InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "KAT. I <3 YOU."

erniedtmac (erniedtmac) wrote in finnigans_rpg,
@ 2014-09-23 20:22:00

Entry tags:

character: dean thomas, character: ernie macmillan, character: justin finch-fletchley, character: seamus finnigan, character: susan bones

Who: Justin, Ernie, and OPEN to Justin's friends (you may presume Ernie has sent them all invites!)
What: A happy badger birthday to Justin - low-key because some people have to work!
Where: Ernie's flat - food & drinks on the patio, couch and big bed available for cuddlepiles.
When: Monday, September 22, later in the evening (backdated)
Status: OPENish / Ongoing

Because Justin's birthday fell on a weekday, Ernie had decided to save the wild clubbing night for an upcoming weekend, and instead had invited some of their friends over to his place for dinner, drinks, and conversation. He loved entertaining at his Muggle-area London flat - there were twinkling fairy lights out on the patio, which he'd furnished magically (and thankfully the spells weren't set to reverse until after midnight), the bed and sofa were full of pillows and blankets for cuddling, and the place was cleaner than the oft messy Ernie tended to keep it (but if he didn't, what would Hannah have to clean when she came to visit?).

Ernie had also decided to do all the cooking himself with a little help from his Mum, who had stayed for the meal before leaving for the night. He knew that not all of their friends could make it, and some couldn't make it until later, but he was glad to have those that were there around.

But more than anything, this was Justin's day and Ernie was just glad to be able to spend it with his best mate. After dinner, he'd brought out a large store-bought cake topped with sparkling candles for Justin to blow out, then had passed around bottles of wine and soda for people to drink.

It was now after dinner, the food mostly cleared away, and Ernie was sat next to Justin and their friends - life was good. He took the opportunity to stand and hold his glass of wine aloft, calling for quiet before he made a toast.

"To Justin Finch-Fletchley, the best mate a man could ever have. Long may your chimney smoke," he began, quoting an old Scottish blessing his father used to say, but then smirked. "And may you smoke many a long chimney."

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

Dean and Open

artistdean
2014-09-25 06:17 pm UTC (link)

Dean had, as he'd predicted, been running late to Ernie's party for Justin. He'd been hit by inspiration on Sunday afternoon after remembering the children playing in the park and although he had managed to sleep the previous night he had been hard at work all day. Ophelia had managed to remind him to eat something not long after lunch when she dropped off some coffee, but by the time he looked at the time again he should have already left. Then Ophelia had dropped in to say goodbye for the day and she'd kissed him. It was the first time she'd kissed him on anything other than his cheek and he thought it might have been slightly accidental because of the way he turned his head. But there had been smiling and a touch of blushing on her part, and a couple more kisses.

To cut a long story short he'd turned up part way through dessert and forgotten to pay attention to basically any of the conversation properly. After food he'd wandered his way out to the patio and settled himself on one of the sofas with a glass of something fizzy and non-alcoholic and was trying very hard not to grin like a fool.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-26 02:58 pm UTC (link)

Justin ran his hand through his hair and looked around, pretty pleased with the party. It was amazing to have his friends around for one evening and he liked how casual it all was. His parents had tried to plan something for him, but thankfully he had turned them down just in time.. 3 months ago.

Yes, it was how much time was required to plan a birthday party in his family and he was more than glad not to be over there with all of them pretending they cared about him.

Needing some air, though, he walked over to the patio and breathed in deeply. The weather was perfect. After his talk with Ernie, he still wasn't sure if his mate understood what he had tried to tell him after all.

He noticed someone sitting there and he grinned. "Hey Dean," he said softly. "How's it going?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-26 04:12 pm UTC (link)

Dean jumped slightly, having been staring into space, paying attention to very little when Justin addressed him.

"Oh, hey, Justin," he said, smiling. "Not so bad, pretty busy, how about you? Aside from the birthday of course. Er, Happy Birthday," he added belatedly. Of course that was the point he realised he'd forgotten to bring the cupcakes he'd made for Justin with him. He tended towards being bad at presents for most people, but decent cupcakes didn't tend to go down badly with many people.

"I, er, forgot your present. You should let me know what sort of cupcakes you like and I'll send you some. I had some to bring and forgot when I was running late," he said, apologetic.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-26 04:18 pm UTC (link)

Justin smiled at Dean. "Thanks." He said softly, leaning in against the wall nearest to him. He had refilled his wine before walking out to the patio and wondered if it was such a good idea. Ah well, Ernie had mentioned extra space for people to crash in, so he might take him up on his offer.

"Busy too, I suppose. I'm in the middle of a 9 days stretch at the hospital, I really wish I could have a day off right about now, but hey, that's work huh?" He told Dean, then heard cupcakes and of course his sweet tooth was getting the best of him.

"I'm easily pleased with cupcakes, really. The only thing I don't like are weird flavors like avocado, beet or tomato." He chuckled. Justin had never seen these flavors before, but surely someone had tried them, right?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-26 06:03 pm UTC (link)

Dean wrinkled his nose at the idea of working so many days straight in an environment where lives depended on you. It was nothing he ever wanted to experience really. At least he could take days off from art when he wanted or needed to.

"So the chocolate and beetroot ones are out, although they can be a bit dry to be honest, but regular lemon or raspberry should be fine. Or raspberry with lemon topping. I can do that," he said with a smile.

"Oh, sorry I was late by the way, I hope the rest of the food was as good as dessert," he said. He couldn't help but flash back to the extra reason for his delay and have to suppress another silly smile.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-26 07:16 pm UTC (link)

"Oh raspberry and lemon.." Just thinking about it made him want one, but he was too full and shouldn't even consider it at all. "But really, does the chocolate and beetroot one tastes like beet?"

