party post } let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find (forward dated to 1/28))

[krmvgivv]

Who: The WIRTHDAY BOY, Dipper, Mabel, anyone friends with Wirt/anyone who happens to show up.
Where: fourth floor tea room
When: forward dated to 1/28
Rating: unlikely to get higher than PG-13
Summary: It's Wirt's 17th birthday! Dipper and Mabel are in charge of planning, and Wirt doesn't want anything too big or crazy. So you know. Time for an open mic party.
The Story:

Invitations spread quietly by word of mouth. "Surprise Party. Come to the fourth floor tea room. Bring something to perform. Don't tell Wirt!" Dipper and Mabel make sure to tell the people they know are Wirt's friends, but they also expect word to get around. Others can hear about it or just come in. Wirt doesn't want a big party, but they're guessing the particulars of this party will keep it small.

By the time people start to arrive, the tea room's been transformed. It looks like the most cliche hipster cafe you can imagine, like a preteen girl's imagination made flesh. There are mismatched chairs and low windows and exposed brick, and a stage that looks more like a wooden platform than anything else. There's a coffee bar with tea and hot chocolate and lots of cookies and snacks piled high, plus a cake. There aren't any baristas here. Just a sign that reads Cafe Music and Wirts.

Price of admission is agreeing to perform something, though the birthday boy is excused from this unless he wants to go. It's supposed to be fun for him, after all.

Comments

[waitin]

Your dad sings and writes songs too?

( That's pretty cool. She smiles and then it widens into a smirk at what he says. )

Yep, cut it re-a-a-a-lly short. ..and then grew taller. A little. ( She's still pretty short but definitely taller than her eight year old self. )

[jamminshield]

That's right! [He responds proudly.] He used to be a one man band when he was younger, and he still plays songs all the time! [Especially when Steven makes him play one every time he tells him a story from his youth...

And he chuckles at her response.]

That explains it! Well, I'm happy to see you again at any size, Clementine. [At least it's helping him not to think of his troubles for the moment.]

[waitin]

That's pretty cool. ( Clementine's voice is warm when she responds to that, because it's true. It's pretty cool to have a dad who was in a one man band and still plays songs.

The musical talent must run in the family. )

Happy to see you too, Steven. ...you okay? ( She noticed his distraction. She kinda learned to be very perceptive in her own world to get a good read on people. )

[jamminshield]

[Steven nods in agreement about his dad being cool

But then as she goes on, his smile falters.]

Oh! Yeah, I- I'm okay! [But he knows that facade won't hold up. And Clementine had heard some of his problems the first time they met... maybe he might as well be more honest with her. So after a pause, he goes on.]

...I've just been... dealing with some stuff. I learned some new stuff about my mom that's really thrown me for a loop. But... I'm hangin' in there. [His smile returns, in a weaker form.]

[waitin]

( Clementine remembers what he'd said before about his mother during that Event- the Event that made it all the more difficult to talk about. She remembers how responsible Steven had felt, how hard it was to separate himself from his mother given the gem they shared. He said even then he couldn't turn his back on what she'd done even if he wasn't even around at the time to have any kind of say in it.

There's a frown of concern on her face. Worry in her expression. )

...you want to talk about it? I hear it helps. ( There's a soft, encouraging smile. ) I... remember what you told us all in that one Event. You feel responsible.

[jamminshield]

R-right. That time. [He recalls that with a frown.] Things have... changed since then.

[Steven leans against a wall and pauses as he gathers his thoughts.]

I don't even know how to explain it. Back then, I thought that my mom had - had shattered her enemy. ...But since then, I found out that it's not true. It was all faked. Normally that would be great and all, but in this case, it was because... because the two of them were secretly the same person all along.

[waitin]

( Clementine folds her arms loosely across her chest as she turns to look at Steven with a frown of concern. She remembers him speaking about the shattering part, but there is no way she's... able to prepare for this particular reveal.

