Here's to Another Year

[butterflyfactor]

Layla had found herself suddenly grateful for her excess of time on the island. It allowed her, two days before the fact, to pull together a fairly elaborate mystery starting with an unsigned missive in a mail box in the morning. It lead the protagonist on a lengthy trail across the island's various locals, forced said protagonist to interact with the island's various locals, and finally planted the protagonist at the foot of a bonfire piled high and burning brightly on the beach only to be faced with their closest friends and a modest array of food and drink. There was also Scrabble.

The sky was just starting to purple on the horizon as the sun set, which meant Madrox would be arriving imminently. Unless, of course, Layla's planning hadn't been perfect.

If there's one thing knowing the future would have been really goddamn handy for, it's planning a surprise party. Even with the attention I've paid this thing, there's no guarantee he'll come walking out of trees right on target. Because without knowing, you're just guessing. As if I'm not a poor enough candidate to host a gathering of superheroes, I hate the fact that I don't know how it's going to go, not for sure. But when Jamie does show up, I'm at least going to succeed in not letting all that uncertainty show.

She felt relief when she saw him, instead of the smug pride she would have preferred, but smiled with everyone else and said, "Surprise."

Comments

[howmanylives]

As a general rule, I don't pay much attention to my birthday. Time back home has this tendency to slip by without anyone noticing. One day you're just some know-it-all kid, and the next you're all grown up, floundering around like the rest of the world, too lost in the bigger picture to concern yourself with the little things like holidays and special occasions and smelling the roses.

Or maybe I'm just confusing my personal history with Layla's.

But I digress... Ever since I landed on Tabula Rasa last July, I've been all too cognizant of the passage of time. Maybe it's because, for once in my adult life, things are passing by slowly enough that I can make note of them as they happen. Maybe it's because I only have one life to live here. Or maybe -- and this is just a working theory, so bear with me -- it's because a year ago today, I tried to off myself so I could go sleep the big sleep. Bite the dust. Buy the farm.

Well, you get the idea.

Every day I live here is on borrowed time, all stolen from one bad choice some good people had the kindness to keep me from seeing through. That they're most of them here, on today of all days, doesn't go unappreciated. My surprise is genuine, and for a moment, it's easy to let my bitterness and disappointment about Theresa's current predicament from the past few weeks fade into the background like white noise.

The letter from that morning was still in Jamie's trench pocket, folded neatly in thirds. It had been an interesting day to say the least, fitting his classes and IPD patrol around Layla's -- Who else? -- wild goose chase, but in the end, he couldn't help but think the frustration of it all was worth it. He'd never had a surprise party before, not one he could remember, and though some of the guests in attendance caused him to question everyone's better judgment, he nevertheless grabbed a drink and milled around the fire, debating, for the moment, which part he was to play night -- the attention-seeker or the wallflower. Both had their perks, but as he'd learned over the course of a year and some change, he could only choose one.

[butterflyfactor.livejournal.com]

"You found us out, detective," Layla said as she approached him, holding a cup of juice and curling her bare toes in the sand. She stopped and smiled faintly up at him.

[howmanylives]

"Yup, I still got it," replied Jamie, puffing out his chest proudly for all of a second before he relaxed into a more natural posture, his smug expression replaced with something more fond. A part of him wished they were alone so that he might thank her properly, but he curbed the still novel impulse to kiss her, at least for the time being. They'd yet to acknowledge their relationship in public, after all, and even with so few guests in attendance, he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to risk an unfavorable reaction.

Okay, so I'm a coward. The Pope's Catholic, too, though, so what else is new?

"I can't believe you pulled this all together for little ol' me. You really that bored?"

[butterflyfactor.livejournal.com]

She shrugged a little, enigmatic smile remaining firmly in place.

"I haven't picked up whittling yet, so I couldn't make you a Maltese Falcon replica out of coral. Anyway, it's a worthy enough day to commemorate. And I got to arrange things," she said, "you know that's my shtick."

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

There are half a dozen reasons Terry can come up with on the spot as to why her presence is a bad idea, but she'd said she would come. And, despite it all, it is Jamie's birthday. She can put aside her feelings for an hour to wish one of her oldest friends a happy birthday -- even if friend is stretching it at the moment.