Justin shook his head. "Hey, no problem. You are here right now that's what's important. Everyone has lives, it's not like we're a bunch of kids with no responsibilities." He said, then he shrugged. "I would't call it late anyway." He tilted his head on the side a little and smiled.

"So how's it going for you lately?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-26 08:51 pm UTC (link)

"No, not really. I think it's meant to add moisture but I never really found that. It's sort of like how carrot cake doesn't really taste of carrots. Mind you I possibly just put too much flour or something, given my baking habits I wouldn't be surprised." He shrugged. Those cupcakes hadn't gone well and he'd not bothered trying again when he had so many other options.

When Justin mentioned responsibilities he took a breath to point out kissing attractive women wasn't exactly a responsibility so much as an indulgence, but honestly that had only delayed him by a further ten minutes. He was already going to miss most of dinner.

"Oh, you know, paint splattered, not bad though," he couldn't help but break into a slightly more smug smile for a few seconds, before he bit his lips. He could feel the smile breaking out around the corners, and relaxed back, taking a sip of his drink to try and cover it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-26 10:20 pm UTC (link)

"I like carrot cake too and it's true that it's funny how they don't taste like veggies either." He said, pondering the fact for a moment. "At least you do bake. I tried to make pancakes the other day and they were a disaster."

Justin narrowed his eyes as he observed Dean and smirked. "Well, you seem to be in a really good mood though." he remarked before sipping his wine. He supposed it meant that things were going well at work.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-26 11:31 pm UTC (link)

Dean shrugged, he knew both good and terrible cooks around his own age. "I have a very insistent mother and aunt. I learned to cook and bake. Plus I was eldest so I had to help out." He tilted his head. Pancakes weren't something he made very often. "What happened to them? It can't be as bad as when I over-chilli things and feed them to unsuspecting friends."

Dean ducked his head and smiled again. "Yeah, I, er, had a good day," he said evasively. "I mean, busy and everything, but it ended well. And now I'm here with friendly faces," he said brightly. He was a bit of a terrible liar really, but it was so new he didn't really want to talk about it. Maybe to Susan.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-27 12:33 am UTC (link)

Justin chuckled. "How do you over-chilli? Like.." He wondered if he meant the mixture with ground meat and beans or just the hotness of the food. "You put a bunch of hot spices when you feed your friends?" Surely that was a little entertaining right?

"I just.." He ran his fingers through his hair and chuckled. "I don't know they ended up all mangled and they didn't taste right." Justin frowned. "And they looked wrong, they were rising in the pan." He was used to crêpes and was pretty sure they didn't rise like that.

"Ah, good day are good, then." He answered with a chuckle.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-27 10:50 am UTC (link)

"When you're using chilli flakes to give the fresh ones a boost and jog your hand a bit far. Or you just underestimate how hot the chilli's are. I mean it was fine for me, but Seamus doesn't tend to appreciate it." He shrugged, being a fan of hot food it tended not to bother him more than for the couple of seconds it was a surprise.

Dean nodded thoughtfully. "They sound like American pancakes. Those are supposed to rise a bit, the usual ones here don't really. Although they're both pretty messy if you turn them too soon," he said.

"Yeah, good days are good."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-27 01:48 pm UTC (link)

Justin chuckled. "Oh, I see what you mean. Accidental scalding?" He asked with a grin. It was something new that he didn't know about Seamus and it made Justin smile. "I have an inkling that he might have a sweet tooth, but I didn't know that he doesn't like heat though." And he had understood that from Seamus's appreciation of the Sweet Nothings' breakfasts he brought home when they were together.

"Ah, must be it. I thought crêpes and pancakes were the same thing, just.. different languages. I might try to research that a bit." He wanted to learn how to cook and maybe he should really get into this. It wasn't about money, it was about the satisfaction.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-27 08:42 pm UTC (link)

"Yeah, a lot of emergency milk intake," he said with an amused grin. "Oh, he'll eat most things that aren't too spicy, but sweet is good," he agreed. Best not mention some of his more creative an unusual offerings, most people wouldn't come up with them anyway.

Dean shrugged. "No idea, people give me recipes, I cook things. Sometimes I throw things in a pan until it works out," he said. "Well, assuming I remember." He sipped his drink.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

friendlyjustin
2014-09-27 10:07 pm UTC (link)

Justin laughed at Dean's comment about the emergency milk. Himself couldn't handle heat much and had learned very quickly about the milk trick. "I keep wanting to learn how to cook, but my own personal attempts are so downright terrible, I'm considering taking a class. You know, if I at least learn how to cut and slice without hurting myself it'll be a nice achievement." he said softly, deciding against answering 'I know' to the comment about sweets being good as far as Seamus was concerned.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Dean and Justin

artistdean
2014-09-27 10:32 pm UTC (link)

Dean winced at the idea of slicing his fingers. Not that he hadn't caught himself a time or two, but his hands were essential to his livelihood. There was a reason a severed hand used to be his boggart. He doubted it was any longer, but had zero desire to check.

"The trick is not to go too fast, and keep your fingers tucked away," he said, demonstrating with is free hand how to curl the tips of his fingers away from a knife. "I think there are spells too, but I learned from muggle family so I don't use magic." He shrugged. It was what it was.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Dean and Justin friendlyjustin 2014-09-28 04:33 pm UTC (link)
	Justin observed Dean's demontration and nodded. "I'll have to try that. I seriously need to start making my own food." It wasn't a matter of cost nearly as much as it was a matter of pride too. Making your own food, or cooking for someone else even could be something nice in his life at this point. (Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -