I HATE WHEN TAGS GO POOF

[moirabyrne]

Who: Everyone in town, SVP
What: Lulu's 20th Birthday Party!
When: August 8th, 8ish
Where: Lulu/Clarice/Moira abode

Note: If you can, subject your entry with the time your character got there, just for convenience.

Comments

[never_blink]

Clarice was not in the mood for a party. She'd been fiercely avoiding people for the last week, ever since the ball, pleading off work and the gymnastics practices. She was more mute than usual in front of Moira and Lulu, avoiding even them when she could manage it.

But it was Lulu's birthday. Lulu, who was always so good to her and who had made a fuss over Clarice's own birthday just a little while back. The mutant girl could not skip out on this party.

She'd spent most of the day helping Moira prepare for it, trying to feign an enthusiasm she didn't feel, until she could excuse herself to get changed. She'd already given Lulu her gift this morning: a pretty copper-plated trivet to keep hot pots and dishes off the countertops and table. Better yet, part of the proceeds went to charity. Clarice thought Lulu would appreciate that part too.

Now she just had to keep an eye on things and, well, socialize. Which she did by hiding out near the foot of the stairs.

[lulu8889]

Lulu had excused herself from her other guests when Clarice came downstairs. She looked adorable, but more troubled than usual. It wasn't quite the Clarice-nervousness about parties that she'd gotten used to. This was something else.

Going up to the purple girl, Lulu gave her a great big hug. "Thank you for everything, Clarice."

[never_blink]

Clarice hugged Lulu back, willingly letting her unhappiness be pushed to the back of her mind. At least she still had Lulu and Moira as friends. She hadn't given them a reason to be afraid of her - not yet anyway.

"I didn't - I really didn't do anything," she demurred, ducking her head in a habitual gesture. "It was all Moira, I just helped a little. Happy birthday..."

[lulu8889]

Lulu left an arm around Clarice's shoulder. "Thank you anyway. And for the present. And just for being here. I know parties aren't really your thing." Lulu smiled widely, and then bit her lip, concentrating. "Clarice? Is...there anything the matter?"

[never_blink]

Clarice stared up into Lulu's eyes and for a moment she almost told. Her friend would listen. Wouldn't be scared of her.

But it was Lulu's birthday, for god's sake. This wasn't the time to be dumping Clarice's problems on her.

Clarice donned a weak smile. "I'm okay. Thank you. Are you, um, are you enjoying the party?"

[lulu8889]

"I am enjoying the party. Lots. Thank you. I just..." Lulu paused. "You're not okay, though. There's something wrong and I'd really like to know if you're comfortable telling me. I mean. You're my friend. I don't want you to be upset."

[never_blink]

Clarice was terrible at lying, and Lulu knew her too well. She drooped.

"It's your birthday," she protested, voice dropping to a whisper. "Everybody's here to see you. You shouldn't be worrying about me now. I'm fine, I r-really am." She couldn't keep her voice from stumbling, and she winced. "If - if you really want - I'll tell you tomorrow. Not tonight. I don't want - the party. You're supposed to be enjoying it..."

[lulu8889]

Lulu frowned. "Why shouldn't I be worrying about one of my best friends? Worry transcends birthdays, you know." Clarice wasn't fine, as much as she protested that she was. "I do want to know. If I promise you that I won't stop enjoying the party if you tell me, will you please let me know what's wrong?" Lulu looked at Clarice earnestly. She really wanted to know.

[never_blink]

One thing about Lulu, no one could claim she wasn't persistent when she set her mind to something. Clarice berated herself for letting Lulu see that something was bothering her, because it was becoming increasingly obvious that she wasn't going to be able to brush this off now. She should have just gotten the party started and then stayed upstairs.

"It isn't anything..." It was one last feeble protest, and it didn't work any better than the preceding ones had. Lulu's gaze didn't waver. Clarice sighed, her shoulders hunching up a bit. "Do you remember - the ball? At Mr. Bingley's house? Did you - did you see anything, well, funny, there?" She knew she hadn't been the only one. People had mentioned it in the forums. Though it seemed no one had seen what she'd seen.

No one but Troy.

[lulu8889]

She nodded. "I remember the ball but. I didn't see anything funny. I remember reading about a bunch of people who had...what'd you see?" she asked, as gently as possible. Lulu was concerned about Clarice.