I CAN'T IMAGINE THERE'S A WAY —

[retravel]

WHO: Fitz, SHIELD, and you!
WHERE: New Amsterdam's medium-est bar: Refraction
WHEN: 01 September
WHAT: Leo's turning 31 100
NOTES OR WARNINGS: TBA

[ On his actual birthday, Fitz celebrates with his two closest friends (the people who’ve kept him together, despite wobbles along the way). Bobbi and Daisy, however, know that when Fitz says I hate people and don’t want to celebrate in the middle of a secret war he means I hate being alone, even on days without symbolic meaning. Daisy and Bobbi send out the mass evite, and Bobbi uses her powers of persuasion to find a more upscale venue for a discounted rate. Due to the flipped schedules in the height of New Amsterdam’s summer, Fitz’s party happens in the morning (the new night for anyone working a 9-5 gig), sun rising high over the city as it begins.

Welcome to REFRACTION, a classy bar tens of floors off the ground, with a stellar view of the city, not far from the river. Beams of light weave across the back area of the venue, well-lit by various glowing fixtures. Something about the place has an old world flair, with its dark colour scheme and minimalist decor. Maybe today’s an acceptable excuse to dress smart, celebrate with a friend, and drink up:

— enjoy the food (which might have had British roots at one point, but it’s hard to tell given the variety of fusions on display in bite-size portions) and initial round of free fizz, compliments of the host (and the host’s super stem friends)
— buy drinks at the bar and get wankered (as the birthday boy will be, around the new midnight)
— people watch from the tables and sofas
— dance to NA’s top synth pop hits (coming through hidden speakers above and holograms of the singers at some tables, activated by the proximity of nearby implant viewers)
— try a piece of cake, reading Happy 100th Birthday, Fitz! and looking a bit like it came from the same space-themed, child's birthday do as the evite. If your piece of cake has a wee star inside it, it means you’re one of the lucky winners and get a freebie at the bar.

As a nice establishment, rowdiness will only get you tossed on your arse by the bouncers, so everybody be cool.

At one point, someone nudges Fitz forward to say something. Dressed in his finest blues, he cuts a smarter figure than the usual corporate cut-out. ]

Right. [ said in the tight voice of someone who is definitely on the verge of crushing the flute in his hand. ] I never know what to say, and I didn't have time to prepare because, ah. Surprise. [ he splays out his free hand. ] So I will just say that — that there's someone I wish was here, despite all the horrible happenings, but that I am so so grateful that you're all here despite them, too. It's not for — forever, but it's pretty nice. Right now. [ As another SHIELD agent said: We have what we have when we have it. That's it. ] Thank you. Cheers!

( if you don't think the SHIELD losers would have invited your character, please feel free to come up with a semi-plausible reason for attending. gatecrashing, plus ones, hearing the commotion and wanting to be nosy. all are welcome! )

Comments

[retravel]

[ after seeing illya in the ring, fitz knows better than to sneak up on him — as a matter of fact, he doesn't think he could surprise the big guy. his comrade certainly has some form of service in his file, alongside an intelligence that matches his strength.

when illya spots him approaching the bar, fitz decides to hazard a clap on his associate-slash-maybe-friend's back, there and gone. he's a little chuffed that the guy came, okay. ]

Finally having a proper drink, are we, Illya. [ quipped as he walks around to face illya, a tumbler held in one hand. everything about him is looser tonight, with his smile a touch wider than his usual, measured expressions would allow. ] I'm honoured to warrant it, in some small part.

[ probably helps that illya's as off-duty as he gets, simply by showing up here. ]

[kgbs]

It seemed like the best occasion to do so. [ congratulations fitz, his first actual drink since he'd arrived. you were just ticking off a lot of his firsts in this godforsaken city. he raises his glass and nods. ]

Happy birthday. [ it's said gruffly but that's his default tone, really. the fact that he says it without provocation is what's important. ] I cannot remember the last time I celebrated a birthday of mine.

[ it had been a very, very long time. perhaps when he'd been a boy and his parents had still been together and cohesive. ]

[retravel]

[ his mouth splits wide, surprised by the admission and the birthday wishes. in truth, a lot of the presences here amaze him, in one way or another. he never thought he'd last this long without jemma — or find so many good people, at the furthest reaches of the multiverse.

illya's remarks, however gruff, make fitz think he's one of those people. ]

Thank you. [ too soft... but the rest of illya's talk doesn't surprise him. his approximate point of origin in the timeline isn't birthday-friendly. ] If we're still stuck here when your birthday rolls around, I'll buy lunch.

[kgbs]

That's kind of you. [ that would, of course, require illya to acknowledge his birthday, something he hadn't done for awhile now either. it came, it went and he was older. that was how time worked and he'd never seen reason to celebrate. ]

I don't think I want to be stuck here that long but I suppose it is not my choice, is it? [ it was...someone's choice but not his. ]

If I am still here on my birthday, expect to find me in the fighting ring, celebrating that way as well.

[retravel]

[ fitz won't press for a date (though after he sees illy and gaby speaking later, he might try another route to that information). his smile remains steady. ]

What are friends for, right.

[ not a question, that. oh, it's far too late now for takebacks now, buddy. ]

[ mildly, ] I take that to mean you're finding success there.

[ this may be his birthday, but illya sits at the nexus of friendship and strategy here. checking in now is — harmless. he can't make fight club every night or even every week, anyway. too busy. ]

[kgbs]

It's slow but yes.

[ he knows that he has to build up a reputation, build up trust. he cannot just walk into a place and be immediately let into inner workings of a gang just because he might be a good fighter. ]

Nothing worth talking about but I am getting looks. And a few of them have bet on me. [ which he takes as them paying attention, as them taking notice and he can cultivate that. ]

[retravel]

[ nodding. ] All steps in the right direction.

[ on track for building trust and securing alliances, yes. ]

Have you been picking up work anywhere else?

[ in the city or with Morningstar. it's all of interest. ]

[kgbs]

I haven't even looked.

[ which was his own fault. ]

I do not know what I'd do or how I'd utilize my previous skills into something here. I don't want to sit behind a desk.