Her mouth parts, and she stares, trying to wrap her head around it, but finding she can't- finding it's hard to. )

They were-- The same person all along? ( She releases a breath. ) Shit. I mean... geeze, that's a lot, Steven.

...why? Why would she fake all that?

[jamminshield]

[He frowns and confirms with a nod. Then he proceeds to look away thoughtfully while rubbing idly at the side of his head.]

It's... a really really long story, and I don't really fully understand the reasons myself. But basically... my mom used to be part of a bad crowd, that sent to her to colonize Earth and carry out this plan that would destroy all life. But she came to care for the life on Earth and wanted to protect it, except she didn't couldn't help the bad group to see reason.

[He knows it's a lot to wrap one's head around. Because he's still trying to process it all himself.]

So... she made up the other identity to rebel against herself instead, and faked her own shattering because... I guess she thought that would be the end of it. And... I guess she liked her new identity better?

[He gives a helpless shrug.]

[waitin]

( Clementine hisses out a low breath, closing her eyes as she tries to wrap her head around it- around everything he's saying. If it's this hard for her, she can only imagine how difficult it is for Steven who has to live with it, has to live in the aftermath of those choices. )

I'm sorry, Steven.

That sounds really complicated and really heavy. You're still left dealing with... everything that happened because of those choices, huh?

I'm glad at least she didn't shatter anyone for real. ( Because she remembers how upsetting that was, but this is still a lot- it's so much to have to handle. )

Even if it still must feel really heavy.

[jamminshield]

[He scratches at his head sheepishly. Trying to put it all into words really highlighted how confusing this all must sound to someone on the outside. But, it feels nice to talk about it at the same time.]

...Thanks, Clementine. Y-yeah... I've had some legacy to deal with, alright. [All of the consequences of her mistakes, the problems she had run away from.] And it still is a lot to deal with.

[He gives her a weak smile, easing on a bit as he goes on.]

But, I don't think it's as overwhelming now as when I first found out. I guess it helps that... that it doesn't really change much about my life here in Wonderland. I can think about it all I want, but I can't really deal about it until I'm back home again. [It's not the most ideal silver lining, but it still is one.]

[waitin]

( Clementine shakes her head after a moment, because she can see how it weighs on him even if she knows he's not really the type to let it show. He'd rather take care of other people, she thinks, or that's the impression she's gotten from him. )

It seems like it.

But I'm glad it's not so overwhelming now. You can definitely take your time at Wonderland to just still keep being you, but I know sometimes thinking of impending stuff happening back at home can be hard too. ( She really does with the raiders back in her world, just waiting for her to return to try to save everyone. ) So if you sometimes need to talk about it or to just kinda feel overwhelmed that's okay too.

You can find me if you want.

[jamminshield]

[Steven looks up at Clementine softly. He sniffles slightly as he nods.]

...Thanks, Clementine. I really appreciate that! Your understanding, and your offer. If I feel like I really need someone to talk to, I'll definitely keep you in mind!

[And now he's coming in for a hug!]

[waitin]

( Clementine doesn't really give hugs out often, but there are exceptions, and Steven's one of those cases where it'd be an exception. It's kind of helpless because Steven just has such a good, strong heart.

She wants that to stay even if she gets the world- worlds are tough at times, and it's hard.

She blinks a bit in surprise as he gets closer but then wraps her arms around him tight, hugging him back. )

You're welcome. ( she says and then pulls back slowly. ) I think one of the worst feelings anyone can have is feeling like you're alone, like you have to carry it all by yourself. But you're not alone.

[jamminshield]

[It felt like the time for a hug. And though he likes to think everyone could always use a hug, he knows that's not always the case. He was ready to back off if Clementine seems to indicate otherwise, but the hug ends up happening. And it's awesome! He hugs her for a few moments before pulling back and looking up at her, with a soft smile.]

I know. I'm never alone. [Not at home, not here. He always has someone looking out for him, and he's grateful for that, even as he strives to solve more of his problems for himself.] Especially not when I have friends like you around.