Afternoon Tea [Dated to 5/12]

[madeofstories]

It's taken her an entire day and most of the morning as well, but Grace is almost certain that everything is perfect. The table she's borrowed is set up in the clearing between her own hut and the stage, each place setting with its own small plate and tea cup (though some are mugs, as she's had to make due with what she could borrow from the

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[madeofstories]

It's not Grace's party. As such, Grace hasn't set a place for herself at the table, preferring instead to make sure all of Jason's guests are tended to: pouring tea, putting out more tea cakes-- there aren't many extra stashed in her hut nearby, but she's made sure to have a few at least-- and making sure everyone's going about afternoon tea the proper way.

While it's expected that Jason doesn't know how to conduct himself, she can't help but notice that some of his other friends seem uncomfortable as well. At least the words 'uncomfortable' and 'bored' don't seem to be synonymous in this case.

[prodigaljaybird]

The longer Grace doesn't sit, the more nervous Jason becomes, sure that he's doing something wrong, or is supposed to be up and filling teacups too. His cast would make the task slower, but not impossible, and finally he gets up, heading over to her. As much as he'd like to sit around and continue eating boar burgers and tiny cakes, it doesn't seem right that she's not doing it, too. "Should I - do you need help?"

[madeofstories]

"Absolutely not," Grace immediately replies, and she's already beginning to usher Jason back to his seat, "This is your party, and the guest of honor shouldn't have to worry about anything."

It would defeat the purpose to have Jason walking about doing all the work when he's supposed to be enjoying himself, after all.

[prodigaljaybird]

"You haven't even eaten anything," says Jason, surprised to find himself marched backwards towards his seat, but it's either that or run her over. "You gotta at least eat, you did all the work!"

[madeofstories]

"You assume I didn't have any beforehand," Grace replies, conspiratorial for the moment, as if she's not allowed to eat any at all. Really, she shouldn't have, but there's more than enough to go around.

[curiously_cora]

"This is brilliant, was it- are you Grace?" Coraline asked curiously. Jason wasn't really the type for tea parties but he seemed to be enjoying himself and Coraline wasn't quite sure why she hadn't thought of it herself sooner. "I'm Coraline, thank you so much for inviting me. I love tea parties, not many people here have them."

[madeofstories]

"That's me," Grace says with a bright smile when Coraline introduces herself. She remembers the other girl's name from when she'd dropped off all of the invitations. It's unique and lovely.

"I'm so glad you could come; someone's got to show Jason that not all parties are awful."

[curiously_cora]

Coraline smiled brightly, Coraline had been surprised a little at the invitation but Jason was honestly enjoying himself and she couldn't be happier. Coraline wanted Jason to have lots of friends that cared and from the looks of it he did.

"What sort of parties has he been going to that are awful?" Coraline asked curiously making a face. "He's a bit silly about little things but you know he's cool anyway even if he doesn't know you should get someone a birthday card and stuff. He's really cool with Max too."

[madeofstories]

"He just seemed so very sad at the party in the cave, you know?" Grace responds, thinking back to what a marvelous time she'd been having, only to come across Jason looking as though someone had kicked his puppy.

"I suppose... I just wanted to show him that there are other sorts of parties to like, if that one wasn't his type."

[curiously_cora]

Coraline didn't know because Coraline hadn't been invited to the Cool party at the cave. She'd heard about it afterwards but she hadn't been to it. Coraline was pretty sure if she had have found out and gone then Danny or Bill or Shari probably would have found her and dragged her home and embarassed her just to make sure she never, ever had any fun.

"I didn't- I didn't go to the party. I think, he thinks too much sometimes. I don't think he's ever just done something because he can." Coraline said. Coraline wasn't quite sure what life Jason had, had but it was quite different to hers. As distracted as her parents were Coraline's parents did love her and Coraline had always known that. "We should think of other parties to throw so he can experience them all. That and well, I really like parties."

[madeofstories]

Grace's expression brightens at that and she very nearly claps her hands together in delight.

"That's exactly that I wanted to do," she says, "If he's not a fan of raves or tea parties, then there are still so many he could like."

There are still fancy dress parties and of course there's high tea-- which is a slightly different affair than the one she's put on today-- and so many other different kinds of themed parties to try out. It just seems terribly awful for someone to not like parties at all. They're meant to be fun.

[curiously_cora]

Coraline smiled brighter as Grace explained her plan. It would be nice to show Jason the nicer side of the island, which was of course the people on it.

"Definitely fancy dress and maybe roller party and there are so many to choose from, he has to like one of them." Coraline said smiling. "He's really lucky to have a friend like you."

[irisewiththesun]

As royalty, Zuko's no stranger to formal occasions, nor is he unfamiliar with how to conduct himself at one. It's just a little unexpected to be going to something this fancy, here on the island; or more specifically, to be going to something this fancy for Jason. He doesn't really mind, though, since Jason's a friend, and he does like tea.

It's not hard to identify the hostess, and when she pauses for a moment he takes the opportunity to catch her eye. "Are you Grace?" he asks. "Thank you for the invitation, I'm honored to attend a party for Jason." He smiles, a faint one, and inclines his head and shoulders in a small bow.

[madeofstories]

Grace doesn't think she's ever been bowed to before; it's so lovely and formal that she can't help but curtsy, her grin widening as she does so. "I'm so glad you could come," she replies, "I'd really hoped that all of his friends could make it."

It makes her miss her own friends a bit-- Rich and Franky and Mini and Liv-- but she's decided to be happy for Jason instead of feeling sorry for herself.

[irisewiththesun]

Zuko's smile widens a little at Grace's curtsy, something he never really saw back home, but he finds it sweet somehow. "Did you put this all together yourself?" he asks. "It's really nice. I have to admit, though, tea where I'm from is a little different."

[madeofstories]

"Thanks. It wasn't really difficult. Not as difficult as a high tea, might have been, anyway," Grace replies, admittedly, a bit flattered by the compliment. "Is tea more formal where you come from, then?"