and vulnerable.

"Sounds good." Itzhak isn't complimenting Rekani so much as he's just making a professional observation. Someone comes by to offer him nibbles, as it's obvious he's having a hard time walking, but he shakes his head. He accepts wine, though. Liquor and Vicodin is the best party mix. He's sipping it when that THING happens, something he can't describe, but he sure as hell can feel. "Jesus!" He jerks so hard the wine almost slops--no it doesn't. It's perfectly stable in the glass, weirdly, uncannily so. Then he's grappling for his crutch to get on his feet. "You guys hear that?"

Katy gives Erin a sideways glance as she feels something shift, and not only is she now socially uncomfortable, she is uncomfortable on a completely new level. "Erin, stay close please. I think something's about to happen."

Did Patrick return with gin just in time for shit to get weird? Awesome. Time to nope right the fuck back outta here.

"We need to leave," he tells Anne succinctly. A man of his word, he's out the door pretty much immediately afterward. But Anne is nicer (and also not the quickest on the uptake), so she puts the flowers down on a table or whatever on her way out, and - rest assured - spends the entire car-ride home berating him for being so rude.

Erin leans in to Katy with a smile, "You're not out of place, you're an Addington. No one should let you feel inferior without your permission." The words are spoken softly back to her with a bit of a steely look. "You are one of us, and she's just as much my family as she is yours." Apparently Erin is all finished feeling sorry for herself for things.

(TXT to Hyacinth) Patrick : Kiss kiss. Good luck.

August stills, eyes unfocused as he tries to follow that odd sensation. He losses the thread, and is going to ask Eleanor about it when she grabs his arm. He finishes his wine and deposits the glass as she directs him to Itzhak and Rekani. The later gets an awkward 'uh, hi' kind of look. "Yeah. Something going on..." He looks around the room, checking to see who else noticed, mutters under his breath, "If something happens to this suit I swear to God." Hey, there's Patrick, booking it with Anne. Well, August can't actually blame him, in fact maybe there's a window he can toss Itzhak out of...

"Don't even think about it Roen, I will beat you with this crutch!" Itzhak snaps, pointing the wine glass at August.

"If something happens to your suit, you can just put it back together again, remember?" Eleanor points out quietly, while her eyes move nonstop, looking for the source of whatever is off. Itzhak gets a LOOK, the sort the says 'stop your fussing, dammit!'.

"Thanks, man..." Rekani comments as he plays, taking the compliment from Itzhak for what it was. He was halfway through the opening to his next tune when the feeling sort of settles over him and he actually falters a bit. For just a few notes, picking it back up gently as his eyes peer around for whatever felt so weird. This means he spots August, "Oh hey! Lumberjack Jesus!" he chimes, seeming cheery, yet wary, the nervous sort of smile-through-your-teeth expression.

The juxtaposition of anxious foreboding on a cosmic level and a lovely display of delicate desserts causes Atli to tilt her head conspiratorially. She eyes the room to see if anyone else had felt the lack of consistency, covering it with a large sip of wine. Gliding toward the macaroons she selects a rose one and noshes delicately whilst eyeing the space.

Hyacinth gets that inkling. To her merit she does not hiss at it, but she does loop her hand through Justin's elbow and shift her weight to the fabricated side. She tells Eleanor, "It better not be carbs. I'm ignoring those today." She looks at her phone and boggles at everyone, "It's another Friday night in Gray Harbor. Oh joy." Looking to her phone she gets the text from Patrick on her watch but also notes in the time. To Justin she asks (actually asks!), "When the song changes over in a bit post-toast, save a dance for me, S'il vous plaît?" There's that smile warming, "I really really want one."

August's mouth flattens. "I've been trying not to do thst kind of thing." He rolls his eyes at Itzhak, a sort of 'I totally wasn't thinking anything except for how I totally was' expression more appropriate on someone half his age. He manages a wane smile for Rekani. "Hey kid." He's trying to decide if asking Rekani to never call him that again is going to just ensure it happens several more times, or if ignoring it is the way to make it stop. He goes with the later. "Just, ah...keep your eyes open. Hopefully it's nothing bad."

