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]

[ he's grateful for both bobbi and daisy's efforts on his behalf, touched beyond words that they know him well enough to manage this affair and care to put it in action. no idea how he'll thank them, as of yet, so he starts by bringing daisy a refill. ]

So, 100 on account of my lively personality or my extended nap? [ he knows that was all daisy, naturally. an elbow into her side follows, playful. for once, he lets himself enjoy the boisterous mood of the evening. fitz clicks his tongue, gearing up for a bit. ] 'Cause it should teeeechnically be 104, if it's the latter.

[ the quirk at his mouth shows he's teasing, in his own pedantic way. ]

[evite]

[ fitz brings her another champagne, and she's at odds what to do. she takes it, obviously, because she's not a complete social heathen and she knows it'd be weirder to make fitz just stand there with it while she stared at him... but she doesn't exactly drink it, either. just sort of swirls it around in the glass. something to do with her hands, in any case.

to his question, she offers a soft chuckle, topped with a shake of her head. ]

Honestly? I forgot how old you were. [ not her proudest moment. ] I mean, I knew you were an old man on the inside, but you really don't look a day over thirty tonight.

[ tonight? this morning? whatever. ]

[retravel]

[ he almost chokes on his drink when she says she forgot and was just taking the piss. it's so — rude? Kind of a laugh. Very Daisy. it distracts him from any weirdness in her mood, for the moment. ]

Don't know if I can trust your perception now, do I. [ what with her FORGETTING, but it's teasing. ]

Can't believe everyone who's here, though. [ a lean to whisper conspiratorially. ] What on earth did you send them?

[ money! bribes! threats! ]

[evite]

A super cute picture of you, obviously.

[ has he not seen the evite? has someone not shown it to him in whispering conversation, complimenting him on his deadpan glare into the camera? well, well. daisy will have to do so now, finally sending it over to him thanks to instantaneous neural network delivery.

fitz might recognize the moment if only by his expression and the outfit — a late-night dinner, all three shield agents crowded in their apartment, binge-watching some trivia show and playing alongside the contestants. a category of sciences, one that ought to have been a landslide victory for fitz... had it not been for the final question, a trick if there ever was one, referencing scifi science instead of the real thing. daisy had known the answer, fitz had stumbled, and she'd gloated a few milliseconds too long for his liking.

'not funny', he'd deadpanned, and so daisy had snapped the shot in memory. only fitting to put it on an invitation. ]

You look so grouchy.