Catching him in one of the few moments he's alone, Terry gives him a smile. It doesn't feel real, but how could it be? Being happy is a bit of a stretch at the moment. "Happy birthday, Jamie."

[howmanylives]

She's about the last person I expect to see here. I mean, for one, Banshee must've spoken to her by now, and unless she's finally seen the error of her ways, realized what a mistake she was making in getting involved with that sad excuse of a man, I can't imagine we have a lot to say to each other. I look at her, now, and I don't see my old friend, just some sad shadow of the woman I once knew. It's like there's no fire anymore, no... feist. I don't know what to make of her.

"Could be happier," said Jamie, his earlier good mood somewhat dampened. He considered her for a moment with narrowed eyes, his head tilting to the side. "What did Layla offer you to get you to come?"

[un-gloved.livejournal.com]

Rogue had been nothing short of evasive with Layla, but the bottom line was she couldn't not see Jamie on his birthday. She was a ragged and still-recovering mess, and being around the others- her friends, she had to remind herself- made her nervous, but she could walk and so she could at least turn up to wish Jamie well. She liked Jamie, valued him as a better friend than a some people she'd known considerably longer. A year ago to the day she'd pulled him out of the fire, so to speak, and the fact that he was still there was more than enough reason to try and make herself look reasonably human and trek out to the bonfire.

"Jamie," she said, approaching him hesitantly from the shadowy line of the trees. If she could avoid getting pulled into the party proper, she'd do so at all costs.

[howmanylives]

At the sound of his name, Jamie turned in the direction of the voice, faint surprise registering over his face once he saw just who it was -- Rogue, out of bed, and hopefully sane. Starting towards her, he met her halfway, then pressed his free hand to her upper back to guide her away from the others.

"Hey, should you really be all the way out here?" he asked, looking at her with some concern. The last time he'd seen her, after all, she'd been him.

[un-gloved.livejournal.com]

"Ah've been- fine," she said haltingly, "nothin' since- anyway, I've been fine." She flashed him a smile and put a hand on his forearm, giving a quick squeeze.

"Just heard about this 'n wanted to say happy birthday."

[tearsthrulife.livejournal.com]

For Rahne, being all too aware of the events of a year earlier, the party had seemed like a perfect idea, one she wouldn't have missed for just about anything. The same would have held true either way, she was sure, Jamie being like family, and certainly her closest friend here, but this also marked how much had changed in that time. It still turned her stomach to think of what he had tried to do, but it was easier, too, not to dwell on it with something like this to focus her attention on instead. Layla had certainly done well with everything, especially when done so impromptu.

"Happy birthday, Jamie," she said without preamble after approaching, leaning in for a brief, one-armed hug and smiling at him when she straightened again. "Enjoying yuir party?"

[howmanylives]

Rahne Sinclair -- my best friend this side of Guido "Strong Guy" Carosella. If there's anyone I should tell about this thing going between Layla and I, it's her. I mean, we've known each other for years. It's just a matter of finding a way to break the news.

"Some of the guest list has me scratching my head, admittedly, but yeah, I'd say I'm enjoying myself," said Jamie, flashing her a fond smile. "Layla, she, uh... She really outdid herself."

[tearsthrulife.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't say it's too strange a group," Rahne said, surveying the small crowd and lifting her shoulders in a shrug. They weren't necessarily all people she would have expected to see together, but as far as she knew, at least, there was no one too out of place. Granted, she hadn't been paying all that much attention to the goings-on between them at the event, anyway. She was here for Jamie, not the rest of them. "But she did, and for something so last-minute, too. It was good of her to do all this, I wouldn't have known where to start. I'm glad ye're having a good time."

[mutant-gi-jesus.livejournal.com]

Cable had been a little surprised to be invited, he had to admit. If the memory of Madrox coming at him with a tree branch was any indication, he probably wasn't the birthday boy's favorite person. But, frankly, that was part of the reason he'd agreed to come. It was the sort of thing he found amusing.

Besides he liked Layla. Which was why he wasn't planning on doing anything more immediately provocative than just be there and drink.

Maybe smirk a little.

[butterflyfactor.livejournal.com]

"No smirking," Layla said in place of a greeting as she wandered over to stand by Cable's shoulder. Or elbow, more accurately.

"However subtly."

[mutant-gi-jesus.livejournal.com]

"That and glaring are my only expressions," he replied, "and it is a party."

[butterflyfactor.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure most of the people here will be more comfortable with the glaring, then," Layla mused, looking over the admittedly small group.

[segaboybrodie.livejournal.com]

When Brodie had gotten the invite in his mailbox, there wasn't a question of whether or not he'd attend. Even if he DID feel like he'd known Madrox better before he disappeared and came back all bearded and MOPEY, he still wasn't about to miss the guy's birthday.

Plus, Layla was hot, and far be it from him to say no to a hot chick.

He'd brought a shirt as a present; (http://www.laughitoff.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/im-with-stupid-final.jpg) it was the closest thing to fucking tolerable that the clothes box would give him. Brodie was mostly hoping the guy wouldn't get all serious about it and would appreciate it. Either he would and they'd both have a good laugh about it, or he wouldn't and he'd have ANOTHER comic book idol fucking pissed at him. Only, this time it'd be less SNIKT SNIKT MOTHERFUCKER and more EXPLODING PEOPLE FROM THE GODDAMN INSIDE.

Or maybe he'd just be all whiny and bearded and monologuing at him. Sometimes, it was hard to tell.

[howmanylives]

"That for me?" asked Madrox, hands shoved in his pockets as he tried to peer around Brodie's shoulder to get a look at what he was holding, though the guy having a couple of inches on him made the approach trickier than it might've been otherwise. "'Cause, I mean, if it is, really, Brodie, you shouldn't have."

[segaboybrodie.livejournal.com]

"HEY," Brodie said, holding the poorly-wrapped bundle just out of Madrox's reach. "You're supposed to wait for me to GIVE it to you, remember?"

Nontraditional island circumstances aside, some customs were fucking NECESSARY. It's not like there was a gift table or anything.

[drownondryland]

It's not precisely ideal, being here. The last day or so has been more than a little rough, if only because all Meredith can really do is stand by and watch and try her damnedest to keep from making things worse, and she remembers all too clearly what happened this time last year. And right now, she doesn't need prompting to think of drowning. She doesn't require reminders. What she needs is help forgetting.

But this is for Jamie, who's been one of her closer friends for a long time now. Not showing up never crossed her mind. That doesn't keep her from, for the most part, keeping to herself, figuring she can always leave early.

[howmanylives]

"Kinda wish you had good news for me after yesterday, not gonna lie, Doc," said Jamie, sidling up to Meredith with two drinks in hand. In spite of everything, he couldn't help but think she needed one more than he did, the party in its unexpectedness enough of a distraction from his assortment of problems. He nodded towards Theresa in the distance. "I'm assuming they've already spoken? Unless Sean just secretly killed the bastard and no one's found the body yet."

[drownondryland]

"You think I'd tell you if he did?" Meredith asked wryly. She took the drink with a thin, grateful smile, sipping it and tucking her hair behind one ear before she shook her head. Theresa's presence had been an unexpected surprise, one she wasn't sure how to respond to. She just had to hope the pair of them only needed time to cool off and then everything could be okay again. "Spoken might be a stretch. I think it was more yelling."

[nostoppinglife.livejournal.com]

The assorted company was very slightly different from usual, but there were enough people from before that there was a homey quality to the party for Moira. Whatever else the island threw at them or withheld, they had each other. It was something. It was quite a lot, actually. She smiled to herself as she stood by the fire, looking out at the sunset. Layla had chosen well. She'd have to tell the girl that later. For now, she just enjoyed the view.

[butterflyfactor.livejournal.com]

"Dr. MacTaggert," Layla greeted, stepping up beside the woman and offering her a cup.

"Red sky at night," she said in a faintly sing-song way, looking at the pink hue around the sun. "Or close enough, I guess."

[nostoppinglife.livejournal.com]

"A bit more good weather's nae much o' a surprise, lass," Moira said, but she smiled as she took the offered cup, lifting it in a kind of small salute. "Ye did well. Jamie looks pleased." That was the real marker of success tonight, and it wasn't much of a surprise either that Layla seemed to be behind that.