If Vyv's shop windows get broken, he will be decidedly miffed! The atmosphere in the shop shifts, gradually; it gets warmer, though not uncomfortably so. Almost as though all the flowers and festive finery had jogged the weather into deciding it didn't need those extra six weeks of winter after all. The blooms around the room seem to brighten up further, any mere buds beginning to unfurl. Vyv does not immediately notice that; what he does notice is people seeming uncomfortable, which is not the desired effect here. He pauses to look around and take things in, which is when things do begin to sink in. "No," he says quietly but sharply to a world that is not at all inclined to listen, "we are not doing this in my shop and Hyacinth's party." It makes no difference to the situation whatsoever.

The music Rekani's playing seems to pick up an invisible back-up orchestra, soft at first but swelling romantically as it goes, and there's a clatter as Carmen suddenly sets her tray of goodies down on the counter, and steps through the counter-gate to grab hold of Trey's hand, dropping to one knee and gazing dreamily up at him. He blinks and stares back like a deer in headlights, or possibly in the spotlight that seems to have decided to shine on them from nowhere.

Justin is oblivious to anything strange going on whatsoever. He makes note of the shift in food and obtains one or two little delicacies which he holds near enough to sample, but also to offer to Hyacinth to take from if she feels inclined. He raises a brow when others begin to comment on the strangeness. Though when Hyacinth asks about a dance, he smiles and says, "Of course. It would be my pleasure." Then he looks over toward Vyv when the man declares that no strangeness will occur in the shop today. "What's happening?" he asks Hyacinth then. "I don't.. see anything." But then the music swells and the flowers bloom and, "Oh."

If people were acting oddly, Erin was being pretty damn composed about it. She does take a look around though, especially to Vyv and then Hyacinth. Then of course August. He was very trusted. She asks him quietly. "What is going on? I know sometimes I.. miss things." She remembers the red wedding! Though she feels nothing, she remains curious about the murmurings of the others.

Honestly, the best way to ensure Rekani would call August something other than Lumberjack Jesus would be... you know... giving him anything else to call him. Like a name. But given the fact that the two had only met eachother twice now in places that were not exactly the perfect environment for gentle social graces, Rekani is forced to simply go on in the dark, "Yup." He answers simply, not really sure why he had picked the next song... But... Well, there it was. He continues to quietly sweep the area visually.

Visibly concerned about sudden feeling overcoming her, Katy remains pulled together, standing by Erin, following her whenever she'd go. She quietly waits, keeping herself alert while keeping an ear out for Erin in case she has something to say.

Oh August, Eleanor forgot to do an important piece of research, traditions of Leap Day, or Bachelor's Day as it is sometimes known. The day when a woman, instead of a man....

The redhead climbs up onto the piano to sprawl like a torch singer which is mighty dangerous due to the length of her dress. She reaches for one of August's hands, green eyes almost glowing with love and adoration. Honestly, they look at him that way a lot, so this might not seem wholly out of the ordinary except for her being on a piano and apparently about to sing. She gives Rekani a look like begging him to play along. And then she starts to sing a Brandi Carlisle song made famous on the Grey's Anatomy musical episode, God help you all.

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you

Welll... August likely won't be responding. Not with his love sprawled across the piano and singing that song. Erin looks at Katy with a grin, "It's about time they get married." But who's counting the months together right? She doesn't say much else, but watches things unfold.

Itzhak has had some pretty bad experiences recently with people acting not like themselves. So when flowers bloom and music swells and people start behaving oddly, he does not like it one bit. Ellie climbs the piano and Itzhak anxiously glances at August, a 'please control your girlfriend' look if ever there was one to grace a New Yorker's beaky face. But then she's singing. She's singing and--oh man, this might actually be worse than that time she was high on Veil pollen. Itzhak laughs, finally cottoning on, and waves at Rekani. "Keep playin', Maestro."

Katy hears Erin comment on Eleanor's singing and she sighs. "Of course. It's about time." She simply watches the redhead in awe. "I didn't know she could sing!"

What does Rekani do in all the weirdness? Well, shit, he matches pitch, because clearly, as a smile starts to spread across his face, something about this situation was just fucking funny. So there Eleanor goes, climbing up onto the piano he's playing, which... well, c'mon, he glances. Then he's looking over his shoulder at August with a lower lip out, shrugging. What ya gonna do?

OH there's lighting and now? Eleanor sprawled artfully on a piano singing odes to August, and a woman NOT serving alcohol. Clearly something is amiss or the booze are really really fantastic. Hya's arm tightens on his elbow casually. And she just watches Ellie and August with a blissful smile. Are there tiny hearts over hear head? Well it wouldn't be hard to imagine.

Hya's head tilts to rest sideways on Justin's shoulder content watching everyone be happy. it's a good thing right? (uh oh...) Taking a deep breath she casually mentions, "Justin, you know I've been thinking we have been dating on and off for fifteen or whatever years...and" (Oh NO) Standing up she turns to him, shoulders squared and sort of sober, "I realized losing like... two fifths of my family last year that we need to take a loot at our positive assets while they are i fruition. And now that I'm a...CEO of the lumbermill as of last Monday, aaaand we're talking of me starting up my own company...and I can use someone I trust who understands and actually appreciates me..." Oh Justin, Justin, Justin. Her other hand wraps around his arm Taking a deep breath she says with all the PDA Hya ever really has, "Justin Cooper would you consider being my life business partner?"

Yup that just happened.

Alcohol was a must. Erin takes a glass from the tray then takes another and offers one to Katy. A new vice for her. "Here, love, take this and drink it slowly. We will watch and see how this unfolds. Maybe it will become an engagement party.."

Taking the glass of wine from Erin, Katy nods. The new vice. This is it, a good time to pick it up. She mimics Erin's pace of drinking, paying special attention to the big spectacle Eleanor was making of herself. She really is a decent singer.

August is a botanist, flowers blooming randomly should be at worst, a curiosity, and at best, a positive thing. Not so here in Gray Harbor; like Erin he thinks of the wedding where he laid waste to St. Mary's and just about killed some Groomsmen for attacking Eleanor. He starts to respond along the lines of 'no idea', except, Eleanor is climbing up on the piano. "Ellie, what are you--"

She sprawls. He can't not stare at that.

"--doing...?"

She's singing. She's singing...a proposal song.

It takes him almost a full minute to process things. He takes a shaky breath, moves over to the piano so he can take her hands in his. "Oh sweetheart." He bends over, rests his forehead on hers and smiles, slow and soft. "Why are you doing it all in public like this, now I can't drag you off for a proper answer right here right now."

Eleanor just grins at August and his words, sitting up on the piano to run a hand through his hair as she continues her performance, sliding off to put her feet on the floor and move around him with eyes only for the handsome 'Lumberjack Jesus'.

I swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby, I broke them all for you
Oh, because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do, I was made for you

You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what I've been through
Like you do, and I was made for you

She closes out the song with another chorus, then drops to one knee, holding August's hands. "August Joseph Roen, will you do me the most incredible honor of marrying me?" she asks, plaintively, unshed tears glittering in her eyes.

Justin laughs a little bit when Hyacinth says they've been dating on and off for fifteen years. It's certainly true that they've dated off and on during the summers he's visited since they were in their late teens, but not quite fifteen years long. Though as that statement continues, and he notices Eleanor singing on the piano, his brows start to go up, and that look of amusement begins to turn toward concern, and then confusion as he isn't entirely certain what she just proposed, or if he just got proposed to. It takes him a moment, but then a flicker of a smile crosses his lips and he says, "I'm honored that you are considering a merger of that level of commitment with me. But I think it's something we should discuss in much greater detail, and in private, after your party, when all the details can be negotiated with the attention that they deserve." He does, however, take her hand and lifts it to his lips to place a kiss against her knuckles.

Itzhak sighs mostly in relief. Watching August and Ellie, and Justin and Hya, he's grinning. He salutes them with the wine glass. "Mazel Tov." He sits back down, clumsily careful. "Man. Of all the parties to show up stag." Sip.

Rekani absolutely plays perfect harmony to Eleanor's song, putting every ounce of his pianist skill into keeping it deep, meaningful, and yet, not too loud to drown out the woman. He draws the tune to a gentle close as she finishes the last words, a graceful lead off, and finally stops playing with the gentle tickle of the high notes. He knew a dramatic finite when he heard it.

August watches Eleanor the whole time, eyes bright. He's just barely not crying, right until she's kneeling down and saying his whole name, in front of God and everyone. He kneels down with her. "Oh, hon, I don't even have a ring for you. You sure you want a man without a ring?" He leans in to give her a sweet, light kiss. "But if you're sure you want a scarred up old gardener for a husband then I'm all yours."

Atli is skeptical of what is happening around her. One moment everything was all rose macaroons and then...only moments after the hard stuff came out, Eleanor was on top of the piano. One didn't just climb atop piano's, and most certainly did not propose at someone elses' celebration. The absolute nerve of the woman. She looks toward Hyacinth to see her reaction...only to find another strange occurrence, and his nerve to not immediately say yes. If people were going to be romantic, they could at least do so properly!

Atli takes a harder drink from one of the wait staff and watches Eleanor's continued performance in horror, edging towards the piano and taking a swig. She looks sternly to the pianist and speaks out of the corner of her mouth. "If you do not start playing Happy Birthday for Hyacinth Immediately, I will probably attempt to end your life when no one is looking."

Vyv looks decidedly nonplussed by everything going on around him -- first Carmen, who incidentally has definitely heretofore been the most competent and professional of his counterstaff, as she informs Trey that she's secretly always loved him and knows he feels the same, and will he make her the happiest woman in the world? And then Eleanor and that is a borrowed piano, ugh, but at least she isn't standing on it, and then-- Hyacinth?

He blinks at this several times, and then turns on Carmen just as Trey's squealing an excited acceptance, which is slightly too much to keep him speechless. "You don't even like him," he informs Carmen, this being a fact everyone in the shop except possibly Daniel and maybe Trey himself is aware of, adding archly to the latter, "and unless things have changed susbtantially--" He breaks off, shaking his head, a hand lifting to his temples to rub them as he looks toward the piano, ignoring the venomous look from the pair of employees, who have apparently got some joyous kissing to do. At least Eleanor's a rather decent singer. Making good use of that, yes, random unexplained spotlight she's got, her and August. Well. That's... that's going alright? Yes. That seems probaby good, even.

And then there's Hyacinth and Justin, his head tilting slightly as he watches to see what happens there. "Daniel," he says quietly to the gawking blond, "Go make sure Martin has the cake ready."

Eleanor rises to throw her arms around August and kiss him quite soundly, thoroughly, and lengthily. This is going to be incredibly awkward tomorrow. So. Incredibly. Awkward. Nothing like compelled romance that hits a little too close to actual wants.

Itzhak, meanwhile, can see no reason to not pull out his phone and start up an almighty big group chat about how Ellie proposed to Roen and Roen said yes. Blame the Vicodin and wine. He will, when he's sober and trying to explain this to August.

Like some sort of slowly geared doll, Rekani's eyes track from the happy, and... eager... couple, over to the voice that just threatened his life. Dark eyes sweep up to Atli's face, down her body, then back up again. The depth of that side-eye was staggering. He leans slightly with a smirk, whispering back, "People are having a moment, cariņa. You can drag me into a corner later." His eyes going back to the couple again, he lets out a cheery, latin whoop and claps.

Hyacinth watches. And... Justin Cooper is the smoothest damn man in four states. What he has in his back pocket is a lifetime of experience of dealing with big personalities and crazy ideas and how to be gracious in the strangest of circumstance. When he finishes and kisses her hand without a yes but a rational plan? Well, little seems to endear her more. That smile that hits her eyes is not manic, but truthful when she says, "I adore everything about you." That part... is actually true. Especially the part where he's reasonable and will do gymnastics as to not make her feel bad on her birthday. She only gets one every four years! She'll likely be more thankful tomorrow morning. This is not how one plans things. Leaning over she gives him a glossy smooch and hugs his elbow. watching August and Ellie. "I'm going to make them a matching plant stand. for the mud bench I did. It's a good wedding present." Crisis averted.

Katy is taking pictures on her phone as well, of Hyacinth, the beautiful birthday girl, with Justin with one hand, while holding her wine glass with the other.

Erin is taking no pictures, but she is sipping her drink and watching the happy couples. Which seems acceptable to her that others are happy. In fact, she seems to be happy about it. Another sip of her wine and she opts for one of the bite sized pieces of food on the trays, taking one and delighting in it while engagements happened.

August, not normally one to be particularly overwrought with the public kissing, doesn't hold back. He stops just short of sweeping Eleanor into his arms as they stand. (He's still a little sore and beaten up for that.) He spends a while staring at Eleanor, holding her hands, like some sort of love-struck teen. His attention finally shifts to Itzhak, and he rolls his eyes. "Are you texting the whole town about this already?"

"No," Itzhak lies. Swipe swipe swipe.

"And I you," Justin says to Hyacinth quietly in return. And that much is true, as well. He leans in against her as well when she leans against him as they both watch Eleanor and August. "That seems.. appropriate," he agrees with a little uptick of a smile, seeming to relax a little bit as they both settle back into their comfortable and cozy companionship. He brushes a kiss against Hyacinth's cheek and says quietly to her, "Happy Birthday. I do have something for you, but I didn't bring it here. I'll give it to you later this evening." It's as much of a reminder to himself not to forget as a reassurance that she will not go giftless on this, the night of her party.

