You say it's your birthday

[3x2_9yz_4a]

Everything has been set up at the brownstone, on this clear crisp day in April.

With Ma Hunkel's assistance, food had been prepared, along with a BBQ currently heating up and sending scented smoke up into the air.

And invitations had been sent out to everyone that Jesse could think of, that simply said, Come help us celebrate the birthday of one

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[lanterns_light]

A green butler tray appears in front of Jesse, bearing a warm piece of her favorite pie, a scoop of ice cream, and a tall glass of milk.

[miraclo3]

He looks to Zatara's back, pondering scraping part of the pie off, before waving with a "forget about it" look. His attention span, rapid as it is, then turns to something shiny in the corner.

[lanterns_light]

Alan looks at Hourman, then at his daughter, then at Rick, then at the heavens. "Give me strength," he sighs with a small laugh. "Go socialize, pumpkin. I'll be fine."

[anaturalgreen]

She lays a kiss on the back of his hand, strength in it like what she can only dream of.

"I love you, Dad. Lemme know if you need anything, 'k?" A squeeze of his hand, and she's off in Rick's direction, looking back once to give her father a grin and a wink.

[miraclo3]

He can't find the shiny object. Instead, he's tilted a beer up and is staring at the spot where it came from.

"I know...I saw something here. Not sure what, but stuff like that, especially here? Worries me." He turns, giving Jenny a glance. "Hello Jenn. What's going on?"

[anaturalgreen]

"Hey baby, just figured I'd come on over and say hi." On her tiptoes she smooches his cheek, and then looks at the beer in his hand.

"That looks marvelous. Where are they hiding those?"

[miraclo3]

He's taken aback some by the kiss on the cheek. "Wait...isn't big Irish in the area? He can smell the fear on someone you know." Rick takes a swig of beer before looking back. "Ted keeps a stash for emergencies. Whoever finishes the last one, replaces it. Its a tradition he, my dad, and Al Pratt started years ago. Then they let Teddy Knight in on it, and things got out of hand."

He gives her a slight hip bump. "speaking of looking marvelous."

[anaturalgreen]

"Don't worry, he knows."

A blink, and she looks up at him, worry creased across her forehead.

"I hope that's OK? Is it? Never really talked about that..."

[miraclo3]

"He knows?" He blinks in response, taking another drink of beer and glancing back to where Alan was. "Oh...well...sure. I'm good with it but...you know. Some things have their place, right?"

He's back to facing the rest of the group, after handing her a beer bottle. "We can't let it distract."

[anaturalgreen]

That brow is still furrowed, but more with confusion.

"Distract from..."

Bottle cap gets removed with one twist of green-strengthened fingers.

[miraclo3]

"You know what happens when you get too public. Big ass bulls-eye gets painted on. Not just with rogues or other bastards, but with friends as well. People choose sides, and our thoughts become...not just the individuals, but "the couple's"." Another pull of beer. "Not that its a bad thing some ways, but...you won't get your own opinion. You make a point, and folk will always glance over to see what I'm saying. Take Hawkgirl and Flintstone. Or Midnite and Dinah. Or PeeGee and...Midnite and Dinah! See what I mean? Forget about it, lets just have some fun, alright?"

[anaturalgreen]

"Or the other way around? You'll make a point, do something stupid, they'll all look over and see what I have to say about it?"

A deep draught of beer and a deep breath, followed by a nice wide close-lipped smile.

"Right. Fun. Fun will be had. I'm just gonna go get some food, mingle a little, make sure that the new kid hasn't set anyone on fire." Her beer bottle gets clinked against his, and she turns to go.