Eleanor giggles girlishly and rests her head on August's shoulder. "That must have been some really good wine, I never thought I'd work up the guts for that," she murmurs, with a dazed smile on her face.

...and everything exhales. The flowers put in some extra effort and find a little brighter to bloom, the unexplained orchestra plays quiet joyfully romantic music to fill the pause while Rekani's being congratulatory instead, and the kitchen door opens, the light dimming slightly to enhance the glow of the candles (nine tall, 27 shorter) arranged in an asymmetrical but perfectly balanced design on a white-frosted cake draped in delicate, perfect sugar-paste hyacinth blooms, carried in by the aforesaid Martin. It's got a beautiful juxtaposition of sharp angles and 'natural' flowers, and when cut, is, of course, delicious. Because pastry chefs don't let their BFFs have less than perfect birthday cakes even if it takes all day. Or two!

Vyv looks to Rekani in a definite cue sort of way. Hopefully, he's not too busy dying to play the song.

Atli wanted to smile at whoever this was, smile and nod politely, and then get him fired from every job he could ever work in this town. Instead she gets a bit heated. Not only was someone taking all of the attention from her cousin, but this boy had just called her some sort of slang term and suggested she would desire to be with him in a corner. "My name is Atli Addington, and if you can't perform your job, I can."

She tries to control her temper, and fails, something akin to a sunburn would creep across the knuckles on Rekani's hands. Were he to jump back at all, she would start play playing Happy Birthday on the piano.

Katy puts her phone away and blinks at Atli's...behaviour, quickly reminded of why they hadn't clicked at the Addington House brunch. She rolls her eyes at Atli's direction then glances at Erin. "This is ridiculous," she mutters to her companion, "You would think that an Addington would carry themselves with a little more poise and composure."

And she would have to play it, because with a sharp intake of breath, he's pulling his hands back and shaking them visibly, teeth grabbing his lower lip as he bites back a clear F sound. His eyes snap to the blonde with all the anger of a singed animal. But... he waits. There is a show that's needed to be played. Atli can get all the way through the song, even. Until the piano key cover "magically" slams down over her fingers.

Itzhak takes a picture of that, too.

With all that is going on, Erin watches Atli and the pianist for a moment. Though she has her suspicions, she doesn't exactly confirm them, she doesn't even try for a read on it, leaving it to suspicion. The words of Katy bring her attention there, briefly, "Never be afraid to fight for something you believe in." The smile she gives is lopsided. "He insulted her, she's giving as good as she got. All is well in the Addington world, dear." God, she sounded like her grandmother.

Hyacinth is having the best damn little day. "Awww, don't worry, I will absolutely remind you." Pressies? Don't worry, Justin you will be joyously reminded. She smiles at Katy's words watching Atli. "Yeah we need more like her. Lookit her go! OH god!" Now the manicure is flapping, "Uhhh can you please tell your feral piano there's cake and to not eat my cousin's hands. She cares. She's trying to make a happy day happen because in six months Addingtons don't get those."

But cake. She looks at teh display and to Vyv and then to Justin, and then back to her bestie that make all this happen. "All of you are why I'm so happy to move back to our lovely, creepy little town. Just... From the bottom of my well-manicures and fashionably fabricated heart, thank you."

"If someone insulted me like that, I would have enough respect for the guest of honour to not make a scene in the middle of the party. There are better ways to make someone way for that kind of misstep." Katy shrugs as she looks up at where Hyacinth is standing with Justin, and when she finally finishes her wine, she decides to send a few texts.

Therefore 'Happy Birthday' is in fact played with the cake coming out! When the song finishes, despite the pain of the snapped key lid, she smiles at the Birthday Queen, withdrawing her injured fingers. She was so proud of her extremely organized and stylish cousin.

Look, one way or another we're getting a damn Happy Birthday song! This way is currently sufficient, even if Vyv does shoot a 'what is going on over there' look briefly in the piano's direction when there's an apparent switch from employee to guest. Well, if the cousin wants to play it and can, fine.

The glare Trey and Carmen get is less questioning and more instructive, and the latter coughs and adjusts her apron slightly to prompt the singing, her voice clear and light. The others join in -- even Vyv, in fact, and he gives Hyacinth a fleeting proper-sized smile for her thanks. Might have been less fleeting if not interrupted by voracious pianos. He glances that way, then back to Hyacinth. "And you make it far more bearable to stay. Now. Eat some cake."

The feelings of spring and general romance will likely last until after things clear out, later; it won't be until leap day's shifted into boring old every-year March 1st that the blooms begin to droop and the feelings begin to shift back to their more normal configurations. But until then, isn't it pleasant? All hungry pianos aside.

August is too busy being euphoric to really react to Rekani and Atli's developing, uh, situation. He does wince at the keyboard cover coming down. Oh! Cake. This is the best birthday party ever. He got proposed to, Hyacinth proposed a business merger (or something?) and the wine was really amazing. He kisses Eleanor on the neck. "We should do this more often."

"'Happy Birthday' sucks! At least play the Beatles one." Itzhak heckles the hell out of Atli. "Let the other guy get back on, he knows how to rock and roll."

Eleanor nibbles at August's ear as she murmurs to him, "Let's take our cake to go."

Justin is happy as long as Hyacinth is happy, and since she's doing the flappy-hands nail-drying action thing, he can tell that means she's happy, and he doesn't worry too much about what other drama is going on with the carnivorous piano. He sings along with the Happy Birthday song with enthusiasm, slipping an arm lightly around Hyacinth's waist and giving her a brief squeeze before releasing her to take a piece of cake and enjoy its deliciousness, waiting his turn for one as well -- for who could ever turn down some of Vyv's cake? Certainly not him. "Have some cake, and then I still owe you that dance."

Fingers still stinging like crazy... And red? Fuck, that hurt. Rekani moves his bulk into Atli's space at least enough to make her uncomfortable enough to leave... Hopefully... Then his fingers retake their place at the piano so he can put some real music to task.

It takes a while but eventually Katy gets her cake and she sighs, finding a place to sit to eat said cake whether Erin ends up. She's not about to lose the one person she's actually comfortable with in the crowd. Now that the fiasco is over with the piano, Katy relaxes. "Well that was interesting."

August leans into the nibbling. He can't even be mad about Itzhak's furious texting. The flowers may have ceased their effect, but he can't even tell. It's still singing in his veins. "Yes ma'am," he murmurs, takes Eleanor's hand.

Erin also gets some of the delicious looking cake and finds her way to where Katy is and has a seat beside her. "Nothing is ever dull when you get more than one Addington in a room. At least none of the sparks were thrown at each other this time." She settles in to eat the cake and drink the wine. "What did you get Hyacinth for her birthday?" Just making idle conversation now as the music plays and things settle down.

"The most expensive bottle of champagne I could find in Seattle, I wasn't really sure what else to get her and I figured, she'd appreciate it as long as it was expensive and worthy of a woman of her station." Katy shrugged. "What about you?"

Atli takes a piece of cake when there is one available, blowing kisses to the Addington ladies, despite how they may be received. She really needed to go get some ice for her fingers, but she at least wanted to appear as though everything was okay. Hyacinth was already pretty deep in admiration for the moment, so with her cake she follows one of Vyv's employees to the kitchen to cool her bruised hands. She did hope Hyacinth enjoyed her gift, and her special day.

Rekani would continue to champ it for the rest of his paid time, burnt hands or not. You best believe some cake probably comes floating over to him covertly if none is delivered as well. Finally, as the night, or at least his playing would come to a close, it only makes sense he plays just one last little tune likely everyone knows, and maybe even sings along with.

The wave from is reciprocated politely by Katy as she suggests to Erin, "You wanna go somewhere and catch up after this?"

Hyacinth has cake, and her people, and no one died or told her 'no' today. It's a banner birthday even if, well, her dad couldn't make it. She looks to Atli and warms a smile, "I love it when you play." Even if it's not Tik-Tok but hey, it's quality and it's because she cares. She finishes her small piece of cake (the starter piece) and when her eyes are done rolling in her head leads Justin to a clear space and tells Vyv, "This was magical. Thank you, and congratulations to the happy couple! Itzhak I want copies of those pictures. Text me!"

"That sounds perfect for her. I called my friend who works at Creed in Beverly Hills and had a scent created just for her. It's vaulted now so she has the one and only bottle made of it. I just hope she likes it." Erin says softly, taking a glance towards the gift bag at the gift table. Finish off her cake and wine, she smiles, "Sure, we can get out of here." A wave back to Atli, and a wink in her direction before her cousin disappears. "Shall we?"

"Let's." And Katy follows Erin out of the building. There was much catching up to do.